Autumn Tints Wednesday 29th August.
After overnight rain it was a dry start with a cool south westerly wind as members gathered at Greystoke.
They were Maurice, Roy, Tom, Sue, John, Anita, John R, Maggie and Stewart,
Stewart having his first proper ride out with the club since his accident.
Leaving the car park Stewart led the group out of Greystoke on a quiet back road to the A66 where they crossed to follow the lanes to Dacre.
Eventually after constantly climbing and descending they reached Dacre this was followed by the hardest climb of the day.
Regrouping at the top was followed by a welcome descent to join the busy A592 to Pooley Bridge for a tea and coffee stop.
Making the best of the good weather they sat outside overlooking the River Eamont tucking in to a variety of cakes and scones.
Leaving Pooley Bridge on the B5320 they passed through Tirrel and Yanwath to join the A6 at Eamont Bridge, before turning left to Brougham Hall.
Sat outside again soaking up the sun at Bettyann's Tea Parlour it was more food for the group just having eaten seven miles back. I'm
Lunch and natter over it was back in the saddle heading for Brougham Castle stopping to look at the Castle and the newly repaired bridge damaged in the 2015 floods.
Taking the underpass under the A66 the group then negotiated their way through Penrith to Thacka Lane passing under the M6 to Newton Rigg College.
Leaving the College grounds familiar to Anita having studied horticulture there it was back on the road to Newton Reigny.
For those collecting tour points Maurice led the group to Catterlen Hall before continuing on to Greystoke.
Following Sustrans route 7 through Laithes, to route 71 just before Blencow for the final couple of miles back to Greystoke and parked vehicles.
Sunday 26th August Post House Deanscales.
On a wet morning Tom drove from Whitehaven to join Sue, John and Roy to ride to Deanscales.
All togged up in wet weather gear the four left Braithwaite to join the A66 at Beck Wythop with the rain starting to ease of slightly.
On reaching Dubwath John phoned Dianne, who had hoped to join the four but due to the weather decided against it, instead she invited the four for drinks.
Instead of using the old road through Embleton they continued on up the A66 to the roundabout at Brewers Fayre where they turned right to Dianne's.
After a welcome cup of tea and coffee, and the rain having stopped the group set off, this time with Dianne leading the way up the A5086 to Paddle School.
Turning right it was on through Eaglesfield to Deanscales to find Maurice, Steve H, Dave, Maggie, Stewart, Tracy and Brian already having lunch.
Late arrival Stuart (a new future member) had a good talk with Dianne probably about the environment, followed later still by Paul just as the majority were leaving.
Eventually after talking to Paul the two wheel group made a move having seen the rest disappear on four wheels back home.
Leaving Deanscales by the lanes it was onto Paddle School where they said goodbye to Dianne, leaving them to make their way back to Branthwaite.
After negotiating the undulating roads from Southwaite they eventually joined the A66 at Dubwath for the final five miles back to Braithwaite on what turned out a dry afternoon.
Autumn Tints Wednesday 22nd August Brewers Fayre (No ride due to the weather)
Sunday 19th August Clu Run Wheatsheaf Inn, Abbeytown by Steve Lunt
Riders Meeting at the Mealbreak Hotel, Chapel Brow were John and Sue, Roy Maurice, Anita, New member Stuart, and Steve L. Tom appeared but had to pull out of today's outing due to a medical condition.
Maurice rode with us as far as Maryport Marina and then returned to the Melbreak for his car due to tired legs (and wanting to be alone) having been out the day before in the strong winds etc.
The rest of us taking a well used route along the promenade, passing through the golf course to cross the B5300 onto the cycle path alongside the road all the way up to Allonby and a short stretch further on and turn up to Salta and on to Mawbray. Then it was eastwards to pass through Holme St. Cuthbert and Tarns and then the tiny hamlet of Aldoth. Now heading North-eastwards and couple of long straight stretches brought us to Abbeytown and the lunch break at the Wheatsheaf Inn.
At the pub we met up with Bacca and Tracy who had done a circular ride out from Abbeytown to include Waverbridge and Lesson Hall.
Later, a quick debate over the best route back. “Same route OK” was chosen as we had already covered 25miles out! So a general retrace of our outward trip ensued although the return along a little rough road via Aldoth seemed a little different. Nevertheless the route close to Tarns and through the quirky little village of Holme St. Cuthbert were familiar territory so soon we were back on the coastal way via Salta and south to Allonby and so to Maryport where a cup of tea or coffee seemed like a good idea! Following on: the run from Maryport to Workington and through the Curwen Park was OK but the climb up the hill to Stainburn was quite challenging, but not too long. Before long we had rounded the gentle curve leading to the large Chapel Brow roundabout and onto our cars at the Melbreak Hotel and the finish of our ride for today. (50miles)
Autumn Tints Tuesday 14th August Ravenglass.
Due to the long range forecast for Wednesday being wet the ride was put forward to Tuesday, over Sunday lunch it was agreed to go to Ravenglass, with the start point being Summergrove.
With most members otherwise committed only six members made it to Summergrove they were Maurice, Tom, Dave, Roy, Sue and John.
Roy turned up at John R's thinking that was the start point, John unable to join the group on the ride due to a chipped windscreen on his motor home, loaded his bike into Roy's car to direct him to Summergrove.
After coffee the group left the grounds with light rain falling heading for Moor Row leaving John R to make his way back home.
Carrying on through Moor Row they eventually joined the cycle way into Egremont followed by climb to Thornhill, stopping in Beckermet to do a reckon on the Royal Oak. (A possible Sunday venue)
Back in the saddle it was back on the cycle way to Sellafield to join the mixed surfaced track to Seascales.
Dave having refused to ride this track left the group in Beckermet to use the main road Sue not liking this track suffered a cut leg that needed a large patch.
By the time Sue and John arrived in Seascales the remainder were drinking tea and coffee outside the Pudding Lane café.
Setting of again it was a race to beat the tide at Saltcoats instead of using the main road from Holmrook to Ravenglass.
Maurice was quite confident we would beat the tide which proved right as the group reached the foreshore to make their way over the viaduct into Ravenglass to find Dave.
Over a good lunch in the, Inn at Ravenglass with a view through the window of the rising tide it looked more likely that the group would have to use the main road.
Eventually bums started to move from seats to saddles, leaving the busy village behind to encounter the long climb to join the A595.
Regrouping at the top was followed by a fast descent towards Holmrook where they turned left back to Seascales, for John and Roy to get an ice cream.
Tom with an evening commitment carried on, while Dave headed to Gosforth to use the main road leaving the rest to use the track to Sellafield.
Following their wheel tracks it was back through Beckermet to Thornhill where Maurice said goodbye leaving the Brathwaite trio to make their way back to Summergrove.
Sunday 12th August Waverley Hotel Whitehaven.
On a wet cloudy morning Sue and John on their e-bikes set of from Braithwaite at 9.30 heading through Thornthwaite to join the A66.
Once on the A66 they continued to the Brewers Fayre where they stopped for a quick break before joining the A66 again to the old road into Brigham.
Away from the traffic they headed to Bridgefoot to join the cycle track to Whitehaven passing Roy's car parked at the Melbreak, who had arranged to meet Tom and Steve.
The rain having stopped it was into the wind as they made their way to Lillyhall and Distington with the sun starting to make a brief appearance.
On arrival in Whitehaven they met up with Roy, Tom and Steve on the harbour having had a tour round with seafarer Tom.
After a brief chat about boats it was off to the Waverley Hotel for lunch to find Maurice, Steve H and Dave along with Mavis and John.
A good lunch and long discussions orchestrated by Dave left members oblivious of the time until the waitresses came to clear the tables.
Deciding it was time to leave, Maurice and Steve having departed earlier, Tom and Steve having got no miles in joined the Braithwaite trio back to the Melbreak for tea and biscuits.
Sat outside in the sun was a total contrast from the early morning rain and wind before setting of in different directions.
Tom and Steve back to Whitehaven, while Roy loaded his bike into the car, leaving Sue and John to cycle back to Braithwaite.
Autumn Tints Wednesday 8th August Aquarium Maryport.
On cloudy morning with rain forcast ten members made their way to Sue and Paul's for tea coffee and biscuits.
They were Maurice, Roy, Tom, Sue, John, Steve and his granddaughters Millie and Romy and John R with grandson Sam.
Eventually the group made a move only to take shelter under the trees as it started to rain having ventured out onto the road.
With the shower having passed over the group headed down the village heading for Greysouthen with Maurice and Millie on the front.
With a mostly downhill start to Brigefoot was followed by the climb up Chapel Brow where the young ones showed the oldies how to get up hills.
After regrouping at the top it was on through Great Clifton and Stainburn to join the cycle way through Curwin Park.
On the north side of Workington passing Siddick ponds one noticed there had been a heavy shower with puddles of water.
Thinking they had got away with that, the heavens opened up with everyone stopping to cape up, the rain stopping as quick as it started.
With a following wind the pace increased as they headed towards Flimby looking out for Stewart who had parked up in Allonby.
Approaching Maryport Stewart was spotted coming in the opposite direction have battled into the wind from Allonby.
Finally the group thirteen strong arrived at the Aquarium for lunch to be joined by Dave and Ivan having both cycled from home.
As luck would have it they managed to find three empty tables close together, where most enjoyed a bacon or fried egg bap.
After lunch it was agreed to ride back with Stewart as far as Mealo House where the group turned right towards Allerby to cross the A596 to Gilcrux.
From Gilcrux it was the usual route back through Tallentire and Bridekirkback to parked cars at the Brewers Fayre and Eaglesfield.
Sunday 5th August Stag Inn Crosby. by Roy Jackson
On a dry, warm morning, Sue and John M, John R, Tom and Roy assembled at the Brewers Fayre.
Led by Roy the group rode up the A66 to the roundabout, turned left on the cycle route to Broughton Cross then Bridgefoot, Workington.
Then the cycle track past Siddick Ponds to Maryport where they joined the A596 to the Stag Inn at Crosby, where it was very nice to see Maggie and Stewart.
They had ridden from Maryport Promenade, Stewart's first ride with the club since he broke his hip.
Also at the Stag were Tracy, Brian and Dave, Tracy and Brian having done a circuit from Silloth via Abbeytown, Dave having ridden from Workington.
After a good lunch Tracy and Brian departed first followed by Maggie and Stewart,
the rest of the group left last, turning right to Crosscannonby, then to Maryport.
On the track near Siddick Ponds, Sue punctured John changed the tube, which went flat straight away caused by a previous patch splitting.
After John put a patch over the original patch and that lasted as far as the footbridge at Workington and went flat again.
After fitting another new tube, the rest of the ride passed without incident, via Branthwaite, Dean, Deanscales and Eaglesfield back to Brewers Fayre for about 6pm.
Sunday 5th August Maurice's Ride by Maurice Cowley
This Sunday Maurice (I want to alone) wanted a change of route other than in the area that was to be used to reach the planned meet at the Stag Inn, Crosby having been riding in that area quite a few times during the year, so he took the car and parked at the bridge just below George 4th Inn at Eskdale to start his ride and to collect points for the Tour Competition.
He passed the George the 4th on his way and took the road towards Hardknott Pass. On the way he passed the Laal Ratty Station at Dalegarth, the Woolpack Inn and Eskdale YHA before visiting his (first point) “Wha House Farm” what looks like a very nice B&B for the visitors to the area. The road then crossed the River Esk just before starting the climb up Hardknott Pass.
Just as Maurice started the climb a car came up behind him and he decided to dismount to give him full clearance to get by but when he looked behind the car was turning round to go back.
Now that he was off his bike he decided it would be better to walk up the 1-in-4 part of the climb which brought him to the flatter area by the “Hardknott Castle MEDIOBOGDVM Roman Fort” (the second tour point). After stopping to take photos he was able to ride up to the 1-in-3 area and dismounted once more.
At this point 6 Honister 92 riders passed him all strung out but they all rode all the way up and were not using E-bikes!!
On reaching the summit (his third collection of tour points) he was congratulated by a gentleman who had been out walking. Maurice pointed out that he had pushed his bike up but this gentleman pointed out that he still had to climb up the pass and that the trip down the other side was just as tricky. How true that was!! Just as he reach the 1in3 area going down to Cockley Beck cars started to climb up and he had to stop 2 or 3 times to let them by and that made for awkward mounting again but he finally managed to descend to the Wrynose Bottoms and then it was the climb up Wrynose Pass which is a 1-in-4 (walk) for the final 200 metres aprox. On reaching the summit (his fourth collection of tour points).
Maurice looked around for the Three Shires Stone but was unable to find it. It is supposed to be at the summit in line with the the road and the foot path that leads to Pike O'Bisco one side and Wet Side Edge on the other. (This is another tour point area)
Descending down from the summit of Wrynose is much easir than Hardknott and the downhill takes you down through Wrynose Bottoms passed Cockley Beck (for a couple of hundred yards onwards the road here has gravel strewn on it so if any of the Majorcan Trippers choose to go on this route they would have to very careful!!). Onwards down the valley alongside the River Duddon and passing Dale Head, Hinning House still generally going downhill with a couple of clicks just to slow down progress a bit.
In good time he reached Seathwaite (another tour point) and gratefully stopped for a pot of of tea at the Fell Field Inn. Here he met a rider who had rode up from Walney Island through Coniston and over Wrynose Pass and had stopped there for a drink and a Fish Finger sandwich before his intention of carrying on over to Broughton Mills and through Broughton – in - Furness to return home.
On leaving Seathwaite Maurice rode onto Ulpha where he took a right turn to climb another 1-in-4 (walked) (passing what used to be the Traveller Rest Inn but had been turned into a house a long time since) and onto Birker Fell (more tour points). By this time he was getting hungry and decided when he took the track to Devoke Water (more tour points) he would stop and have his lunch.
Sitting there and taking in the scenery was very good for the soul!!
Leaving Devoke Water track he carried on straight across the road to take to the track which would take him down passing holiday homes at Birkerthwaite and Low Ground. The track followed Stanley Ghyll although it was out of vision all the way and up until now was easy going but after Low Ground it got steeper and rougher and after passing through a gate into a lonning which was bordered by trees, it got really rough and Maurice thought it was more prudent to walk this area of a couple of hundred yards until the loose rock lessened. On his bike again it was still rough going until out of the lonning and onto open path. He reached tarmac once more he reached the Trough House Bridge just in time to see a youth somersault into the River Esk which is a very deep area of water at that point. Maurice in his youth used to visit here to swim in the river by the bridge but never had the nerve to do what this lad did but he knew it was very cold there. This was borne out by the lad himself as that is what he shouted to the watchers on the bridge.
On reaching the main road it wasn't far to his car thankfully!!!
Autumn Tints Wednesday 1st August Mae's Cafe, Uldale by Steve Lunt
A great turn out today to ride from Stewart and Maggie's place near Embleton: coffee, tea and conversation aplenty with the crowd comprising of Ivan and Janet, Maggie, John and Sue M, Paul and Sue C, Tom, Steve L and when Roy didn't arrive (he's usually on time) Tom and Stewart drove over to Brewers Fayre to rescue the puzzled Roy.
The ride started by leaving the Wythop road and crossing the A66 trunk road to get to the the quiet “old A66” route that took us to Bass Lake and up to Castle Inn, here we crossed the A591 and headed for the hills! A steady gradual climb uphill and over to drop down until a junction at Ruthwaite appeared and some doubt between us whether to head up to High Ireby but we chose not to and headed through Ireby to the cross road in the middle to take a right turn and headed up to Caldbeck Common and onto Uldale and our lunchtime date with Mae's Cafe.
After lunch it was out of the gates and turning right to a long awaited downhill, twist and and sharp rise then a gentle downhill to Overwater and onto Castle Inn junction (missing out Bass Village). Once past the junction and reaching Ouse Bridge and over the bridge to turn right to take us to Embleton – then turning left over a narrow bridge onto the A66, where Sue, Janet, Ivan and John carried on to Cockermouth.
After few hundred metres up the A66 to turn left down the Wythop Mill road to Trout Bridge, Stewart and Maggie's home and a welcome cup of tea.
Leaving Janet and Ivan in Cockermouth Sue and John continued on to Hundith Hill to sort out the prize giving dinner before heading home over Whinlatter.
After overnight rain it was a dry start with a cool south westerly wind as members gathered at Greystoke.
They were Maurice, Roy, Tom, Sue, John, Anita, John R, Maggie and Stewart,
Stewart having his first proper ride out with the club since his accident.
Leaving the car park Stewart led the group out of Greystoke on a quiet back road to the A66 where they crossed to follow the lanes to Dacre.
Eventually after constantly climbing and descending they reached Dacre this was followed by the hardest climb of the day.
Regrouping at the top was followed by a welcome descent to join the busy A592 to Pooley Bridge for a tea and coffee stop.
Making the best of the good weather they sat outside overlooking the River Eamont tucking in to a variety of cakes and scones.
Leaving Pooley Bridge on the B5320 they passed through Tirrel and Yanwath to join the A6 at Eamont Bridge, before turning left to Brougham Hall.
Sat outside again soaking up the sun at Bettyann's Tea Parlour it was more food for the group just having eaten seven miles back. I'm
Lunch and natter over it was back in the saddle heading for Brougham Castle stopping to look at the Castle and the newly repaired bridge damaged in the 2015 floods.
Taking the underpass under the A66 the group then negotiated their way through Penrith to Thacka Lane passing under the M6 to Newton Rigg College.
Leaving the College grounds familiar to Anita having studied horticulture there it was back on the road to Newton Reigny.
For those collecting tour points Maurice led the group to Catterlen Hall before continuing on to Greystoke.
Following Sustrans route 7 through Laithes, to route 71 just before Blencow for the final couple of miles back to Greystoke and parked vehicles.
Sunday 26th August Post House Deanscales.
On a wet morning Tom drove from Whitehaven to join Sue, John and Roy to ride to Deanscales.
All togged up in wet weather gear the four left Braithwaite to join the A66 at Beck Wythop with the rain starting to ease of slightly.
On reaching Dubwath John phoned Dianne, who had hoped to join the four but due to the weather decided against it, instead she invited the four for drinks.
Instead of using the old road through Embleton they continued on up the A66 to the roundabout at Brewers Fayre where they turned right to Dianne's.
After a welcome cup of tea and coffee, and the rain having stopped the group set off, this time with Dianne leading the way up the A5086 to Paddle School.
Turning right it was on through Eaglesfield to Deanscales to find Maurice, Steve H, Dave, Maggie, Stewart, Tracy and Brian already having lunch.
Late arrival Stuart (a new future member) had a good talk with Dianne probably about the environment, followed later still by Paul just as the majority were leaving.
Eventually after talking to Paul the two wheel group made a move having seen the rest disappear on four wheels back home.
Leaving Deanscales by the lanes it was onto Paddle School where they said goodbye to Dianne, leaving them to make their way back to Branthwaite.
After negotiating the undulating roads from Southwaite they eventually joined the A66 at Dubwath for the final five miles back to Braithwaite on what turned out a dry afternoon.
Autumn Tints Wednesday 22nd August Brewers Fayre (No ride due to the weather)
Sunday 19th August Clu Run Wheatsheaf Inn, Abbeytown by Steve Lunt
Riders Meeting at the Mealbreak Hotel, Chapel Brow were John and Sue, Roy Maurice, Anita, New member Stuart, and Steve L. Tom appeared but had to pull out of today's outing due to a medical condition.
Maurice rode with us as far as Maryport Marina and then returned to the Melbreak for his car due to tired legs (and wanting to be alone) having been out the day before in the strong winds etc.
The rest of us taking a well used route along the promenade, passing through the golf course to cross the B5300 onto the cycle path alongside the road all the way up to Allonby and a short stretch further on and turn up to Salta and on to Mawbray. Then it was eastwards to pass through Holme St. Cuthbert and Tarns and then the tiny hamlet of Aldoth. Now heading North-eastwards and couple of long straight stretches brought us to Abbeytown and the lunch break at the Wheatsheaf Inn.
At the pub we met up with Bacca and Tracy who had done a circular ride out from Abbeytown to include Waverbridge and Lesson Hall.
Later, a quick debate over the best route back. “Same route OK” was chosen as we had already covered 25miles out! So a general retrace of our outward trip ensued although the return along a little rough road via Aldoth seemed a little different. Nevertheless the route close to Tarns and through the quirky little village of Holme St. Cuthbert were familiar territory so soon we were back on the coastal way via Salta and south to Allonby and so to Maryport where a cup of tea or coffee seemed like a good idea! Following on: the run from Maryport to Workington and through the Curwen Park was OK but the climb up the hill to Stainburn was quite challenging, but not too long. Before long we had rounded the gentle curve leading to the large Chapel Brow roundabout and onto our cars at the Melbreak Hotel and the finish of our ride for today. (50miles)
Autumn Tints Tuesday 14th August Ravenglass.
Due to the long range forecast for Wednesday being wet the ride was put forward to Tuesday, over Sunday lunch it was agreed to go to Ravenglass, with the start point being Summergrove.
With most members otherwise committed only six members made it to Summergrove they were Maurice, Tom, Dave, Roy, Sue and John.
Roy turned up at John R's thinking that was the start point, John unable to join the group on the ride due to a chipped windscreen on his motor home, loaded his bike into Roy's car to direct him to Summergrove.
After coffee the group left the grounds with light rain falling heading for Moor Row leaving John R to make his way back home.
Carrying on through Moor Row they eventually joined the cycle way into Egremont followed by climb to Thornhill, stopping in Beckermet to do a reckon on the Royal Oak. (A possible Sunday venue)
Back in the saddle it was back on the cycle way to Sellafield to join the mixed surfaced track to Seascales.
Dave having refused to ride this track left the group in Beckermet to use the main road Sue not liking this track suffered a cut leg that needed a large patch.
By the time Sue and John arrived in Seascales the remainder were drinking tea and coffee outside the Pudding Lane café.
Setting of again it was a race to beat the tide at Saltcoats instead of using the main road from Holmrook to Ravenglass.
Maurice was quite confident we would beat the tide which proved right as the group reached the foreshore to make their way over the viaduct into Ravenglass to find Dave.
Over a good lunch in the, Inn at Ravenglass with a view through the window of the rising tide it looked more likely that the group would have to use the main road.
Eventually bums started to move from seats to saddles, leaving the busy village behind to encounter the long climb to join the A595.
Regrouping at the top was followed by a fast descent towards Holmrook where they turned left back to Seascales, for John and Roy to get an ice cream.
Tom with an evening commitment carried on, while Dave headed to Gosforth to use the main road leaving the rest to use the track to Sellafield.
Following their wheel tracks it was back through Beckermet to Thornhill where Maurice said goodbye leaving the Brathwaite trio to make their way back to Summergrove.
Sunday 12th August Waverley Hotel Whitehaven.
On a wet cloudy morning Sue and John on their e-bikes set of from Braithwaite at 9.30 heading through Thornthwaite to join the A66.
Once on the A66 they continued to the Brewers Fayre where they stopped for a quick break before joining the A66 again to the old road into Brigham.
Away from the traffic they headed to Bridgefoot to join the cycle track to Whitehaven passing Roy's car parked at the Melbreak, who had arranged to meet Tom and Steve.
The rain having stopped it was into the wind as they made their way to Lillyhall and Distington with the sun starting to make a brief appearance.
On arrival in Whitehaven they met up with Roy, Tom and Steve on the harbour having had a tour round with seafarer Tom.
After a brief chat about boats it was off to the Waverley Hotel for lunch to find Maurice, Steve H and Dave along with Mavis and John.
A good lunch and long discussions orchestrated by Dave left members oblivious of the time until the waitresses came to clear the tables.
Deciding it was time to leave, Maurice and Steve having departed earlier, Tom and Steve having got no miles in joined the Braithwaite trio back to the Melbreak for tea and biscuits.
Sat outside in the sun was a total contrast from the early morning rain and wind before setting of in different directions.
Tom and Steve back to Whitehaven, while Roy loaded his bike into the car, leaving Sue and John to cycle back to Braithwaite.
Autumn Tints Wednesday 8th August Aquarium Maryport.
On cloudy morning with rain forcast ten members made their way to Sue and Paul's for tea coffee and biscuits.
They were Maurice, Roy, Tom, Sue, John, Steve and his granddaughters Millie and Romy and John R with grandson Sam.
Eventually the group made a move only to take shelter under the trees as it started to rain having ventured out onto the road.
With the shower having passed over the group headed down the village heading for Greysouthen with Maurice and Millie on the front.
With a mostly downhill start to Brigefoot was followed by the climb up Chapel Brow where the young ones showed the oldies how to get up hills.
After regrouping at the top it was on through Great Clifton and Stainburn to join the cycle way through Curwin Park.
On the north side of Workington passing Siddick ponds one noticed there had been a heavy shower with puddles of water.
Thinking they had got away with that, the heavens opened up with everyone stopping to cape up, the rain stopping as quick as it started.
With a following wind the pace increased as they headed towards Flimby looking out for Stewart who had parked up in Allonby.
Approaching Maryport Stewart was spotted coming in the opposite direction have battled into the wind from Allonby.
Finally the group thirteen strong arrived at the Aquarium for lunch to be joined by Dave and Ivan having both cycled from home.
As luck would have it they managed to find three empty tables close together, where most enjoyed a bacon or fried egg bap.
After lunch it was agreed to ride back with Stewart as far as Mealo House where the group turned right towards Allerby to cross the A596 to Gilcrux.
From Gilcrux it was the usual route back through Tallentire and Bridekirkback to parked cars at the Brewers Fayre and Eaglesfield.
Sunday 5th August Stag Inn Crosby. by Roy Jackson
On a dry, warm morning, Sue and John M, John R, Tom and Roy assembled at the Brewers Fayre.
Led by Roy the group rode up the A66 to the roundabout, turned left on the cycle route to Broughton Cross then Bridgefoot, Workington.
Then the cycle track past Siddick Ponds to Maryport where they joined the A596 to the Stag Inn at Crosby, where it was very nice to see Maggie and Stewart.
They had ridden from Maryport Promenade, Stewart's first ride with the club since he broke his hip.
Also at the Stag were Tracy, Brian and Dave, Tracy and Brian having done a circuit from Silloth via Abbeytown, Dave having ridden from Workington.
After a good lunch Tracy and Brian departed first followed by Maggie and Stewart,
the rest of the group left last, turning right to Crosscannonby, then to Maryport.
On the track near Siddick Ponds, Sue punctured John changed the tube, which went flat straight away caused by a previous patch splitting.
After John put a patch over the original patch and that lasted as far as the footbridge at Workington and went flat again.
After fitting another new tube, the rest of the ride passed without incident, via Branthwaite, Dean, Deanscales and Eaglesfield back to Brewers Fayre for about 6pm.
Sunday 5th August Maurice's Ride by Maurice Cowley
This Sunday Maurice (I want to alone) wanted a change of route other than in the area that was to be used to reach the planned meet at the Stag Inn, Crosby having been riding in that area quite a few times during the year, so he took the car and parked at the bridge just below George 4th Inn at Eskdale to start his ride and to collect points for the Tour Competition.
He passed the George the 4th on his way and took the road towards Hardknott Pass. On the way he passed the Laal Ratty Station at Dalegarth, the Woolpack Inn and Eskdale YHA before visiting his (first point) “Wha House Farm” what looks like a very nice B&B for the visitors to the area. The road then crossed the River Esk just before starting the climb up Hardknott Pass.
Just as Maurice started the climb a car came up behind him and he decided to dismount to give him full clearance to get by but when he looked behind the car was turning round to go back.
Now that he was off his bike he decided it would be better to walk up the 1-in-4 part of the climb which brought him to the flatter area by the “Hardknott Castle MEDIOBOGDVM Roman Fort” (the second tour point). After stopping to take photos he was able to ride up to the 1-in-3 area and dismounted once more.
At this point 6 Honister 92 riders passed him all strung out but they all rode all the way up and were not using E-bikes!!
On reaching the summit (his third collection of tour points) he was congratulated by a gentleman who had been out walking. Maurice pointed out that he had pushed his bike up but this gentleman pointed out that he still had to climb up the pass and that the trip down the other side was just as tricky. How true that was!! Just as he reach the 1in3 area going down to Cockley Beck cars started to climb up and he had to stop 2 or 3 times to let them by and that made for awkward mounting again but he finally managed to descend to the Wrynose Bottoms and then it was the climb up Wrynose Pass which is a 1-in-4 (walk) for the final 200 metres aprox. On reaching the summit (his fourth collection of tour points).
Maurice looked around for the Three Shires Stone but was unable to find it. It is supposed to be at the summit in line with the the road and the foot path that leads to Pike O'Bisco one side and Wet Side Edge on the other. (This is another tour point area)
Descending down from the summit of Wrynose is much easir than Hardknott and the downhill takes you down through Wrynose Bottoms passed Cockley Beck (for a couple of hundred yards onwards the road here has gravel strewn on it so if any of the Majorcan Trippers choose to go on this route they would have to very careful!!). Onwards down the valley alongside the River Duddon and passing Dale Head, Hinning House still generally going downhill with a couple of clicks just to slow down progress a bit.
In good time he reached Seathwaite (another tour point) and gratefully stopped for a pot of of tea at the Fell Field Inn. Here he met a rider who had rode up from Walney Island through Coniston and over Wrynose Pass and had stopped there for a drink and a Fish Finger sandwich before his intention of carrying on over to Broughton Mills and through Broughton – in - Furness to return home.
On leaving Seathwaite Maurice rode onto Ulpha where he took a right turn to climb another 1-in-4 (walked) (passing what used to be the Traveller Rest Inn but had been turned into a house a long time since) and onto Birker Fell (more tour points). By this time he was getting hungry and decided when he took the track to Devoke Water (more tour points) he would stop and have his lunch.
Sitting there and taking in the scenery was very good for the soul!!
Leaving Devoke Water track he carried on straight across the road to take to the track which would take him down passing holiday homes at Birkerthwaite and Low Ground. The track followed Stanley Ghyll although it was out of vision all the way and up until now was easy going but after Low Ground it got steeper and rougher and after passing through a gate into a lonning which was bordered by trees, it got really rough and Maurice thought it was more prudent to walk this area of a couple of hundred yards until the loose rock lessened. On his bike again it was still rough going until out of the lonning and onto open path. He reached tarmac once more he reached the Trough House Bridge just in time to see a youth somersault into the River Esk which is a very deep area of water at that point. Maurice in his youth used to visit here to swim in the river by the bridge but never had the nerve to do what this lad did but he knew it was very cold there. This was borne out by the lad himself as that is what he shouted to the watchers on the bridge.
On reaching the main road it wasn't far to his car thankfully!!!
Autumn Tints Wednesday 1st August Mae's Cafe, Uldale by Steve Lunt
A great turn out today to ride from Stewart and Maggie's place near Embleton: coffee, tea and conversation aplenty with the crowd comprising of Ivan and Janet, Maggie, John and Sue M, Paul and Sue C, Tom, Steve L and when Roy didn't arrive (he's usually on time) Tom and Stewart drove over to Brewers Fayre to rescue the puzzled Roy.
The ride started by leaving the Wythop road and crossing the A66 trunk road to get to the the quiet “old A66” route that took us to Bass Lake and up to Castle Inn, here we crossed the A591 and headed for the hills! A steady gradual climb uphill and over to drop down until a junction at Ruthwaite appeared and some doubt between us whether to head up to High Ireby but we chose not to and headed through Ireby to the cross road in the middle to take a right turn and headed up to Caldbeck Common and onto Uldale and our lunchtime date with Mae's Cafe.
After lunch it was out of the gates and turning right to a long awaited downhill, twist and and sharp rise then a gentle downhill to Overwater and onto Castle Inn junction (missing out Bass Village). Once past the junction and reaching Ouse Bridge and over the bridge to turn right to take us to Embleton – then turning left over a narrow bridge onto the A66, where Sue, Janet, Ivan and John carried on to Cockermouth.
After few hundred metres up the A66 to turn left down the Wythop Mill road to Trout Bridge, Stewart and Maggie's home and a welcome cup of tea.
Leaving Janet and Ivan in Cockermouth Sue and John continued on to Hundith Hill to sort out the prize giving dinner before heading home over Whinlatter.