Autumn Tints Wednesday 31st August.
On a dry windy morning members gathered at Dianne's, they were Maurice, Roy, John and grandson Sam plus Sue and John.
Dianne supplied the tea, coffee and biscuits while the group chatted away, who seemed to be in no hurry to leave.
Finally the group made a move Maurice having done a route led the group along with Dianne out of Parkside.
After negotiating the back streets the group hit the low road out of Cockermouth to cross the A66 to Brigham.
Crossing the A66 again the group headed through Little Broughton to join the A594 for a short distance before turning left to Broughton Moor.
This was followed by a long drag to Broughton Moor, where the group turned right to follow the road into Maryport.
A brief stop at the railway crossing while a passenger train passed, before continuing along the promenade.
With the sea throwing up spray onto the promenade, almost gave Sam a shower.
With a following wind the group covered the final five miles to the lunch stop in Allonby, in just over twenty minutes.
With a table reserved, (thanks to Sue) the group enjoyed a good lunch before setting off back to Cockermouth.
Leaving Allonby into a strong wind, John R set the pace on the front, turning left at Mealo House into the quieter lanes sheltered from the wind.
After the climb towards Allerby the group crossed the A596 to descend past Oughterside Mill before crossing the River Ellen to Gilcrux.
From Gilcrux the group followed the usual route back to Cockermouth through Tallentire and Bridekirk, stopping to help a farmer direct a herd of sheep.
After all the excitement it was on through Bridekirk to join the A595 turning left at the roundabout into Cockermouth back to Dianne’s for a welcome drink.
Sunday 28th August Singletons Nethertown
Meeting up at Singleton's cafe for lunch were Roy, Maurice and Shirley, Steve L, Dianne and John, Dave Swift, Paul and Sue, Bruce and Brenda.
The day was dull but the forecast was good when Maurice and Steve L met up at the hub at Whitehaven to ride out to meet Roy and ride back to Singleton's with him. They took the cycle track from Whitehaven to ride through Parton and up the hill to Lowca and the Workington cycle track. The pair met up with Roy just before Distington.
Roy had started from the Melbreak Hotel and rode up the cycle track alongside the A595 to drop down to the cycle path at Distington after which he met up with Maurice and Steve L. Roy informed the pair that Paul and Sue had left the Melbreak just before he did.
All three then took the cycle paths back through Lowca and Parton to reach Whitehaven where they used the cycle path to get to Woodend. They then rode through Woodend and dropped down to the Egremont cycle path to Egremont. After negotiating the backstreets of Egremont they rode to Kell Head and then Through Middletown to reach Singleton's Cafe for lunch.
Paul and Sue had taken the same route up to turning off the Whitehaven to Moor Row cycle path just before the bridge for the A595 and to the road into St. Bees to take to the Coast Road the reach Singlton's.
Dave Swift had ridden from his home at Whitehaven along the A595 to Egremont and then the back roads to Singletons.
Shirley, Bruce and Brenda, Dianne and John all arrived by car.
After a long chat over lunch they all departed on the same transport as they arrived. Paul and Sue, Roy, Steve L, Dave Swift and Maurice left together and Maurice left for home at Egremont. The route the rest were taking was the same as Maurice, Roy and Steve L, took on the way out only in reverse.
Autumn Tints Wednesday 24th August 2016
Maggie and Stewart, Steve L and his 2 granddaughters Millie and Romy, and Maurice met up at Roy's house at Braithwaite to start along the backside of Thirlmere.
After refreshments by Roy's wife Ruth and on a lovely sunny day with very little wind the group set off along the cycle path alongside the A66. Leaving the cycle path after Portinscale the group rode into Keswick then climbed up to get onto the Burns road and then climbed over to drop down to St. John's in the Vale.
Maurice was not feeling well so elected not to go along the rear of Thirlmere but to wait for the groups return at the Kings Head, at Thirlspot. However a coffee stop was spotted near the end of the St. John's in the Vale road where he stopped for a coffee along with Dave Swift who didn't want to take a track across to the Thirlmere Dam and thought he would catch the rest up after going round by road.
After Dave left to catch the rest up with a message about the coffee stop Maurice left to wait at The Kings Head at Thirlspot outside with a pot of tea.
The group had cycled along the rear of the lake when Dave caught them up and told them about the coffee stop and when they cycled back they stopped there for their lunch stop. Maurice finally caught up with them there when he returned to see where they were. There were no mobile signals to let him know of the change in plans. Never mind hey.
After lunch and long chat the group returned to Braithwaite down St, John's in the vale and the way they came out.
Sunday 21st August 2016
Maggie and Stewart, John R, Anita and Roy met at Allonby on a fine but very windy day. Because of the wind and running a bit late it was decided to shorten the ride and have lunch at the Cups and Saucers Cafe at Seaville instead of Bowness on Solway.
Starting north on the coast road then turning right inland and going to Tarns, then Pelutho, then into Silloth and along the promenade. From Silloth, still with a strong wind, to Skinburness then along the sea dyke to Calvo, arriving at Cups and Suacers just before midday. After a good lunch, the group turned right and headed towards Abbeytown and onto Aldoth and West Newton and back to Allonby.
A very pleasant ride in spite of the wind.
Autumn Tints Wednesday 17th August.
(Today was different. (Not because it was sunny, blue skies, temperatures in the twenties.)
Steve had his grand children (Romy and Milly) cycling with him today. He also had a bike to donate to Watch Tree Reserve near Great Orton. This is also an interesting place for the children to see birds, butterflies etc. There are a variety of habitats including woodland, wetland areas and cycle paths to get round the reserve. This is the resting place of the cattle from the foot and mouth epidemic which has been transformed into a nature reserve.(www.watchtree.co.uk). There is an extensive monitored drainage system and a series of reed beds that progressively filter the ground water. So Watch Tree would be 11's and the ride would start from Dalston. (free car park and facilities) Lunch at Glassson -The highland laddie pub - rest place for the haaf netters who fish for salmon in the Solway.
Maggie, Stuart, John R, Sue and Paul cycled from Dalston through quiet country lanes heading to Thursby. We past what appeared to be a castle folly and then a thatched cottage at Curthwaite before crossing the A595 at Thursby. Then on through Woodhouses, Wiggonby and to Watch Tree. About 11.3miles
Maurice was sunning himself with a cuppa in front of the cafe/reception block. Steve was unloading bikes. Quite a lot of people there using the bikes and walking round the reserve.
The cafe and shade were very welcome as some of us were well cooked - it was that hot! Had an interesting chat with the Volunteer Warden ie climate change resulting in the increase in the number of moths beatles and insects. Greater Spotted Woodpeckers, Painted Lady butterflies were on site. The rare Marsh Fritillary butterfly breeds on the purple blue Devil's-bit Scabeous plants here and is released at other locations (possible Finglandrigg RSPB reserve).
We set of enjoying the country lanes and just before we reached Little Bampton Paul punctured. (Sue found it re-assuring that Paul received assistance from four helpers.) The front tyre came off fairly easily so we were soon on our way again passing through Fingland, Whitriglees on our way to Glasson and the coast. We sat outside the Pub – had our bait. The soups were generous and tasty. Some with a sweet tooth indulged in ice cream and 99'ers.
Finally back on the bikes we headed east against a moderate head wind towards Burgh by Sands on the coastal roa d. The tide was in and sheep and cattle were on the marshes. (John unexpectedly met his son and grandsons on their bikes returning from South Shields on their way to Silloth.) We turned off at Burgh to Moorhouse, Thurstonfield and Kirkbampton. Then up the slope on the road that winds round the reserve. Again another welcome break from being cooked in the afternoon heat! Maggie Stuart and John continued on to Dalston. After a coffee/tea break we went our separate ways. (Maurice suggested it would be a good starting place for our rides - there are certainly plenty of pleasant cycling lanes.) In all about 35.8miles.
Sunday 14th August Wheatsheaf Inn Embleton.
Roy, Joe and Frances, Maurice, Bacca and Tracy met at the Wheatsheaf Pub at Embleton for lunch. The group was rather light due to holidays and other commitments.
Bacca and Tracy had parked their van at Dubwath and rode the tandem trike along the A66 to the Crosswaite Roundabout and back practicing for their impending race at Lincoln.
Maurice had done a short ride from home taking in Beckermet, Braystones, Nethertown, St. Bees and then back to Thornhill via Egremont prior using the car to go to the Wheatsheaf.
Roy had rode from home via the backside of Bassenthwaite lake to the pub.
Joe and Frances had arrived in their Car.
Autumn Tints Wednesday 10th August Craggs Bothel.
On a sunny day with very little wind members met at Maggie and Stewarts house for refreshments prior to the run to the Craggs Cafe at Bothel. They were Maggie and Stewart, Paul and Sue, Johnny and Pat, Maurice, Roy, John R, and Steve L.
Leaving late due to late arrivals the group crossed the A66 to take to the back road to climb over the bank to turn left at the Lakeland Distillery on the Isel road dropping down to Isel Bridge where they divided into two groups. Maurice, Paul and Sue to take the first turn up after the bridge and the rest rode onto the take the second turn up. The group joined up once more after Sunderland Village at the top of the hill. On reaching the A591 they turned right to reach the Craggs Cafe.
After Lunch and refreshments the group the group again divided. Due to prior commitments, Maurice, John R, Maggie and Stewart, Steve L set off down the hill to turn right at Castle Inn and crossed the Ouse Bridge to climb back over the bank to reach the Peil Wyke road once more to turn up the A66 and turn left towards Maggie and Stewart's Home to collect the cars and return home..
The rest traveled over to Bothel, Threapland Gilcrux, Bridekirk, Cockermouth and then back to Maggie and Stewart’s house.
Sunday 7th August Waverley Hotel Whitehaven.
On a cool morning, with a strong westerly wind, five members gathered at the Melbreak, they were Maggie, Stewart, Roy, Sue and John.
After a short discussion it was decided to take the direct route to Whitehaven due to the strong wind.
John took up the position on the front, something not seen very often as they followed the cycle path to Distington.
On the descent from Distington John R and Steve could be seen approaching in the opposite direction.
Doing a u turn they joined the five for the run back into Whitehaven, this was followed by a tour of the harbour, before going for lunch at the Waverley.
Tracy and Brian already in the hotel had parked their van earlier in Maryport and cycled on their tandem trike to Allonby and back.
Joining the group for lunch was Dave, after a good lunch and chat it was time to leave, as the table was required for other clients.
Leaving Whitehaven this time with a following wind, the group eight strong followed the same route back to Distington.
This was where the Whitehaven trio turned round to head back to Whitehaven, leaving the rest to continue onto the Melbreak and parked cars.
here to edit.
Autumn Tints Wednesday 3rd August
On a lousy windy day with rain just stopped but still threatening the run was called off. However 3 of our brave members were determined not to let the weather keep them inside. They were Anita, John R and Steve L.
They parked their car up at Langwathby and rode through Little Salkeld (the Flour Mill Cafe was shut) and onto through Kirkoswald and onto the road to Ainstable. After departing Ainstable Steve L hit a hole in the road and got a puncture in his back wheel. Having fixed the puncture they rode on a short distance, when Steve’s back wheel jammed and when checked the gear change bracket on the frame had snapped. A kind farmer gave Steve a lift to a pub in Armathwaite but couldn't take the bike while the other two rode there.
After partaking in refreshment and lunch Steve L borrowed Anita's bike and he and John R rode back for the car to pick up the bike and Anita. As they started to climb back up the hill on the east side of the river the rain came down. They took the first right turn and rode back to Kirkoswald to cross the River Eden to the west side over a lovely sandstone bridge to climb out of Lazonby along the B6412, passing the road end to Eden Lacey, to Great Salkeld after which they met the A686 up to Langwathby and the car.
They then drove back to Ainstable to pick up Steve's bike and down to Armathwaite to pick up Anita who had been chatting to a very friendly barman.
On a dry windy morning members gathered at Dianne's, they were Maurice, Roy, John and grandson Sam plus Sue and John.
Dianne supplied the tea, coffee and biscuits while the group chatted away, who seemed to be in no hurry to leave.
Finally the group made a move Maurice having done a route led the group along with Dianne out of Parkside.
After negotiating the back streets the group hit the low road out of Cockermouth to cross the A66 to Brigham.
Crossing the A66 again the group headed through Little Broughton to join the A594 for a short distance before turning left to Broughton Moor.
This was followed by a long drag to Broughton Moor, where the group turned right to follow the road into Maryport.
A brief stop at the railway crossing while a passenger train passed, before continuing along the promenade.
With the sea throwing up spray onto the promenade, almost gave Sam a shower.
With a following wind the group covered the final five miles to the lunch stop in Allonby, in just over twenty minutes.
With a table reserved, (thanks to Sue) the group enjoyed a good lunch before setting off back to Cockermouth.
Leaving Allonby into a strong wind, John R set the pace on the front, turning left at Mealo House into the quieter lanes sheltered from the wind.
After the climb towards Allerby the group crossed the A596 to descend past Oughterside Mill before crossing the River Ellen to Gilcrux.
From Gilcrux the group followed the usual route back to Cockermouth through Tallentire and Bridekirk, stopping to help a farmer direct a herd of sheep.
After all the excitement it was on through Bridekirk to join the A595 turning left at the roundabout into Cockermouth back to Dianne’s for a welcome drink.
Sunday 28th August Singletons Nethertown
Meeting up at Singleton's cafe for lunch were Roy, Maurice and Shirley, Steve L, Dianne and John, Dave Swift, Paul and Sue, Bruce and Brenda.
The day was dull but the forecast was good when Maurice and Steve L met up at the hub at Whitehaven to ride out to meet Roy and ride back to Singleton's with him. They took the cycle track from Whitehaven to ride through Parton and up the hill to Lowca and the Workington cycle track. The pair met up with Roy just before Distington.
Roy had started from the Melbreak Hotel and rode up the cycle track alongside the A595 to drop down to the cycle path at Distington after which he met up with Maurice and Steve L. Roy informed the pair that Paul and Sue had left the Melbreak just before he did.
All three then took the cycle paths back through Lowca and Parton to reach Whitehaven where they used the cycle path to get to Woodend. They then rode through Woodend and dropped down to the Egremont cycle path to Egremont. After negotiating the backstreets of Egremont they rode to Kell Head and then Through Middletown to reach Singleton's Cafe for lunch.
Paul and Sue had taken the same route up to turning off the Whitehaven to Moor Row cycle path just before the bridge for the A595 and to the road into St. Bees to take to the Coast Road the reach Singlton's.
Dave Swift had ridden from his home at Whitehaven along the A595 to Egremont and then the back roads to Singletons.
Shirley, Bruce and Brenda, Dianne and John all arrived by car.
After a long chat over lunch they all departed on the same transport as they arrived. Paul and Sue, Roy, Steve L, Dave Swift and Maurice left together and Maurice left for home at Egremont. The route the rest were taking was the same as Maurice, Roy and Steve L, took on the way out only in reverse.
Autumn Tints Wednesday 24th August 2016
Maggie and Stewart, Steve L and his 2 granddaughters Millie and Romy, and Maurice met up at Roy's house at Braithwaite to start along the backside of Thirlmere.
After refreshments by Roy's wife Ruth and on a lovely sunny day with very little wind the group set off along the cycle path alongside the A66. Leaving the cycle path after Portinscale the group rode into Keswick then climbed up to get onto the Burns road and then climbed over to drop down to St. John's in the Vale.
Maurice was not feeling well so elected not to go along the rear of Thirlmere but to wait for the groups return at the Kings Head, at Thirlspot. However a coffee stop was spotted near the end of the St. John's in the Vale road where he stopped for a coffee along with Dave Swift who didn't want to take a track across to the Thirlmere Dam and thought he would catch the rest up after going round by road.
After Dave left to catch the rest up with a message about the coffee stop Maurice left to wait at The Kings Head at Thirlspot outside with a pot of tea.
The group had cycled along the rear of the lake when Dave caught them up and told them about the coffee stop and when they cycled back they stopped there for their lunch stop. Maurice finally caught up with them there when he returned to see where they were. There were no mobile signals to let him know of the change in plans. Never mind hey.
After lunch and long chat the group returned to Braithwaite down St, John's in the vale and the way they came out.
Sunday 21st August 2016
Maggie and Stewart, John R, Anita and Roy met at Allonby on a fine but very windy day. Because of the wind and running a bit late it was decided to shorten the ride and have lunch at the Cups and Saucers Cafe at Seaville instead of Bowness on Solway.
Starting north on the coast road then turning right inland and going to Tarns, then Pelutho, then into Silloth and along the promenade. From Silloth, still with a strong wind, to Skinburness then along the sea dyke to Calvo, arriving at Cups and Suacers just before midday. After a good lunch, the group turned right and headed towards Abbeytown and onto Aldoth and West Newton and back to Allonby.
A very pleasant ride in spite of the wind.
Autumn Tints Wednesday 17th August.
(Today was different. (Not because it was sunny, blue skies, temperatures in the twenties.)
Steve had his grand children (Romy and Milly) cycling with him today. He also had a bike to donate to Watch Tree Reserve near Great Orton. This is also an interesting place for the children to see birds, butterflies etc. There are a variety of habitats including woodland, wetland areas and cycle paths to get round the reserve. This is the resting place of the cattle from the foot and mouth epidemic which has been transformed into a nature reserve.(www.watchtree.co.uk). There is an extensive monitored drainage system and a series of reed beds that progressively filter the ground water. So Watch Tree would be 11's and the ride would start from Dalston. (free car park and facilities) Lunch at Glassson -The highland laddie pub - rest place for the haaf netters who fish for salmon in the Solway.
Maggie, Stuart, John R, Sue and Paul cycled from Dalston through quiet country lanes heading to Thursby. We past what appeared to be a castle folly and then a thatched cottage at Curthwaite before crossing the A595 at Thursby. Then on through Woodhouses, Wiggonby and to Watch Tree. About 11.3miles
Maurice was sunning himself with a cuppa in front of the cafe/reception block. Steve was unloading bikes. Quite a lot of people there using the bikes and walking round the reserve.
The cafe and shade were very welcome as some of us were well cooked - it was that hot! Had an interesting chat with the Volunteer Warden ie climate change resulting in the increase in the number of moths beatles and insects. Greater Spotted Woodpeckers, Painted Lady butterflies were on site. The rare Marsh Fritillary butterfly breeds on the purple blue Devil's-bit Scabeous plants here and is released at other locations (possible Finglandrigg RSPB reserve).
We set of enjoying the country lanes and just before we reached Little Bampton Paul punctured. (Sue found it re-assuring that Paul received assistance from four helpers.) The front tyre came off fairly easily so we were soon on our way again passing through Fingland, Whitriglees on our way to Glasson and the coast. We sat outside the Pub – had our bait. The soups were generous and tasty. Some with a sweet tooth indulged in ice cream and 99'ers.
Finally back on the bikes we headed east against a moderate head wind towards Burgh by Sands on the coastal roa d. The tide was in and sheep and cattle were on the marshes. (John unexpectedly met his son and grandsons on their bikes returning from South Shields on their way to Silloth.) We turned off at Burgh to Moorhouse, Thurstonfield and Kirkbampton. Then up the slope on the road that winds round the reserve. Again another welcome break from being cooked in the afternoon heat! Maggie Stuart and John continued on to Dalston. After a coffee/tea break we went our separate ways. (Maurice suggested it would be a good starting place for our rides - there are certainly plenty of pleasant cycling lanes.) In all about 35.8miles.
Sunday 14th August Wheatsheaf Inn Embleton.
Roy, Joe and Frances, Maurice, Bacca and Tracy met at the Wheatsheaf Pub at Embleton for lunch. The group was rather light due to holidays and other commitments.
Bacca and Tracy had parked their van at Dubwath and rode the tandem trike along the A66 to the Crosswaite Roundabout and back practicing for their impending race at Lincoln.
Maurice had done a short ride from home taking in Beckermet, Braystones, Nethertown, St. Bees and then back to Thornhill via Egremont prior using the car to go to the Wheatsheaf.
Roy had rode from home via the backside of Bassenthwaite lake to the pub.
Joe and Frances had arrived in their Car.
Autumn Tints Wednesday 10th August Craggs Bothel.
On a sunny day with very little wind members met at Maggie and Stewarts house for refreshments prior to the run to the Craggs Cafe at Bothel. They were Maggie and Stewart, Paul and Sue, Johnny and Pat, Maurice, Roy, John R, and Steve L.
Leaving late due to late arrivals the group crossed the A66 to take to the back road to climb over the bank to turn left at the Lakeland Distillery on the Isel road dropping down to Isel Bridge where they divided into two groups. Maurice, Paul and Sue to take the first turn up after the bridge and the rest rode onto the take the second turn up. The group joined up once more after Sunderland Village at the top of the hill. On reaching the A591 they turned right to reach the Craggs Cafe.
After Lunch and refreshments the group the group again divided. Due to prior commitments, Maurice, John R, Maggie and Stewart, Steve L set off down the hill to turn right at Castle Inn and crossed the Ouse Bridge to climb back over the bank to reach the Peil Wyke road once more to turn up the A66 and turn left towards Maggie and Stewart's Home to collect the cars and return home..
The rest traveled over to Bothel, Threapland Gilcrux, Bridekirk, Cockermouth and then back to Maggie and Stewart’s house.
Sunday 7th August Waverley Hotel Whitehaven.
On a cool morning, with a strong westerly wind, five members gathered at the Melbreak, they were Maggie, Stewart, Roy, Sue and John.
After a short discussion it was decided to take the direct route to Whitehaven due to the strong wind.
John took up the position on the front, something not seen very often as they followed the cycle path to Distington.
On the descent from Distington John R and Steve could be seen approaching in the opposite direction.
Doing a u turn they joined the five for the run back into Whitehaven, this was followed by a tour of the harbour, before going for lunch at the Waverley.
Tracy and Brian already in the hotel had parked their van earlier in Maryport and cycled on their tandem trike to Allonby and back.
Joining the group for lunch was Dave, after a good lunch and chat it was time to leave, as the table was required for other clients.
Leaving Whitehaven this time with a following wind, the group eight strong followed the same route back to Distington.
This was where the Whitehaven trio turned round to head back to Whitehaven, leaving the rest to continue onto the Melbreak and parked cars.
here to edit.
Autumn Tints Wednesday 3rd August
On a lousy windy day with rain just stopped but still threatening the run was called off. However 3 of our brave members were determined not to let the weather keep them inside. They were Anita, John R and Steve L.
They parked their car up at Langwathby and rode through Little Salkeld (the Flour Mill Cafe was shut) and onto through Kirkoswald and onto the road to Ainstable. After departing Ainstable Steve L hit a hole in the road and got a puncture in his back wheel. Having fixed the puncture they rode on a short distance, when Steve’s back wheel jammed and when checked the gear change bracket on the frame had snapped. A kind farmer gave Steve a lift to a pub in Armathwaite but couldn't take the bike while the other two rode there.
After partaking in refreshment and lunch Steve L borrowed Anita's bike and he and John R rode back for the car to pick up the bike and Anita. As they started to climb back up the hill on the east side of the river the rain came down. They took the first right turn and rode back to Kirkoswald to cross the River Eden to the west side over a lovely sandstone bridge to climb out of Lazonby along the B6412, passing the road end to Eden Lacey, to Great Salkeld after which they met the A686 up to Langwathby and the car.
They then drove back to Ainstable to pick up Steve's bike and down to Armathwaite to pick up Anita who had been chatting to a very friendly barman.