Autumn Tints 30th August The Gather, Ennerdale Bridge by Steve Lunt
Meeting at Steve L's house at Padstow for coffee were Maurice (cycling in from Thornhill) Roy, John R, along with 2 grandsons Sam and Jonas, and Steve L.
Setting off from Padstow they made their way to Mill Hill crossing the the River Keekle over the bridge (not the ford) and through a small estate of houses to get onto the cycle path at Cleator Moor and so northwards to the very end of the route at Kirkland School road. Then through Kirkland Village and onto the long uphill drag above Kirkland that took them to the “Leaps” (an area of common on the top level close to Cogra Moss) where Ennerdale Summer Show was in full swing. Avoiding the crowded entrance the group turned right at this “T” junction heading steeply downhill towards Ennerdale via Croasdale Hill (Kelton Fell) and so to Ennerdale Bridge Village and lunch at “The Gather” - but not before taking a slight detour to go and look at the lake weir – contractors vehicles everywhere making changes to the water supply.
After lunch all except Steve L. rode to Wath Brow Bridge to take to the Dent Fell road to Egremont.
Steve rode the other way up to Kirkland Village then up the drag uphill again to the “Leaps” to meet up with his family who were at the Ennerdale Show to exhibit some practical work – Milena had a painting in and Romy some muffins with fresh summer floral blooms as a theme.
At the end of the afternoon John R and Grandsons had cycled back to Hensingham with Roy, Maurice to Thornhill and Steve L. home via Cleator Moor.
Apologies from the girls who would have loved to have been out cycling with us as part of “Schools Out” group – but the thrill of competition in a big show proved too strong!
Sunday 27th August Melbreak Hotel, Chapel Brow by Maurice Cowley
Due to members being otherwise occupied, only three met at the Melbreak Hotel for lunch and a chat. They were Maurice, Steve H, and Roy two of which were riders that day.
Roy had arrived on his bike having ridden from his home at Braithwaite along the A66 to Dubwath and took to the old road to Embleton after which he crossed the A66 to Hundith Hill. At the cross roads he took to the Strawberry How Road to reach Eaglesfield and then Greysouthen to drop down and then climb Chapel Brow to end up at the Melbreak Hotel.
Maurice had parked his car at Whitehaven, outside Steve H's house and rode the Whitehaven to Camerton cycle route and back, passing through Parton, Lowca, Distington, Workington, Seaton to reach Camerton and then reversed the route back to Steve H's House. He then brought Steve to the Melbreak Hotel for Lunch.
After and good lunch a a good chat about old times all three left, Maurice and Steve H by car and Roy by bike keeping to the lanes again to return home.
Autumn Tints Wednesday 23rd August.
With early morning rain that was set to improve by ten o'clock saw members make their way to Allonby by car.
They were Maggie, Sue, John, Roy, Paul and John R, already in the cafe was Maurice having parked his car in Maryport.
With the light rain having stopped and mist clearing over the Solway the group made a move.
Leaving Allonby the group headed up the coast road towards Silloth, turning right at Dubmill Point to Mawbray.
It was then along the quiet lanes to Tarns where they turned left onto the B5301 followed by a quick descent before turning right to Pelutho.
More quiet lanes before joining the B5302 into Abbeytown, turning left at the Road Closed sign to Seaville.
Having had a following wind most of the way, it was now into the wind, with John trying to get shelter from a thinned downed Maurice.
Crossing the busy B5302 it was on past Blackdyke to Causewayhead, avoiding the main road the group turned left to Bitterlees.
Still following Maurice the group finally arrived in Silloth in good time for lunch at the Fairydust Emporium, to be joined by Stewart who arrived later.
Crammed round a large table the group enjoyed a variety of sandwiches before settling of back to Allonby and parked cars.
Again Maurice led the group following the usual route back via Wolsty, Newtown and Maybray before joining the coast road into Allonby.
Maurice having parked his car in Maryport, Sue, Steve and the two John’s decided to ride with him back to Maryport.
At the golf course Steve decided to turn back leaving the rest to continue on to Maryport before turning round to ride back to Allonby.
On the way back they met Paul coming in the opposite direction, who joined the trio back to the farm at Blue Dial
After a welcome ice cream at the farm it was back on the bikes to Allonby and parked cars.
Sunday 20th August Club Run Abbeytown.
On a much improved day from the previous six members met at the Melbreak they were Maurice, Sue, John, Roy, Steve and Ivan.
Leaving the Melbreak it was on through Great Clifton to Workington, but not before the usual cuppa. Maurice having decided to park up in Maryport would meet up with the group in Allonby.
Joining the the cycle track in Workington the group off five continued onto Maryport to meet up with Maurice in the cafe at Allonby downing more cups of tea.
After a brief stop it was off again via Westnewton turning right at Aikshaw, with a following wind the group covered the final five miles in twenty minutes.
On arrival at the pub to find seated at the table were Tracy and Brian having cycled out from Allonby.
After a good lunch, the group now eight set of back to parked cars, going via Tarns and Mawbray back to Allonby.
Just as the group were about to leave Maggie and Stewart arrived unknown to some, as they entered by one door the group exited by another.
Saying goodbye to Tracy and Brian in Allonby it was off to Maryport to say goodbye to Maurice leaving the rest to continue onto Workington.
Stopping in Workington by the river it was agreed to continue on the cycle track to Distington, avoiding the short climbs back to the Melbreak. Leaving Distington was followed by the drag up to Winscales before the final descent to the Melbreak, and parked cars.
Autumn Tints Wednesday 16th August Pudding Lane Cafe, Seascale (Schools out group ride) by Steve Lunt
Meeting up at Summergrove Hotel were:- Steve L and Granddaughters Milena and Romy, Tom, John R and Grandson Sam, Anita, Paul C, Roy, John and Sue M, and Maurice. Anita had coffee with the group but had to return home to help her Dad.
The rest set off around 10:20am keeping as far as possible to quiet roads and cycle paths – at Woodend they took the road up then down to the cycle path into the “back way” of Egremont and down the Main Street and up onto the cycle path leading to Thornhill. Then along the narrow “Ginnel” to join the road to Beckermet, passing the White Mare Inn and soon after Beckermet Church (a small stone building on a hillock) and soon after onto the cycle path leading to the outskirts of the Sellafield Factory site area and then down from the Main Gate to Sellafield Raiway Station.
At this point John and Sue M and Maurice turn around (Maurice have other work to tend to) John and Sue wanting to stay on a firmer and less tricky route, all three chose to go to Singletons Cafe at Nethertown for their dinner and then to their cars at Summergrove.
The remainder of the group carried on to Seascale along the challenging “Cinder Track” and on to the Pudding Lane Cafe in Seascale Village.
Later, because of the threatening change in the weather we decided on the same route home: fortunately this time we had quite a strong tail wind – always a relief!
At the exit from Beckermet, John R and Sam turned left to take the St. Bees road and Sam home.
The next road in the general direction of St. Bees Tom took as a convenient means to home in Mirehouse.
The final few of us, Roy, Paul, Steve L and his two girls went home via the cycle way as far as Cleator Moor, then the road to Padstow and so to Summergrove, just before the weather turned lousy.
Sunday 13th August Waverley Hotel Whitehaven.
On a sunny morning with a cold westerly breeze Sue and John parked at the Brewers Fayre to cycle out to Whitehaven.
A quick cuppa in the cafe, before setting off to join the low road out off Cockermouth to meet up with Roy at the Melbreak.
The three then followed the cycle path towards Distington where they met up with Steve and John R coming in the opposite direction.
The pair having set off from Whitehaven did a u-turn to join the trio back to Whitehaven following the cycle path.
Leaving Parton one joins the old Wagon Way, now a trail for walkers and cyclists, but once, the route for coal from Parton to Whitehaven, and, at one time, vice versa.
At the Whitehaven end John R took us to the site of the William Pit. The mine was opened in 1805 and, finally, closed in 1955. In its life it claimed the lives of 300 Whitehaven men and boys. There were disasters in 1907 and 1941, but, in 1947, of the 121 men who were working underground, that August afternoon, 104 were killed, in an explosion. The tragedy was heightened by the report that every man killed had children. The shock waves were enormous. Surprisingly, this was not the worst disaster to hit the town as, in 1910, 136 men were killed in the Wellington Pit. In 1922, 39 men were killed in Haig Pit.
Moving on the group finally arrived at the Waverley in good time to be joined by Maurice, Steve H and Mavis.
After the usual chat and good meal members made a move for home, some on foot and others on two wheels.
The Braithwaite trio headed back the way they came Roy to the Melbreak, Sue and John to the Brewers Fayre and parked cars.
Autumn Tints Wednesday 9th August.
On a sunny morning with the forecast for a dry day, five members met at the Brewers Fayre, they were Stewart, Roy, Tom, Sue and John.
Steve and John R set off from Whitehaven to cycle to the Brewers Fayre to meet up with the rest.
On the way John realised one of his wheels was not running true, having no option but to turn back.
Calling at Ainfield Cycles on their way back to find it was a broken spoke that had caused the problem.
The five eventually set off following a route done by Stewart heading for the greenway
and on towards Setmurthy Common.
Following the steep descent the group turned left by Higham Hall continuing their descent to join the Isel road.
After crossing the river the group turned right heading for Sunderland and Threapland Moss before crossing the A595 to Threapland.
After a brief headwind it was on towards Gilcrux with a following wind, turning left in Gilcrux over Tallentire Hill with a splendid view across the Solway.
Regrouping at the top before the descent into Bridekirk avoiding the pot holes and gravel on the way down.
It was then onto Cockermouth for lunch at the Brewers Fayre to meet up with Maurice and Steve H also there were Joe and France's.
After a good lunch two for the price of one and the usual natter members left all on four wheels.
Sunday 6th August Stag Inn, Crosby by Steve Lunt
Meeting up at the Stag Inn, at Crosby (north of Maryport) for lunch, were Stewart and Maggie, Roy, John and Sue, John Rowell along with 2 grandsons Sam and Jonas, Steve L, Dave Swift all by bike, also Joe and Frances arriving by car after having done an exercise walk nearby.
Stewart and Maggie parked their camper van at Maryport and went Tour Competition point hunting in the area and finished off joining up with the rest for lunch at the Stag Inn.
The remainder of the riders (with the exception of two riders) drove to the Melbreak Hotel, Chapel Brow, to park up and ride out to Crosby via Great Clifton, Curwen Park and the cycle way north.
That leaves two riders, Dave S and Steve L who had made a pact to ride together from Whitehaven joining the cycle way at the rail station and riding north as far as Dunmail Retail Park Estate then transferring to the road itself for speed and directness, and with a helpful tail wind were soon at Crosby and the Stag Inn.
The route home; All decided to (mostly ride together in the same direction on the cycle way) – so leaving Maryport via the “back door” of the harbour down to the main road, now in pouring rain together with a headwind where they had to negotiate the testing “cattle crush” barrier (the test is to see if one can clear it whilst still balancing and adjusting without putting a foot down!). Then the route of the path takes the riders to the rear of Flimby Village round a couple of fields, over a bridge, through 3 gates and finally back to the A596 main road close by the Iggesund Factory, still on the cycle way and into Workington, in a straight line.
At the Derwent River Crossing, Steve L parted company and set off to look for Dave S who had ridden into ASDA Centre (call of nature) – the other riders having to follow the river path in the opposite direction to get to the next bridge and so to Curwen Park, through, and so on to Stainburn, Great Clifton and not far to the Melbreak Hotel and cars.
Finally, Steve L – now cold with the wind and rain – glad of a stop and pull in at ASDA – located Dave S's bike and tied up to it and after a brief snack break at the bike stand and after Dave S returned – they set off south to Whitehaven the usual cycle route where some shelter was gained by being behind trees and embankments – although the wind eased a little and so did the heavy rain – the rain came back again and set the theme for the rest of the evening.
Well done to the two young lads with us and their youthful energy and forbearance of the climate that day.
Some you win some you lose!!
Autumn Tints 2nd August The Strands, Nether Wasdale by Maurice Cowley
On a day that forecast rain 7 riders met at the Seascale Car Park for the ride to Wasdale Head. They were Stewart and Maggie, Roy, John R, Anita, Steve L and Maurice. Maurice had ridden from his home at Thornhill to join the group.
The route took them along the B5344 out of Seascale alongside the construction of a new cycle path to Gosforth. In the centre of Gosforth. a left was taken to traverse Wellington Bridge to leave Gosforth and struggle up Leagate Brow. This is where the rain started, it was not bad at this time but all the group caped up in any case. It was then a welcome downhill down Lane Side to pass the junctions to Nether Wasdale and climb up a brow below Buckbarrow Fell. Another welcome downhill took the group through Greendale and onto Wasdale Lake and a left turn towards Wasdale Head along side the lake.
The route from Gosforth so far had been sheltered from the wind but now the route was in the open and the group found the wind now extremely strong and they were very pleased to reach the Wasdale Head Hotel and time for a rest. While there and looking down the valley they saw what seemed like heavy rain heading their way so decided to make haste to Nether Wasdale for lunch and this time the rain was heavy but now there was a tailwind to help them along. Even so it was welcome when they left the lake and entered the wooded road as they passed the Wasdale Youth Hostel and finally reached Nether Wasdale for lunch.
A slight problem at The Strands, Nether Wasdale, it was quite full and in addition the chef was absent. Nether the less the pub staff rallied round and on the menu was sandwiches and/or chips or soup which suited the Solway riders. After a long chat during which the rain came down very heavy – Maurice decided it was time for him to leave as he was riding home.
Leaving the rest behind Maurice rode over the hill to Santon Bridge and then onto Gosforth where he took to the A595 main road all the way to his home at Thornhill.
The rest of the Solway riders followed in Maurice's wheel marks all the way to Gosforth and the onwards to the Seascale Car Park and their cars to depart to their various destinations.
ick here to edit.
Meeting at Steve L's house at Padstow for coffee were Maurice (cycling in from Thornhill) Roy, John R, along with 2 grandsons Sam and Jonas, and Steve L.
Setting off from Padstow they made their way to Mill Hill crossing the the River Keekle over the bridge (not the ford) and through a small estate of houses to get onto the cycle path at Cleator Moor and so northwards to the very end of the route at Kirkland School road. Then through Kirkland Village and onto the long uphill drag above Kirkland that took them to the “Leaps” (an area of common on the top level close to Cogra Moss) where Ennerdale Summer Show was in full swing. Avoiding the crowded entrance the group turned right at this “T” junction heading steeply downhill towards Ennerdale via Croasdale Hill (Kelton Fell) and so to Ennerdale Bridge Village and lunch at “The Gather” - but not before taking a slight detour to go and look at the lake weir – contractors vehicles everywhere making changes to the water supply.
After lunch all except Steve L. rode to Wath Brow Bridge to take to the Dent Fell road to Egremont.
Steve rode the other way up to Kirkland Village then up the drag uphill again to the “Leaps” to meet up with his family who were at the Ennerdale Show to exhibit some practical work – Milena had a painting in and Romy some muffins with fresh summer floral blooms as a theme.
At the end of the afternoon John R and Grandsons had cycled back to Hensingham with Roy, Maurice to Thornhill and Steve L. home via Cleator Moor.
Apologies from the girls who would have loved to have been out cycling with us as part of “Schools Out” group – but the thrill of competition in a big show proved too strong!
Sunday 27th August Melbreak Hotel, Chapel Brow by Maurice Cowley
Due to members being otherwise occupied, only three met at the Melbreak Hotel for lunch and a chat. They were Maurice, Steve H, and Roy two of which were riders that day.
Roy had arrived on his bike having ridden from his home at Braithwaite along the A66 to Dubwath and took to the old road to Embleton after which he crossed the A66 to Hundith Hill. At the cross roads he took to the Strawberry How Road to reach Eaglesfield and then Greysouthen to drop down and then climb Chapel Brow to end up at the Melbreak Hotel.
Maurice had parked his car at Whitehaven, outside Steve H's house and rode the Whitehaven to Camerton cycle route and back, passing through Parton, Lowca, Distington, Workington, Seaton to reach Camerton and then reversed the route back to Steve H's House. He then brought Steve to the Melbreak Hotel for Lunch.
After and good lunch a a good chat about old times all three left, Maurice and Steve H by car and Roy by bike keeping to the lanes again to return home.
Autumn Tints Wednesday 23rd August.
With early morning rain that was set to improve by ten o'clock saw members make their way to Allonby by car.
They were Maggie, Sue, John, Roy, Paul and John R, already in the cafe was Maurice having parked his car in Maryport.
With the light rain having stopped and mist clearing over the Solway the group made a move.
Leaving Allonby the group headed up the coast road towards Silloth, turning right at Dubmill Point to Mawbray.
It was then along the quiet lanes to Tarns where they turned left onto the B5301 followed by a quick descent before turning right to Pelutho.
More quiet lanes before joining the B5302 into Abbeytown, turning left at the Road Closed sign to Seaville.
Having had a following wind most of the way, it was now into the wind, with John trying to get shelter from a thinned downed Maurice.
Crossing the busy B5302 it was on past Blackdyke to Causewayhead, avoiding the main road the group turned left to Bitterlees.
Still following Maurice the group finally arrived in Silloth in good time for lunch at the Fairydust Emporium, to be joined by Stewart who arrived later.
Crammed round a large table the group enjoyed a variety of sandwiches before settling of back to Allonby and parked cars.
Again Maurice led the group following the usual route back via Wolsty, Newtown and Maybray before joining the coast road into Allonby.
Maurice having parked his car in Maryport, Sue, Steve and the two John’s decided to ride with him back to Maryport.
At the golf course Steve decided to turn back leaving the rest to continue on to Maryport before turning round to ride back to Allonby.
On the way back they met Paul coming in the opposite direction, who joined the trio back to the farm at Blue Dial
After a welcome ice cream at the farm it was back on the bikes to Allonby and parked cars.
Sunday 20th August Club Run Abbeytown.
On a much improved day from the previous six members met at the Melbreak they were Maurice, Sue, John, Roy, Steve and Ivan.
Leaving the Melbreak it was on through Great Clifton to Workington, but not before the usual cuppa. Maurice having decided to park up in Maryport would meet up with the group in Allonby.
Joining the the cycle track in Workington the group off five continued onto Maryport to meet up with Maurice in the cafe at Allonby downing more cups of tea.
After a brief stop it was off again via Westnewton turning right at Aikshaw, with a following wind the group covered the final five miles in twenty minutes.
On arrival at the pub to find seated at the table were Tracy and Brian having cycled out from Allonby.
After a good lunch, the group now eight set of back to parked cars, going via Tarns and Mawbray back to Allonby.
Just as the group were about to leave Maggie and Stewart arrived unknown to some, as they entered by one door the group exited by another.
Saying goodbye to Tracy and Brian in Allonby it was off to Maryport to say goodbye to Maurice leaving the rest to continue onto Workington.
Stopping in Workington by the river it was agreed to continue on the cycle track to Distington, avoiding the short climbs back to the Melbreak. Leaving Distington was followed by the drag up to Winscales before the final descent to the Melbreak, and parked cars.
Autumn Tints Wednesday 16th August Pudding Lane Cafe, Seascale (Schools out group ride) by Steve Lunt
Meeting up at Summergrove Hotel were:- Steve L and Granddaughters Milena and Romy, Tom, John R and Grandson Sam, Anita, Paul C, Roy, John and Sue M, and Maurice. Anita had coffee with the group but had to return home to help her Dad.
The rest set off around 10:20am keeping as far as possible to quiet roads and cycle paths – at Woodend they took the road up then down to the cycle path into the “back way” of Egremont and down the Main Street and up onto the cycle path leading to Thornhill. Then along the narrow “Ginnel” to join the road to Beckermet, passing the White Mare Inn and soon after Beckermet Church (a small stone building on a hillock) and soon after onto the cycle path leading to the outskirts of the Sellafield Factory site area and then down from the Main Gate to Sellafield Raiway Station.
At this point John and Sue M and Maurice turn around (Maurice have other work to tend to) John and Sue wanting to stay on a firmer and less tricky route, all three chose to go to Singletons Cafe at Nethertown for their dinner and then to their cars at Summergrove.
The remainder of the group carried on to Seascale along the challenging “Cinder Track” and on to the Pudding Lane Cafe in Seascale Village.
Later, because of the threatening change in the weather we decided on the same route home: fortunately this time we had quite a strong tail wind – always a relief!
At the exit from Beckermet, John R and Sam turned left to take the St. Bees road and Sam home.
The next road in the general direction of St. Bees Tom took as a convenient means to home in Mirehouse.
The final few of us, Roy, Paul, Steve L and his two girls went home via the cycle way as far as Cleator Moor, then the road to Padstow and so to Summergrove, just before the weather turned lousy.
Sunday 13th August Waverley Hotel Whitehaven.
On a sunny morning with a cold westerly breeze Sue and John parked at the Brewers Fayre to cycle out to Whitehaven.
A quick cuppa in the cafe, before setting off to join the low road out off Cockermouth to meet up with Roy at the Melbreak.
The three then followed the cycle path towards Distington where they met up with Steve and John R coming in the opposite direction.
The pair having set off from Whitehaven did a u-turn to join the trio back to Whitehaven following the cycle path.
Leaving Parton one joins the old Wagon Way, now a trail for walkers and cyclists, but once, the route for coal from Parton to Whitehaven, and, at one time, vice versa.
At the Whitehaven end John R took us to the site of the William Pit. The mine was opened in 1805 and, finally, closed in 1955. In its life it claimed the lives of 300 Whitehaven men and boys. There were disasters in 1907 and 1941, but, in 1947, of the 121 men who were working underground, that August afternoon, 104 were killed, in an explosion. The tragedy was heightened by the report that every man killed had children. The shock waves were enormous. Surprisingly, this was not the worst disaster to hit the town as, in 1910, 136 men were killed in the Wellington Pit. In 1922, 39 men were killed in Haig Pit.
Moving on the group finally arrived at the Waverley in good time to be joined by Maurice, Steve H and Mavis.
After the usual chat and good meal members made a move for home, some on foot and others on two wheels.
The Braithwaite trio headed back the way they came Roy to the Melbreak, Sue and John to the Brewers Fayre and parked cars.
Autumn Tints Wednesday 9th August.
On a sunny morning with the forecast for a dry day, five members met at the Brewers Fayre, they were Stewart, Roy, Tom, Sue and John.
Steve and John R set off from Whitehaven to cycle to the Brewers Fayre to meet up with the rest.
On the way John realised one of his wheels was not running true, having no option but to turn back.
Calling at Ainfield Cycles on their way back to find it was a broken spoke that had caused the problem.
The five eventually set off following a route done by Stewart heading for the greenway
and on towards Setmurthy Common.
Following the steep descent the group turned left by Higham Hall continuing their descent to join the Isel road.
After crossing the river the group turned right heading for Sunderland and Threapland Moss before crossing the A595 to Threapland.
After a brief headwind it was on towards Gilcrux with a following wind, turning left in Gilcrux over Tallentire Hill with a splendid view across the Solway.
Regrouping at the top before the descent into Bridekirk avoiding the pot holes and gravel on the way down.
It was then onto Cockermouth for lunch at the Brewers Fayre to meet up with Maurice and Steve H also there were Joe and France's.
After a good lunch two for the price of one and the usual natter members left all on four wheels.
Sunday 6th August Stag Inn, Crosby by Steve Lunt
Meeting up at the Stag Inn, at Crosby (north of Maryport) for lunch, were Stewart and Maggie, Roy, John and Sue, John Rowell along with 2 grandsons Sam and Jonas, Steve L, Dave Swift all by bike, also Joe and Frances arriving by car after having done an exercise walk nearby.
Stewart and Maggie parked their camper van at Maryport and went Tour Competition point hunting in the area and finished off joining up with the rest for lunch at the Stag Inn.
The remainder of the riders (with the exception of two riders) drove to the Melbreak Hotel, Chapel Brow, to park up and ride out to Crosby via Great Clifton, Curwen Park and the cycle way north.
That leaves two riders, Dave S and Steve L who had made a pact to ride together from Whitehaven joining the cycle way at the rail station and riding north as far as Dunmail Retail Park Estate then transferring to the road itself for speed and directness, and with a helpful tail wind were soon at Crosby and the Stag Inn.
The route home; All decided to (mostly ride together in the same direction on the cycle way) – so leaving Maryport via the “back door” of the harbour down to the main road, now in pouring rain together with a headwind where they had to negotiate the testing “cattle crush” barrier (the test is to see if one can clear it whilst still balancing and adjusting without putting a foot down!). Then the route of the path takes the riders to the rear of Flimby Village round a couple of fields, over a bridge, through 3 gates and finally back to the A596 main road close by the Iggesund Factory, still on the cycle way and into Workington, in a straight line.
At the Derwent River Crossing, Steve L parted company and set off to look for Dave S who had ridden into ASDA Centre (call of nature) – the other riders having to follow the river path in the opposite direction to get to the next bridge and so to Curwen Park, through, and so on to Stainburn, Great Clifton and not far to the Melbreak Hotel and cars.
Finally, Steve L – now cold with the wind and rain – glad of a stop and pull in at ASDA – located Dave S's bike and tied up to it and after a brief snack break at the bike stand and after Dave S returned – they set off south to Whitehaven the usual cycle route where some shelter was gained by being behind trees and embankments – although the wind eased a little and so did the heavy rain – the rain came back again and set the theme for the rest of the evening.
Well done to the two young lads with us and their youthful energy and forbearance of the climate that day.
Some you win some you lose!!
Autumn Tints 2nd August The Strands, Nether Wasdale by Maurice Cowley
On a day that forecast rain 7 riders met at the Seascale Car Park for the ride to Wasdale Head. They were Stewart and Maggie, Roy, John R, Anita, Steve L and Maurice. Maurice had ridden from his home at Thornhill to join the group.
The route took them along the B5344 out of Seascale alongside the construction of a new cycle path to Gosforth. In the centre of Gosforth. a left was taken to traverse Wellington Bridge to leave Gosforth and struggle up Leagate Brow. This is where the rain started, it was not bad at this time but all the group caped up in any case. It was then a welcome downhill down Lane Side to pass the junctions to Nether Wasdale and climb up a brow below Buckbarrow Fell. Another welcome downhill took the group through Greendale and onto Wasdale Lake and a left turn towards Wasdale Head along side the lake.
The route from Gosforth so far had been sheltered from the wind but now the route was in the open and the group found the wind now extremely strong and they were very pleased to reach the Wasdale Head Hotel and time for a rest. While there and looking down the valley they saw what seemed like heavy rain heading their way so decided to make haste to Nether Wasdale for lunch and this time the rain was heavy but now there was a tailwind to help them along. Even so it was welcome when they left the lake and entered the wooded road as they passed the Wasdale Youth Hostel and finally reached Nether Wasdale for lunch.
A slight problem at The Strands, Nether Wasdale, it was quite full and in addition the chef was absent. Nether the less the pub staff rallied round and on the menu was sandwiches and/or chips or soup which suited the Solway riders. After a long chat during which the rain came down very heavy – Maurice decided it was time for him to leave as he was riding home.
Leaving the rest behind Maurice rode over the hill to Santon Bridge and then onto Gosforth where he took to the A595 main road all the way to his home at Thornhill.
The rest of the Solway riders followed in Maurice's wheel marks all the way to Gosforth and the onwards to the Seascale Car Park and their cars to depart to their various destinations.
ick here to edit.