Sunday 30th December Wild Duck Branthwaite.
Waking to a wet and overcast sky, Sue and John decided to leave Braithwaite no matter what the weather on their e-bikes.
Leaving just after ten o'clock with rain having stopped they headed through Thornthwaite to join the A66.
On reaching the Pheasant Hotel at Dubwath they turned left up the hill to Wythop Mill this was followed by the steep climb out of Wythop Mill.
It was then onto Hundith crossroads then over the bridge at Southwaite Mill (due to close from the 7th January for six weeks).
Approaching Paddle School Dianne was spotted ridding along the A5086 towards Paddle School where she turned right towards Eaglesfield.
Between Eaglesfield and Deanscales the duo caught up with Dianne this was followed with Dianne and Sue talking all the way to Dean.
On arrival in Dean with time to spare they decided to make their way via Ullock arriving in Branthwaite just as Tom and Roy appeared.
Inside the pub were Maurice, Tracy and Brian, eventually thirteen members sat down for lunch.
After lunch first to leave were Tracy and Brian followed shortly after by Maurice all on four wheels including Steve and Dave.
The rest on two wheels left together although in different directions, Stewart back to Ullock and parked vehicle, while Tom headed towards Lillyhall.
Roy having parked his car at the Brewers Fayre took a flyer, only to be caught on the drag out of Deanscales.
Sue and Paul took the flatter road out of Deanscales who were not seen again, while Sue and John said goodbye to Dianne and Roy at Paddle School.
The Braithwaite duo made their way to Embleton, Dubwath to join the A66 as light faded back through Thornthwaite to Braithwaite.
Sunday 23rd December Club Run from Mebreak.
On a rather wet morning only five members ventured to the start point, they were Sue, Maggie, Stewart, Roy and John.
Before setting off it was the usual tea and coffee in the Melbreak, in what has become the Solway corner.
With the clock showing ten thirty and all togged up in wet weather gear, the group set of with Roy on the front.
It was the usual route using the cycle way into Whitehaven stopping at the Beacon to collect tour point before picking up cycle way again.
Sue found herself on the front and the pace increased as they negotiated their way out of Whitehaven, followed by the drag up to Moor Row.
The rain had been quite light and with hardly any wind to speak off, soon had other ideas as they made their final couple of miles to Rowrah.
On arrival at the cafe (Ennerdale Brewery) they found Dianne, Janet, Tracy, Maurice, Tom, Brian, Ivan and John M all having had their lunch.
After a good lunch and a long chat for some it was time to leave with everyone wishing each other a Happy Christmas.
For the two wheel group the rain had almost stopped but the mist had descended so it was on with front and rear lights as they joined the main road.
With the visibility down to about two hundred yards they continued along the main road, turning left by Mockerkin Tarn to Ullock.
From Ullock they followed the lanes to Dean and Greysouthen for the final climb of the ride up Chapel Brow to parked vehicles.
Dianne set of from home got as far as Eaglefield and decided to turn round due to the weather getting worse.
Tom also braved the weather and rode from home using the cycle way to Rowrah returning the same way.
Autumn Tints Wednesday 19th December.
In a cosy corner of the Melbreak Hotel sat seven members all drinking tea they were Maurice, Sue, Tom, Roy, Dianne and the two John's.
Dianne the only one to cycle from home arrived a bit later than usual having forgotten to charge her e-bike battery.
The group in no particular hurry to leave finished of all the pots of tea, Maurice downing five cups.
Eventually someone said it was time to leave the comfort of the Hotel and head out into the cold although quite warm for December.
Maurice with two dogs to exercise drove of arranging to meet up with the rest again in Maryport for lunch.
With Roy on the front the group set of following the usual wheel tracks to Maryport with a following wind most of the way.
Arriving early, Maurice was nowhere to be seen having lunched at the fish shop although he joined the group later for a pot of tea.
Also joining the group was Ivan having just come back from sunning himself along with Janet in the Canneries.
Lunch and chat over the two wheelers left Maryport into the wind with dark clouds visible in the distance, leaving Maurice and Ivan to their four wheels.
Not long out of Maryport and it was on with more wet gear as the rain descended on the group albeit on and off.
At Flimby Dianne said goodbye has she made her way up the hill to Broughton Moor then onto Great Broughton and home
The rest continued to follow their tyre tracks back to the Melbreak and parked vehicles.
Sunday 16th December Waverley Hotel, Whitehaven by Maurice Cowley
Meeting at the Waverley hotel were 9 members, they were Dianne, Roy, Maurice, Steve H, Mavis and John R, Tom, Dave Swift and Steve L. Only 2 had ridden there.
Roy had parked his car at The Melbreak Hotel, Chapel Brow and ridden all the way on the cycle path via Distington, Lowca and Parton to reach The Waverley and lunch with the rest of the group.
Dianne had left home at Cockermouth on her e-bike passing the Brewers Fayre and turning up to Eaglesfield and on to Dean. There she took the Branthwaite road after which she turned left on to the Dean Cross road and turned right to get to Gilgarron where she turn right again to pass the Crematorium and reach the old Distington bypass (which is now a quiet road since they built the new bypass), Then Dianne turned down the Lowca road passing the Moresby Hall on the way after which turning down to Parton she then rode along the Parton/Whitehaven coastal cycle track to reach Whitehaven and the Waverley for lunch.
After lunch all left the same way as they came in cars etc. Dianne and Roy routes home was more or less the same way as they came.
Autumn Tints Wednesday 12th December Royal Yew Dean.
On a pleasant morning with a cold south easterly wind, nine members met at the Brewers Fayre.
They were John and Dianne, Roy, Stewart, Johnny, John R, and Dave from Camerton plus Sue and John.
With Dianne as group leader and route agreed they set of heading for Paddle School where they turned left to Southwaite Mill.
Stopping on the bridge at Southwaite to admire the newly pointed stone parapet which had closed the road for several weeks.
The stop was followed by the climb to Hundith crossroads to join the Lorton road mostly downhill into High Lorton, crossing the River Cocker again to Rodgerscales.
At Sandy Beck Bridge the group turned left onto a well worn farm lane to Brandlingill collecting tour point.
It was then on through Pardshaw where they said goodbye to Johnny, before crossing the A5086 to Dean for lunch.
Lunch and chat over and an extended ride back agreed, the group said goodbye to Stewart who took the direct route back to the Brewers Fayre.
The rest took the slightly undulating road to Greysouthen, then onto Brigham, taking the high road to join the A66.
Saying goodbye to Dianne the rest continued along the A66 turning right on the roundabout back to the Brewers Fayre.
Sunday 9th December Christmas Dinner Hundith Hill Hotel
Autumn Tints Wednesday 5th December
Ride cancelled due to weather
Sunday 2nd December Oddfellows Arms Caldbeck
On a wet morning Sue and John left Braithwaite all togged up in wet weather gear heading for Caldbeck, with a hilly ride in prospect they opted for their e-bikes.
With low mist and heavy rain coupled with pools of standing water they heading along the A66 to join the A591.
With the rain getting heavier they continued on the A591 to Parkerside where they turned right to High Side.
Leaving the A591 the road climbs steeply with occasional downhill before reaching Orthwaite with Over Water peering out of the mist.
More climbing before joining the fell road, with the rain still falling and parts of the body feeling wet, it was mostly downhill to Caldbeck for lunch.
On arrival they found Paul Reid outside the pub having ridden his trike from his home in Brackenthwaite.
Next to arrive were Tracy and Brian having parked there van outside the pub, and ridden to Hesket Newmarket and back.
Not far behind were Maurice, Tom and Roy having parked their vehicles in Mungrisdale, arriving with Jim Lawley who had cycled from Greystoke.
Also there for lunch were Brenda and George from Ulverston plus Paul's wife Ilene, this was a joint lunch for the Solway and the Trike Association.
After a good expensive lunch members and friends left the way they had arrived.
With rain still falling Maurice, Tom and Roy along with Jim Lawley who rode with them as far as Millhouse where they parted company, Jim heading for Greystoke, while the other three rode upwards to Newsham to collect a tour point then onto Mungrisdale..
Sue and John followed their tyre tracks part the way back to Mungrisdale where they continued on to cross the A66 to Wallthwaite.
After the climb from Wallthwaite it was onto the cycle path to Threlkeld to cross the A66 again to Burns and on through Keswick back to Braithwaite very wet.
Waking to a wet and overcast sky, Sue and John decided to leave Braithwaite no matter what the weather on their e-bikes.
Leaving just after ten o'clock with rain having stopped they headed through Thornthwaite to join the A66.
On reaching the Pheasant Hotel at Dubwath they turned left up the hill to Wythop Mill this was followed by the steep climb out of Wythop Mill.
It was then onto Hundith crossroads then over the bridge at Southwaite Mill (due to close from the 7th January for six weeks).
Approaching Paddle School Dianne was spotted ridding along the A5086 towards Paddle School where she turned right towards Eaglesfield.
Between Eaglesfield and Deanscales the duo caught up with Dianne this was followed with Dianne and Sue talking all the way to Dean.
On arrival in Dean with time to spare they decided to make their way via Ullock arriving in Branthwaite just as Tom and Roy appeared.
Inside the pub were Maurice, Tracy and Brian, eventually thirteen members sat down for lunch.
After lunch first to leave were Tracy and Brian followed shortly after by Maurice all on four wheels including Steve and Dave.
The rest on two wheels left together although in different directions, Stewart back to Ullock and parked vehicle, while Tom headed towards Lillyhall.
Roy having parked his car at the Brewers Fayre took a flyer, only to be caught on the drag out of Deanscales.
Sue and Paul took the flatter road out of Deanscales who were not seen again, while Sue and John said goodbye to Dianne and Roy at Paddle School.
The Braithwaite duo made their way to Embleton, Dubwath to join the A66 as light faded back through Thornthwaite to Braithwaite.
Sunday 23rd December Club Run from Mebreak.
On a rather wet morning only five members ventured to the start point, they were Sue, Maggie, Stewart, Roy and John.
Before setting off it was the usual tea and coffee in the Melbreak, in what has become the Solway corner.
With the clock showing ten thirty and all togged up in wet weather gear, the group set of with Roy on the front.
It was the usual route using the cycle way into Whitehaven stopping at the Beacon to collect tour point before picking up cycle way again.
Sue found herself on the front and the pace increased as they negotiated their way out of Whitehaven, followed by the drag up to Moor Row.
The rain had been quite light and with hardly any wind to speak off, soon had other ideas as they made their final couple of miles to Rowrah.
On arrival at the cafe (Ennerdale Brewery) they found Dianne, Janet, Tracy, Maurice, Tom, Brian, Ivan and John M all having had their lunch.
After a good lunch and a long chat for some it was time to leave with everyone wishing each other a Happy Christmas.
For the two wheel group the rain had almost stopped but the mist had descended so it was on with front and rear lights as they joined the main road.
With the visibility down to about two hundred yards they continued along the main road, turning left by Mockerkin Tarn to Ullock.
From Ullock they followed the lanes to Dean and Greysouthen for the final climb of the ride up Chapel Brow to parked vehicles.
Dianne set of from home got as far as Eaglefield and decided to turn round due to the weather getting worse.
Tom also braved the weather and rode from home using the cycle way to Rowrah returning the same way.
Autumn Tints Wednesday 19th December.
In a cosy corner of the Melbreak Hotel sat seven members all drinking tea they were Maurice, Sue, Tom, Roy, Dianne and the two John's.
Dianne the only one to cycle from home arrived a bit later than usual having forgotten to charge her e-bike battery.
The group in no particular hurry to leave finished of all the pots of tea, Maurice downing five cups.
Eventually someone said it was time to leave the comfort of the Hotel and head out into the cold although quite warm for December.
Maurice with two dogs to exercise drove of arranging to meet up with the rest again in Maryport for lunch.
With Roy on the front the group set of following the usual wheel tracks to Maryport with a following wind most of the way.
Arriving early, Maurice was nowhere to be seen having lunched at the fish shop although he joined the group later for a pot of tea.
Also joining the group was Ivan having just come back from sunning himself along with Janet in the Canneries.
Lunch and chat over the two wheelers left Maryport into the wind with dark clouds visible in the distance, leaving Maurice and Ivan to their four wheels.
Not long out of Maryport and it was on with more wet gear as the rain descended on the group albeit on and off.
At Flimby Dianne said goodbye has she made her way up the hill to Broughton Moor then onto Great Broughton and home
The rest continued to follow their tyre tracks back to the Melbreak and parked vehicles.
Sunday 16th December Waverley Hotel, Whitehaven by Maurice Cowley
Meeting at the Waverley hotel were 9 members, they were Dianne, Roy, Maurice, Steve H, Mavis and John R, Tom, Dave Swift and Steve L. Only 2 had ridden there.
Roy had parked his car at The Melbreak Hotel, Chapel Brow and ridden all the way on the cycle path via Distington, Lowca and Parton to reach The Waverley and lunch with the rest of the group.
Dianne had left home at Cockermouth on her e-bike passing the Brewers Fayre and turning up to Eaglesfield and on to Dean. There she took the Branthwaite road after which she turned left on to the Dean Cross road and turned right to get to Gilgarron where she turn right again to pass the Crematorium and reach the old Distington bypass (which is now a quiet road since they built the new bypass), Then Dianne turned down the Lowca road passing the Moresby Hall on the way after which turning down to Parton she then rode along the Parton/Whitehaven coastal cycle track to reach Whitehaven and the Waverley for lunch.
After lunch all left the same way as they came in cars etc. Dianne and Roy routes home was more or less the same way as they came.
Autumn Tints Wednesday 12th December Royal Yew Dean.
On a pleasant morning with a cold south easterly wind, nine members met at the Brewers Fayre.
They were John and Dianne, Roy, Stewart, Johnny, John R, and Dave from Camerton plus Sue and John.
With Dianne as group leader and route agreed they set of heading for Paddle School where they turned left to Southwaite Mill.
Stopping on the bridge at Southwaite to admire the newly pointed stone parapet which had closed the road for several weeks.
The stop was followed by the climb to Hundith crossroads to join the Lorton road mostly downhill into High Lorton, crossing the River Cocker again to Rodgerscales.
At Sandy Beck Bridge the group turned left onto a well worn farm lane to Brandlingill collecting tour point.
It was then on through Pardshaw where they said goodbye to Johnny, before crossing the A5086 to Dean for lunch.
Lunch and chat over and an extended ride back agreed, the group said goodbye to Stewart who took the direct route back to the Brewers Fayre.
The rest took the slightly undulating road to Greysouthen, then onto Brigham, taking the high road to join the A66.
Saying goodbye to Dianne the rest continued along the A66 turning right on the roundabout back to the Brewers Fayre.
Sunday 9th December Christmas Dinner Hundith Hill Hotel
Autumn Tints Wednesday 5th December
Ride cancelled due to weather
Sunday 2nd December Oddfellows Arms Caldbeck
On a wet morning Sue and John left Braithwaite all togged up in wet weather gear heading for Caldbeck, with a hilly ride in prospect they opted for their e-bikes.
With low mist and heavy rain coupled with pools of standing water they heading along the A66 to join the A591.
With the rain getting heavier they continued on the A591 to Parkerside where they turned right to High Side.
Leaving the A591 the road climbs steeply with occasional downhill before reaching Orthwaite with Over Water peering out of the mist.
More climbing before joining the fell road, with the rain still falling and parts of the body feeling wet, it was mostly downhill to Caldbeck for lunch.
On arrival they found Paul Reid outside the pub having ridden his trike from his home in Brackenthwaite.
Next to arrive were Tracy and Brian having parked there van outside the pub, and ridden to Hesket Newmarket and back.
Not far behind were Maurice, Tom and Roy having parked their vehicles in Mungrisdale, arriving with Jim Lawley who had cycled from Greystoke.
Also there for lunch were Brenda and George from Ulverston plus Paul's wife Ilene, this was a joint lunch for the Solway and the Trike Association.
After a good expensive lunch members and friends left the way they had arrived.
With rain still falling Maurice, Tom and Roy along with Jim Lawley who rode with them as far as Millhouse where they parted company, Jim heading for Greystoke, while the other three rode upwards to Newsham to collect a tour point then onto Mungrisdale..
Sue and John followed their tyre tracks part the way back to Mungrisdale where they continued on to cross the A66 to Wallthwaite.
After the climb from Wallthwaite it was onto the cycle path to Threlkeld to cross the A66 again to Burns and on through Keswick back to Braithwaite very wet.