Sunday 29th December Brewers Fayre, Cockermouth. By Maurice Cowley
On a very windy dull day meeting at the Brewers Fayre, Cockermouth for lunch were Tracy and Brian “Bacca” Moore, Ivan and Janet Morris, John and Sue M, Roy, Clive “Big” Tom, Maurice.
Maurice “Big” Tom and Clive gathered at Brewers Fayre, Cockermouth to start their ride. Maurice had sorted the route that would take them approximately 2 hours.
They started by going into Cockermouth and onto the Greenway to leave on the Strawberry How road and then passing the Hundith Hill Hotel entrance to reach the Lorton Valley road which put them going straight into the strong wind. With the strength of the wind this started Maurice's injured leg hurting so he decided he would turn back when they arrived at Low Lorton. Clive also decided to join him so the two of them retraced their route back to the Brewers Fayre. Tom carried on down the Lorton Valley to return after Scalehill Bridge by climbing up to the Thackthwaite road and passing through Thackthwaite and Low Lorton, Rogerscale, Brandlingill, Eaglefield Paddle School and onto Brewers Fayre for lunch with the others.
Brian “Bacca” had parked his van at Embleton and rode out as far as Bassenthwaite village before returning to his van to come to the Brewers Fayre. During his ride he saw a cyclist while crossing the Ouse Bridge being caught by a gust of wind and very nearly ending up in the river below.
Roy rode to the lunch stop by the back side of Bassenthwaite Lake, Scarness, Bassenthwaite Village, Castle Inn, Ouse Bridge, Embleton and on to Cockermouth to reach Brewers Fayre. Roy was the only one to ride back home. His return route was via Paddle School, Southwaite Mill, Hundith Hill, Embleton, Dubwath and onto the A66 to reach Braithwaite and home.
The rest of the group had arrived by car.
After a very good lunch and chat, with the exception of Roy, they all returned home by four wheels.
Sunday 22nd December Club Run Ennerdale Brewery Rowrah.
On a damp morning John M left Braithwaite heading for the Brewers Fayre for the club run. Taking the most direct route it was on through Thornthwaite to join the A66 to continue to the roundabout at Cockermouth. On arriving at the Brewers Fayre already sat in the warm surroundings were Stewart, Roy, Sue and Paul.
After a lengthy chat Sue and Paul left leaving Stewart, Roy and John to ride out to Rowrah, with Roy and John on their e-bikes, Stewart rode on the front setting the pace. Leaving the car park they turned left to Paddle School here they turned right to Eaglesfield as rain threatened. With darker clouds forming in the distance it was not long before the rain appeared as they climbed steadily towards Lamplugh Church.
Joining the A5086 for the third time they took a left turn to Kirkland with the rain having decided to settle in. Finally they arrived at the Ennerdale Brewery rather wet to find Tracy, Tom, Maurice, John R, Janet and Ivan followed later by Maggie.
Maurice had left his car outside Steve H's home in Whitehaven to meet “Big” Tom and John R at the Whitehaven Marina hub to ride up the Whitehaven to Rowrah cycleway to the Ennerdale brewery Restaurant. However Tom and Maurice had decided they would take in a track to gain some points for the Tour Comp and all three left the cycleway just before going under the A595 to ride through Bigrigg, taking a right turn to ride past Pallaflats and over the hill passing the TV Mast then taking a left turn up the track to reach Watson Hill and arrive out onto Egremont to St. Bees road. Just after the three had arrive at the end of the track it started to pour down with rain and did not stop until they reached their lunch stop. Riding down the hill towards St.Bees to take the first right and head back to Bigrigg and the A595. Soon glad to be off the main road and drop down to Woodend to reach Moor Row and the cycle way once more to ride up to the Ennerdale Brewery to meet up with the rest of the group and lunch.
After a good lunch and banter members started to make a move, Maurice, Tom and John R headed for the cycle way and rode back down to Whitehaven.
The rest apart from Roy and John made their way home by car including Stewart who had it organised to get a lift back with Maggie.
With Roy on the front and making the best of his electric assistance they soon reached Paddle School, having gone via Ullock, Dean and Eaglesfield in persistent rain.
Here they parted Roy going back to his car at the Brewers Fayre, while John continued on to Braithwaite via Hundith, Embleton and the A66, arriving back rather wet and cold.
Wednesday 18th December Brewer’s Fayre to Brewer’s Fayre by Dianne Moyes
A very icy start to the day meant that John and I walked to Brewer’s Fayre though were surprised to see Maggie and Stewart coming round the roundabout on their bikes having ridden from home. Maurice, Tom, Clive and Roy turned up prepared for the cold. Over coffee we decided to head out to Dubwath to the old station site to see the engine and three carriages that have appeared this week. Maurice headed off to walk the dogs while I headed home to get my bike now the frost had melted. I went on the main road and met up with the others as they dropped into Embleton. Roy was on his old bike and had had a bit of trouble with his gears. At the station site right opposite the entrance to Silver Meadows nature reserve, we met the owner who had bought the ruin of the booking office and the land first then bought the adjacent station master’s house. The train is the replica of the Orient Express which was used on the film set of Murder on the Orient Express starring Judi Dench, he is going to renovate the ruin and create a cafe and restaurant. One of the carriages will be for private hire. The train is standing at the excavated platform, on rails made originally in Workington, with ballast of Shap granite.
We made our way back the same way to find John and Sue had joined us for a very pleasant lunch.
Sunday 15th December Waverley Hotel, Whitehaven by Maurice Cowley
On a cold and frosty day with snow in the hedgerows 8 members met at The Waverley for lunch none had rode their bikes there due to the weather. They were, Maurice, Steve H, Tom, Roy and Ruth, Dianne and John, Dave Swift. “Big” Tom had got his bike out and rode about ½ a mile and turned around and put it away again.
After a good lunch and lively chat and feeling well fed all left they way they arrived either walking or in cars
Wednesday 11th December Craggs Bothel by Dianne Moyes
Meeting at Brewer’s Fayre near Cockermouth for coffee were John Moyes,me Dianne, Maurice, Steve, John Rowell, Roy, Stewart and Tom. Steve and Maurice had planned to go for a walk, and John Moyes and Stewart were not cycling so that left 4 to cycle via the Greenway and Beech Lane to Isel Road. We were heading for the Craggs (with no apostrophe) so went the easiest way via Isel Bridge then right, right, left to reach Sunderland then onto the cafe arriving quite early. Maurice and Steve arrived then Paul joined us and John Murphy who had ridden out via Applethwaite. After a good lunch and a longing look at the lemon meringue pie in the chiller cabinet we left to drop down to the Castle Inn where we said goodbye to John Murphy. Then it was back to Cockermouth via Embleton. The weather was calm and not too cold for December.
Wednesday 4th December Royal Yew, Dean by Roy Jackson
On an overcast morning Roy, Tom, John R, Maggie and Stewart, Stewart Pike, and Maurice met at Brewers Fayre, Cockermouth.
Maurice had parked his car at the Royal Yew at Dean and rode to Brewers Fayre to ride out with the group.
The group started by riding over the hill to Paddle School, turned left then first right to Brandling Gill. Then on toward Mosser Mains with Maurice and Maggie and Stewart turning right to Pardshaw to avoid the steep hill on the way to Sossgill. The group met again at Mockerkin. After crossing the A5086 main road to Ullock the group stopped at the Royal Yew at Dean for lunch just as it started to rain. Paul and Sue arrived by car to join them for lunch
After lunch and a long chat the group returned to Brewers Fayre via Eaglefield and Paddle School and the A5086. 14miles
Sunday 1st December The Mill Inn, Mungrisdale by Roy Jackson
With the thermometer registering ooc in spite of the bright sunshine, Roy decided to go to the Mill Inn by car. On arrival about midday Tracy and Bacca were already there having parked the van at Scales and ridden their Tandem Trike via the gated road encountering several patches of ice along the way. Also present were T.A. Members Jim Lawley, and Brenda and George Jackson. After a good meal and a long chat, Tracy and Bacca left on three wheels, everyone else on four wheels.
On a very windy dull day meeting at the Brewers Fayre, Cockermouth for lunch were Tracy and Brian “Bacca” Moore, Ivan and Janet Morris, John and Sue M, Roy, Clive “Big” Tom, Maurice.
Maurice “Big” Tom and Clive gathered at Brewers Fayre, Cockermouth to start their ride. Maurice had sorted the route that would take them approximately 2 hours.
They started by going into Cockermouth and onto the Greenway to leave on the Strawberry How road and then passing the Hundith Hill Hotel entrance to reach the Lorton Valley road which put them going straight into the strong wind. With the strength of the wind this started Maurice's injured leg hurting so he decided he would turn back when they arrived at Low Lorton. Clive also decided to join him so the two of them retraced their route back to the Brewers Fayre. Tom carried on down the Lorton Valley to return after Scalehill Bridge by climbing up to the Thackthwaite road and passing through Thackthwaite and Low Lorton, Rogerscale, Brandlingill, Eaglefield Paddle School and onto Brewers Fayre for lunch with the others.
Brian “Bacca” had parked his van at Embleton and rode out as far as Bassenthwaite village before returning to his van to come to the Brewers Fayre. During his ride he saw a cyclist while crossing the Ouse Bridge being caught by a gust of wind and very nearly ending up in the river below.
Roy rode to the lunch stop by the back side of Bassenthwaite Lake, Scarness, Bassenthwaite Village, Castle Inn, Ouse Bridge, Embleton and on to Cockermouth to reach Brewers Fayre. Roy was the only one to ride back home. His return route was via Paddle School, Southwaite Mill, Hundith Hill, Embleton, Dubwath and onto the A66 to reach Braithwaite and home.
The rest of the group had arrived by car.
After a very good lunch and chat, with the exception of Roy, they all returned home by four wheels.
Sunday 22nd December Club Run Ennerdale Brewery Rowrah.
On a damp morning John M left Braithwaite heading for the Brewers Fayre for the club run. Taking the most direct route it was on through Thornthwaite to join the A66 to continue to the roundabout at Cockermouth. On arriving at the Brewers Fayre already sat in the warm surroundings were Stewart, Roy, Sue and Paul.
After a lengthy chat Sue and Paul left leaving Stewart, Roy and John to ride out to Rowrah, with Roy and John on their e-bikes, Stewart rode on the front setting the pace. Leaving the car park they turned left to Paddle School here they turned right to Eaglesfield as rain threatened. With darker clouds forming in the distance it was not long before the rain appeared as they climbed steadily towards Lamplugh Church.
Joining the A5086 for the third time they took a left turn to Kirkland with the rain having decided to settle in. Finally they arrived at the Ennerdale Brewery rather wet to find Tracy, Tom, Maurice, John R, Janet and Ivan followed later by Maggie.
Maurice had left his car outside Steve H's home in Whitehaven to meet “Big” Tom and John R at the Whitehaven Marina hub to ride up the Whitehaven to Rowrah cycleway to the Ennerdale brewery Restaurant. However Tom and Maurice had decided they would take in a track to gain some points for the Tour Comp and all three left the cycleway just before going under the A595 to ride through Bigrigg, taking a right turn to ride past Pallaflats and over the hill passing the TV Mast then taking a left turn up the track to reach Watson Hill and arrive out onto Egremont to St. Bees road. Just after the three had arrive at the end of the track it started to pour down with rain and did not stop until they reached their lunch stop. Riding down the hill towards St.Bees to take the first right and head back to Bigrigg and the A595. Soon glad to be off the main road and drop down to Woodend to reach Moor Row and the cycle way once more to ride up to the Ennerdale Brewery to meet up with the rest of the group and lunch.
After a good lunch and banter members started to make a move, Maurice, Tom and John R headed for the cycle way and rode back down to Whitehaven.
The rest apart from Roy and John made their way home by car including Stewart who had it organised to get a lift back with Maggie.
With Roy on the front and making the best of his electric assistance they soon reached Paddle School, having gone via Ullock, Dean and Eaglesfield in persistent rain.
Here they parted Roy going back to his car at the Brewers Fayre, while John continued on to Braithwaite via Hundith, Embleton and the A66, arriving back rather wet and cold.
Wednesday 18th December Brewer’s Fayre to Brewer’s Fayre by Dianne Moyes
A very icy start to the day meant that John and I walked to Brewer’s Fayre though were surprised to see Maggie and Stewart coming round the roundabout on their bikes having ridden from home. Maurice, Tom, Clive and Roy turned up prepared for the cold. Over coffee we decided to head out to Dubwath to the old station site to see the engine and three carriages that have appeared this week. Maurice headed off to walk the dogs while I headed home to get my bike now the frost had melted. I went on the main road and met up with the others as they dropped into Embleton. Roy was on his old bike and had had a bit of trouble with his gears. At the station site right opposite the entrance to Silver Meadows nature reserve, we met the owner who had bought the ruin of the booking office and the land first then bought the adjacent station master’s house. The train is the replica of the Orient Express which was used on the film set of Murder on the Orient Express starring Judi Dench, he is going to renovate the ruin and create a cafe and restaurant. One of the carriages will be for private hire. The train is standing at the excavated platform, on rails made originally in Workington, with ballast of Shap granite.
We made our way back the same way to find John and Sue had joined us for a very pleasant lunch.
Sunday 15th December Waverley Hotel, Whitehaven by Maurice Cowley
On a cold and frosty day with snow in the hedgerows 8 members met at The Waverley for lunch none had rode their bikes there due to the weather. They were, Maurice, Steve H, Tom, Roy and Ruth, Dianne and John, Dave Swift. “Big” Tom had got his bike out and rode about ½ a mile and turned around and put it away again.
After a good lunch and lively chat and feeling well fed all left they way they arrived either walking or in cars
Wednesday 11th December Craggs Bothel by Dianne Moyes
Meeting at Brewer’s Fayre near Cockermouth for coffee were John Moyes,me Dianne, Maurice, Steve, John Rowell, Roy, Stewart and Tom. Steve and Maurice had planned to go for a walk, and John Moyes and Stewart were not cycling so that left 4 to cycle via the Greenway and Beech Lane to Isel Road. We were heading for the Craggs (with no apostrophe) so went the easiest way via Isel Bridge then right, right, left to reach Sunderland then onto the cafe arriving quite early. Maurice and Steve arrived then Paul joined us and John Murphy who had ridden out via Applethwaite. After a good lunch and a longing look at the lemon meringue pie in the chiller cabinet we left to drop down to the Castle Inn where we said goodbye to John Murphy. Then it was back to Cockermouth via Embleton. The weather was calm and not too cold for December.
Wednesday 4th December Royal Yew, Dean by Roy Jackson
On an overcast morning Roy, Tom, John R, Maggie and Stewart, Stewart Pike, and Maurice met at Brewers Fayre, Cockermouth.
Maurice had parked his car at the Royal Yew at Dean and rode to Brewers Fayre to ride out with the group.
The group started by riding over the hill to Paddle School, turned left then first right to Brandling Gill. Then on toward Mosser Mains with Maurice and Maggie and Stewart turning right to Pardshaw to avoid the steep hill on the way to Sossgill. The group met again at Mockerkin. After crossing the A5086 main road to Ullock the group stopped at the Royal Yew at Dean for lunch just as it started to rain. Paul and Sue arrived by car to join them for lunch
After lunch and a long chat the group returned to Brewers Fayre via Eaglefield and Paddle School and the A5086. 14miles
Sunday 1st December The Mill Inn, Mungrisdale by Roy Jackson
With the thermometer registering ooc in spite of the bright sunshine, Roy decided to go to the Mill Inn by car. On arrival about midday Tracy and Bacca were already there having parked the van at Scales and ridden their Tandem Trike via the gated road encountering several patches of ice along the way. Also present were T.A. Members Jim Lawley, and Brenda and George Jackson. After a good meal and a long chat, Tracy and Bacca left on three wheels, everyone else on four wheels.