Wednesday 26th February Ennerdale Brewery. by Roy Jackson
On a fine but cold morning Tom, Roy, Di and John, Janet, Ivan, Sue and Paul, and John Murphy, who had cycled from home, gathered for coffee at the Brewers Fayre.
The group rode to Paddle School, then on to Eaglesfield, Deanscales and Dean, meeting Maurice just before Ullock, having parked his car at the Brewery.
John M having rode to Ullock said goodbye to head back home via Mockerkin, Loweswater, Lorton and the A66.
It was then on to Dean Cross, turning left down the hill, meeting Brian near Asby.
Bacca was already at the Brewery, having ridden from home, and later they were joined by Johnny who had also ridden from home.
After an enjoyable get together and good lunch, the group returned via Kirkland, Lamplugh, Mockerkin, Pardshaw and Paddle School.
Finishing the ride first in a hail shower, this was followed by a snow storm, before getting back to the Brewers Fayre and Cockermouth.
Sunday 23rd February Waverley Hotel, Whitehaven by Steve Lunt
Must be quite a rarity – an all male meet up for Sunday lunch! Hardly surprising I suppose in the light of the present climate of floods, showers and sun and very strong winds – then more showers and very strong winds – not really cycling weather!
Meeting this day – Maurice, Steve H, John R, Tom, Dave Swift, Steve L and Roy allhaving travelled by car or on foot – well done John.
As usual the Waverley staff looked after us well: Steve L trying to resist the main menu and settling for a great thick veg/barley soup because of the prospect of a visit to the sports centre later for some rowing and leisure cycling on a fixed machine. Well he's given up on the outdoor cycling for this winter.
Roll on spring time – please!!
Wednesday 19th February Brewers Fayre
Again the weather was not looking good as eleven members made it to the Brewers Fayre hoping to get out for a ride.
They were Dianne, John, Anita, Brian, Maurice, Tom, Roy, John, John R, Sue and Paul.
With rain forecast for midday Maurice got the group moving just after ten o'clock with the view of getting back before the rain.
Leaving the car park the group turned left onto the A5086 to Paddle School where they turned left again to Brandlingill.
On reaching Aikbank Mill the rain that had been threatening started to fall, leaving some to put on over trousers.
The group having split regrouped by Pardshaw Hall, with the weather getting worse Dianne, Maurice and Roy decided to head back to the Brewers Fayre.
This left the young ones to carry on into the wind and rain to Pardshaw, instead of going to Mockerkin they made there way across the A5086 to Dean.
The only good thing was the following wind as they made there way back to the Brewers Fayre via Deanscales and Eaglesfield.
On arrival the found seated at the table Maurice, Dianne and Roy followed by John Moyes, Janet and Ivan along with Sue making good use of her bus pass again.
After good cheap meal and the usual chat members left the warm surroundings back into the rain albeit on four wheels apart from Dianne.
Sunday 16th February Wheatsheaf Inn, Abbeytown by Maurice Cowley
It finally happened, the weather was so bad that no-one ventured out. The westerly wind and rain was so bad combined with the height of the tide that the road to Silloth was closed at Dubmill Point and no doubt various other roads would be flooded that driving there could have been dangerous therefore even the venue was cancelled!!
Wednesday 12th February Brewers Fayre
After the stormy weather over the weekend members were hoping for better condition for their Wednesday ride.
Although it was dry it was still cold and windy as nine member turned out for the usual coffee and chat, they were Maurice, Stewart, Roy, Tom, Paul, Sue, Maggie and the two John M's.
Only two decided to go for a bike ride they were Tom and John, Maurice and Roy left together to walk the dog on the Brigham low road, leaving the rest talking.
Leaving the Brewers Fayre Tom and John made their way into Cockermouth to join the Greenway to Strawberry How where they joined the road again to Armaside.
Having negotiated the gravel strewn road caused by the weekend rain they joined the Lorton road to Hope Beck again more gravel.
It was then onto Scale Hill where they turned right after crossing the River Cocker to Thackthwaite and back to Lorton.
After a brief stop for John to get some feeling back in his hands it was onto Rodgerscale turning left after Sandy Beck to Brandlingill.
Having dodged the full force of the wind by following the sheltered lanes it was straight into a brick wall as they turned into the wind to Paddle School.
Back on the A5086 it was mostly downhill back to the Brewers Fayre for lunch, to find Maurice, Roy, John, Dianne, Janet and Ivan, Sue M joined them having used her bus pass to get there.
After a good lunch and chat all departed, hoping for better weather next time out.
Sunday 9th February Parkside Hotel, Frizington (Early Season “Do”). by Maurice Cowley
Due to the Gale “Ciara” all 8 members attending the early season “Do” at the Parkside Hotel arrived by car. They were Brian “Bacca” and Tracy, Maurice and Shirley, Dianne, Roy, “Big” Tom and Steve L. The attendance was down due to people either having to be elsewhere or because of the possibility of floods. While sitting eating the sun appeared making the company wish they could have cycled there. The company and chat was excellent and also the food.
Wednesday 5th February. Sandwith to Santon Bridge. By Dianne Moyes
Seven of us gathered at Anita’s in Sandwith for coffee and biscuits. Brian, John Rowell and Tom had ridden out from Whitehaven. Roy, Clive and me, Dianne had brought our bikes in cars . We left before 10.30 and were not to see Sandwith again until it was nearly dark. We dropped down the hill through Rottington and into St. Bees and then took the lovely up and down coast road to Nethertown onto Braystones then into Beckermet. Here we headed for the main road the A595. Unfortunately having just joined the road Tom had a puncture, Roy stayed with him to help and I went to tell the others to wait. We waited and waited and had a good natter with the traffic zooming by. A friend of Brian’s on a motorbike stopped to have a chat too. Eventually
It was all fixed and we did the horrible stretch through Calder Bridge and New Mill before turning off at the Boonwood Garden Centre to take a minor road into Gosforth which I learnt today has a point on it. Somebody then decided to take a little shortcut to the Santon Bridge Road but it involved mud and potholes. Collecting another point on the way to Santon Bridge we arrived at the Woodlands Cafe at about 1.00pm. The food was excellent and I can see why the cafe features in the Cumbria Life guide to the best 200 places to eat in Cumbria.
After lunch we headed to Holmrook and then through Drigg to Seascale where we lost a bit more time talking to Norman from Workington who could be a new recruit. Not sure about someone showing us his cardiac scars on first acquaintance. Then more points on the sandy path to Sellafield which Clive encountered for the first time. I hadn’t realised the end of the path had been washed away but having contacted Sustrans today about it, I was told the DfT is providing the money to fix it. It was knocking off time at Sellafield as we passed so even when we got to Beckermet traffic was still heavy. I think the climb out of Beckermet finally did for Clive, when we got to Egremont he had enough. Anita had a plan, she went with him to her sister’s nearby and they got a lift to Sandwith. So now we were 5. We continued on the Hadrian’s Route towards Whitehaven with people leaving the cycle path where it was most convenient for them, so first Brian disappeared then John Rowell. Tom guided Roy and me to the Mirehouse turn off. At the end of a ride who really wants to ride up that horrible hill. Tom and I made it over to the Kells Road first and waited for Roy and waited with non stop traffic going past. Just as I thought I should go and look for him he comes walking round the corner pushing his E bike. He had run out of charge, he thought he could do two rides on one charge so he hadn’t set off with it fully charged. He won’t do that again. Tom kindly rode to Sandwith to help me with my heavy bike and by then it was 4.50 pm and going dark. What a day, we did 37 miles but they were very hilly miles for the 5 without motors. It was a lovely day, the weather was calm and sunny at times and there were snowdrops everywhere.
Sunday February 2nd Ennerdale Brewery by Dianne Moyes
A few people decided to meet at my house (Dianne) to ride out together so Janet, Anita, Tom and Roy arrived for 10.30. The forecast was for some showers so we were prepared for rain. We went out to Paddle School then through Brandlingill, Aikbank Mill, Pardshaw to Mockerkin. We then started to get a bit wet and cold so it was on through Lamplugh before joining the main road to reach the cafe early. Bacca and Tracy were just arriving by car and Maurice was already there having arrived by car. Later Steve Lunt arrived by car. Clive had parked at Brewer’s Fayre and ridden out via Eaglesfield, Dean, Branthwaite, Ullock and then up onto Dean Moor before reaching Rowrah. Dave Swift was the last to arrive.
Anita decided she had had enough, she had cycled up to Black Sail with a friend the day before on her mountain bike, so Bacca and Tracy kindly gave her a lift back to Cockermouth. Clive joined us for the return journey to Cockermouth via Kirkland then onto the main road which tends to be fairly quiet on a Sunday, turning off to Ullock then Dean and Eaglesfield. We stayed dry all the way back and with a tail wind it was quite pleasant.
On a fine but cold morning Tom, Roy, Di and John, Janet, Ivan, Sue and Paul, and John Murphy, who had cycled from home, gathered for coffee at the Brewers Fayre.
The group rode to Paddle School, then on to Eaglesfield, Deanscales and Dean, meeting Maurice just before Ullock, having parked his car at the Brewery.
John M having rode to Ullock said goodbye to head back home via Mockerkin, Loweswater, Lorton and the A66.
It was then on to Dean Cross, turning left down the hill, meeting Brian near Asby.
Bacca was already at the Brewery, having ridden from home, and later they were joined by Johnny who had also ridden from home.
After an enjoyable get together and good lunch, the group returned via Kirkland, Lamplugh, Mockerkin, Pardshaw and Paddle School.
Finishing the ride first in a hail shower, this was followed by a snow storm, before getting back to the Brewers Fayre and Cockermouth.
Sunday 23rd February Waverley Hotel, Whitehaven by Steve Lunt
Must be quite a rarity – an all male meet up for Sunday lunch! Hardly surprising I suppose in the light of the present climate of floods, showers and sun and very strong winds – then more showers and very strong winds – not really cycling weather!
Meeting this day – Maurice, Steve H, John R, Tom, Dave Swift, Steve L and Roy allhaving travelled by car or on foot – well done John.
As usual the Waverley staff looked after us well: Steve L trying to resist the main menu and settling for a great thick veg/barley soup because of the prospect of a visit to the sports centre later for some rowing and leisure cycling on a fixed machine. Well he's given up on the outdoor cycling for this winter.
Roll on spring time – please!!
Wednesday 19th February Brewers Fayre
Again the weather was not looking good as eleven members made it to the Brewers Fayre hoping to get out for a ride.
They were Dianne, John, Anita, Brian, Maurice, Tom, Roy, John, John R, Sue and Paul.
With rain forecast for midday Maurice got the group moving just after ten o'clock with the view of getting back before the rain.
Leaving the car park the group turned left onto the A5086 to Paddle School where they turned left again to Brandlingill.
On reaching Aikbank Mill the rain that had been threatening started to fall, leaving some to put on over trousers.
The group having split regrouped by Pardshaw Hall, with the weather getting worse Dianne, Maurice and Roy decided to head back to the Brewers Fayre.
This left the young ones to carry on into the wind and rain to Pardshaw, instead of going to Mockerkin they made there way across the A5086 to Dean.
The only good thing was the following wind as they made there way back to the Brewers Fayre via Deanscales and Eaglesfield.
On arrival the found seated at the table Maurice, Dianne and Roy followed by John Moyes, Janet and Ivan along with Sue making good use of her bus pass again.
After good cheap meal and the usual chat members left the warm surroundings back into the rain albeit on four wheels apart from Dianne.
Sunday 16th February Wheatsheaf Inn, Abbeytown by Maurice Cowley
It finally happened, the weather was so bad that no-one ventured out. The westerly wind and rain was so bad combined with the height of the tide that the road to Silloth was closed at Dubmill Point and no doubt various other roads would be flooded that driving there could have been dangerous therefore even the venue was cancelled!!
Wednesday 12th February Brewers Fayre
After the stormy weather over the weekend members were hoping for better condition for their Wednesday ride.
Although it was dry it was still cold and windy as nine member turned out for the usual coffee and chat, they were Maurice, Stewart, Roy, Tom, Paul, Sue, Maggie and the two John M's.
Only two decided to go for a bike ride they were Tom and John, Maurice and Roy left together to walk the dog on the Brigham low road, leaving the rest talking.
Leaving the Brewers Fayre Tom and John made their way into Cockermouth to join the Greenway to Strawberry How where they joined the road again to Armaside.
Having negotiated the gravel strewn road caused by the weekend rain they joined the Lorton road to Hope Beck again more gravel.
It was then onto Scale Hill where they turned right after crossing the River Cocker to Thackthwaite and back to Lorton.
After a brief stop for John to get some feeling back in his hands it was onto Rodgerscale turning left after Sandy Beck to Brandlingill.
Having dodged the full force of the wind by following the sheltered lanes it was straight into a brick wall as they turned into the wind to Paddle School.
Back on the A5086 it was mostly downhill back to the Brewers Fayre for lunch, to find Maurice, Roy, John, Dianne, Janet and Ivan, Sue M joined them having used her bus pass to get there.
After a good lunch and chat all departed, hoping for better weather next time out.
Sunday 9th February Parkside Hotel, Frizington (Early Season “Do”). by Maurice Cowley
Due to the Gale “Ciara” all 8 members attending the early season “Do” at the Parkside Hotel arrived by car. They were Brian “Bacca” and Tracy, Maurice and Shirley, Dianne, Roy, “Big” Tom and Steve L. The attendance was down due to people either having to be elsewhere or because of the possibility of floods. While sitting eating the sun appeared making the company wish they could have cycled there. The company and chat was excellent and also the food.
Wednesday 5th February. Sandwith to Santon Bridge. By Dianne Moyes
Seven of us gathered at Anita’s in Sandwith for coffee and biscuits. Brian, John Rowell and Tom had ridden out from Whitehaven. Roy, Clive and me, Dianne had brought our bikes in cars . We left before 10.30 and were not to see Sandwith again until it was nearly dark. We dropped down the hill through Rottington and into St. Bees and then took the lovely up and down coast road to Nethertown onto Braystones then into Beckermet. Here we headed for the main road the A595. Unfortunately having just joined the road Tom had a puncture, Roy stayed with him to help and I went to tell the others to wait. We waited and waited and had a good natter with the traffic zooming by. A friend of Brian’s on a motorbike stopped to have a chat too. Eventually
It was all fixed and we did the horrible stretch through Calder Bridge and New Mill before turning off at the Boonwood Garden Centre to take a minor road into Gosforth which I learnt today has a point on it. Somebody then decided to take a little shortcut to the Santon Bridge Road but it involved mud and potholes. Collecting another point on the way to Santon Bridge we arrived at the Woodlands Cafe at about 1.00pm. The food was excellent and I can see why the cafe features in the Cumbria Life guide to the best 200 places to eat in Cumbria.
After lunch we headed to Holmrook and then through Drigg to Seascale where we lost a bit more time talking to Norman from Workington who could be a new recruit. Not sure about someone showing us his cardiac scars on first acquaintance. Then more points on the sandy path to Sellafield which Clive encountered for the first time. I hadn’t realised the end of the path had been washed away but having contacted Sustrans today about it, I was told the DfT is providing the money to fix it. It was knocking off time at Sellafield as we passed so even when we got to Beckermet traffic was still heavy. I think the climb out of Beckermet finally did for Clive, when we got to Egremont he had enough. Anita had a plan, she went with him to her sister’s nearby and they got a lift to Sandwith. So now we were 5. We continued on the Hadrian’s Route towards Whitehaven with people leaving the cycle path where it was most convenient for them, so first Brian disappeared then John Rowell. Tom guided Roy and me to the Mirehouse turn off. At the end of a ride who really wants to ride up that horrible hill. Tom and I made it over to the Kells Road first and waited for Roy and waited with non stop traffic going past. Just as I thought I should go and look for him he comes walking round the corner pushing his E bike. He had run out of charge, he thought he could do two rides on one charge so he hadn’t set off with it fully charged. He won’t do that again. Tom kindly rode to Sandwith to help me with my heavy bike and by then it was 4.50 pm and going dark. What a day, we did 37 miles but they were very hilly miles for the 5 without motors. It was a lovely day, the weather was calm and sunny at times and there were snowdrops everywhere.
Sunday February 2nd Ennerdale Brewery by Dianne Moyes
A few people decided to meet at my house (Dianne) to ride out together so Janet, Anita, Tom and Roy arrived for 10.30. The forecast was for some showers so we were prepared for rain. We went out to Paddle School then through Brandlingill, Aikbank Mill, Pardshaw to Mockerkin. We then started to get a bit wet and cold so it was on through Lamplugh before joining the main road to reach the cafe early. Bacca and Tracy were just arriving by car and Maurice was already there having arrived by car. Later Steve Lunt arrived by car. Clive had parked at Brewer’s Fayre and ridden out via Eaglesfield, Dean, Branthwaite, Ullock and then up onto Dean Moor before reaching Rowrah. Dave Swift was the last to arrive.
Anita decided she had had enough, she had cycled up to Black Sail with a friend the day before on her mountain bike, so Bacca and Tracy kindly gave her a lift back to Cockermouth. Clive joined us for the return journey to Cockermouth via Kirkland then onto the main road which tends to be fairly quiet on a Sunday, turning off to Ullock then Dean and Eaglesfield. We stayed dry all the way back and with a tail wind it was quite pleasant.