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Les foreground with Ian and Brian in the distance (Peter's holding the camera)

Only four riders turned up for this 73 mile ride, which was a pity because it was a superb route in fine sunny weather. The riders – Brian Statham, Ian Carr, Peter Sutcliffe and Les Reay – started in the village of Hallbankgate and more or less followed the route of last September’s ride. As all the riders had remembered their cycle shoes (in-joke for Dave), we were able to set off at 9.30 as planned. Peter set a fast pace and we fairly flew through the villages of Talkin, Castle Carrock, Croglin, Renwick, Melmerby (not even glancing at the tea room there!), Skirwith, Blencarn, Milburn and Knock before turning off to Appleby and shortening the planned route by missing out the section through Dufton. With a very light south-west wind, progress remained brisk and despite the hills, we managed the 33-mile outward leg averaging 14.3 mph. Amazingly, all riders ordered the full English breakfast in the Eden River Cafe, good value at £4.95. No nonsense with beans on toast and envious glances at the ‘belly buster’ on the next plate! On the return leg, we again followed last year’s route, climbing up towards Colby and then through the hamlet of Bolton. Further north, we bottled out of the short section of A66, instead going under it and then heading north and through Langwathby, Little Salkeld, Lazonby, Armathwaite and into Castle Carrock where we stopped for a break. As there was no tea room, we reluctantly decided to stop in the Duke of Cumberland public house for a beer or two … but still managed to find our way back to Hallbankgate. The return leg from Appleby was 40 miles and the climbs reduced the average speed but we still managed 14 mph on this stretch. The warm weather made the climbs more of a challenge and I reckon we did about 4000 feet of ascending and descending, with a maximum climb up to nearly 1100 feet. With perfect views of the Lake District fells to the west and the Pennine Hills to the east, this was a spectacular ride in fine weather along mainly pleasant, almost traffic-free lanes. The narrow, winding lanes with their hedge rows added to the feeling of flying along at speed and the well-surfaced roads were a pleasure to cycle on. A great ride!

Les Reay

Posted in Road.