7th July 2007 ride to Mosedale Cottage
Click the photo to see a larger image of the photo
The ride report by Barrie Usherwood
Most of us met at Kendal Leisure Centre and proceeded by the old railway route to Morrisons cafe north of Kendal.
Two further members met us here.Took the usual route out past the industrial site and across Sprint Bridge and onwards to Garnet Bridge.From there straight up Longsledale to Sadgill. At Sadgill a late starter suprisingly sprinted up behind us and joined the group swelling our ranks even further. We started now on the difficult track up the dale which was very wet due the recent bad weather. The steep and slippery surface gets no easier however many times it is attempted and the large pebbles challenge both mind and body. Once the track flattens out we have lunch out of the wind at the sheepfold gates. Refreshed we head north east along the bridleway (which is very boggy in this section - no, actually, the whole area is a lake at the moment!). The decent down to Mosedale Cottage is quite fast and punctuated with a number of falls as front wheels sink axle deep into the sludge at every other stream crossing. At the Cottage we saw it was in occupation by Mountain Bothy guys and visited for a chat. Continuing on down the valley, we cross Mosedale Beck and I for one don't get any wetter than I already am by choosing to use the ford rather than the excellent bridge at this point. A tough slog up over Scam Matthew opens out to fine views across the Shap Fells and gives us a first glimpse of the Quarry Works which we will be later passing through. A much easier ride down the valley from this point and with the sun out in full force we dry out quickly.
On leaving the bridleway it is a short ride by minor road to the A6 just south of Shap village. We ride south and use the bridleway through the quarry factory grounds. This track leads us back to the A6 which we join again for only a few hundred yards before picking up on the old road across Wasdale Old Bridge and over Packhorse Hill. The track is very rough having had its 'infill' washed out by the engorged streams flowing across it this year. Simeon has had a rear axle snap and chose to use the A6 route bypassing this section so we meet up back at the summit on the A6. Our younger member was not surprisingly suffering at this point so a few of us tucked together to defeat the headwind for a freewheel back to Kendal. It had been a long and difficult ride but rewarded all the effort expended.
You can click here to see photos of 15th July tour of Forest of Bowland
Two further members met us here.Took the usual route out past the industrial site and across Sprint Bridge and onwards to Garnet Bridge.From there straight up Longsledale to Sadgill. At Sadgill a late starter suprisingly sprinted up behind us and joined the group swelling our ranks even further. We started now on the difficult track up the dale which was very wet due the recent bad weather. The steep and slippery surface gets no easier however many times it is attempted and the large pebbles challenge both mind and body. Once the track flattens out we have lunch out of the wind at the sheepfold gates. Refreshed we head north east along the bridleway (which is very boggy in this section - no, actually, the whole area is a lake at the moment!). The decent down to Mosedale Cottage is quite fast and punctuated with a number of falls as front wheels sink axle deep into the sludge at every other stream crossing. At the Cottage we saw it was in occupation by Mountain Bothy guys and visited for a chat. Continuing on down the valley, we cross Mosedale Beck and I for one don't get any wetter than I already am by choosing to use the ford rather than the excellent bridge at this point. A tough slog up over Scam Matthew opens out to fine views across the Shap Fells and gives us a first glimpse of the Quarry Works which we will be later passing through. A much easier ride down the valley from this point and with the sun out in full force we dry out quickly.
On leaving the bridleway it is a short ride by minor road to the A6 just south of Shap village. We ride south and use the bridleway through the quarry factory grounds. This track leads us back to the A6 which we join again for only a few hundred yards before picking up on the old road across Wasdale Old Bridge and over Packhorse Hill. The track is very rough having had its 'infill' washed out by the engorged streams flowing across it this year. Simeon has had a rear axle snap and chose to use the A6 route bypassing this section so we meet up back at the summit on the A6. Our younger member was not surprisingly suffering at this point so a few of us tucked together to defeat the headwind for a freewheel back to Kendal. It had been a long and difficult ride but rewarded all the effort expended.
You can click here to see photos of 15th July tour of Forest of Bowland
'Where's the Brew Stop? The off-road cycle touring website'.
About off- road cycle touring routes, cyclist’s cafes, off-road cycle touring, local group events and good photos.
For cyclists who love off-road leisure cycling in Northern England
About off- road cycle touring routes, cyclist’s cafes, off-road cycle touring, local group events and good photos.
For cyclists who love off-road leisure cycling in Northern England
We use cookies to ensure that we give you best possible experience on our website. By continuing to use the website we assume that you agree to our use of cookies and you read our site privacy policy at this link.