25th February 2018 ride to Killington New Bridge (Page three)

The cake photo at the Churchmouse at Barbon.

A tree on the skyline near Whittingham

Whittingham view

A tree in a field at side of B 6254

Ride report by Simeon Orme A lot folk look at you strangely when mention fact that there about mile and half climbing through Halton and then along Kirkby Lonnsdale Road up to 143 metre contour mark at the junction with Park Lane and then mostly down hill to Kirkby Lonsdale which built between 40 to 90 metres contours marks above the River Lune, if you don't believe me going and check your Ordnance Survey maps for the area. I was quite please with my self, for taking just over a hour to do the ride from Halton to Kirkby Lonsdale, it is quite scenic route with good views of the hills of the Forest of Bowland and then mountains of the Yorkshire Dales has you get nearer to Kirkby Lonsdale, yes I know the B6254 can get busy with motor traffic from those folk who don't know the joys of Sunday cycling. Once I got to Kirkby Lonsdale, my choice for my coffee and cake morning break was The Cross Point Café, yes I know there four other cafés and tearooms to choose from in Kirkby Lonsdale, you can see list of them on the site's Cyclist's Café Guide to the Yorkshire Dales. After my brew stop, I made my way through Kirkby Lonsdale, then headed out of the town on the B6254 which as a lot less traffic on it once you get pass Kirkby Lonsdale. I stay on the B6254 until I got to Kearstwick, then the plan for the day was to follow the lanes up to Rigmaden Park and then cross the River Lune via Rigmaden Bridge then head towards Dentdale but this was not going to be, as Rigmaden Bridge looks like it was late casualty of that big storm we had two years ago and after talking to some locals in Rigmaden that Cumbia County Council only close the bridge on Friday before the weekend. So how long its going stay close, its up to Cumbia County Council which pleading poverty and they have not fix Middleton Hall Bridge on the other side of Lune Valley yet, so your guess is good as mind when this might happen. Anyway the next bridge crossing the River Lune was a few miles further up the valley, it was very well rewarding detour to make with a lot of snowdrops in full bloom at both sides of lane, has I headed up the valley. Once I crossed over the River Lune via Killington New Bridge, I followed delightful lane from Low Oaks to the A683. Once I got to the A683, it was point in every ride where think its time to head for home, so I followed the A683 for next mile or so down the Lune Valley, once I crossed over the River Rawthey via Middleton Bridge. I followed the bridleway up to Jordan Lane and stopping part way along for lunch stop. It was only short detour on Jordan Lane before I was back on the A683 which I followed through Middleton and then once cross over Middleton Hall Bridge, I followed the lanes for next few miles to Barbon where I stop for afternoon brew at the Churchmouse at Barbon. After the coffee and cake stop, it was another few miles on lanes to Casterton. Then it back on the A683 which I followed down to Devil's Bridge where I cross back over the River Lune, then another hour ride back down the Lune Valley back to Halton, getting home just after 4pm. You can click here to see photos of 4th March ride to Hawes Water or you can click here to download 42.2 mile cycle route or you can check out forthcoming events page. Also checkout the What’s New Page to see what’s new on the site and you can also sign up for site’s free weekly newsletter