19th19th January 2014 ride to Fox's Pulpit (Page three)

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2014 Photo Galleries

19th January 2014 ride to Fox's Pulpit (Page three)

- Page one - Page two - Ride report - Route -

Reflections on a wall.

Crossing the county boundaries on the ride home after the ride.

Tree on the skyline.

The view looking across the Lune Valley towards Tunstall

More trees on the skyline.

The ride report by Ian Wood The meeting point was at the Cariad Café, Kirkby Lonsdale where Nick and Eileen, Jeremy, Alistair, John and I all met up. But where was Simeon, our ride leader? After we had ordered tea, snacks etc. Simeon turned up having ridden from home. After food was scoffed, tea taken, and the requisite cake photo taken, we assembled for the off in market square. John had just nipped to the shop for some substance as he had left his rucksack and food at home. The group then headed off in the direction off Old Hutton along the B6254 before turning right to Mansergh. Everything, as one can imagine, was pretty wet, so Simeon asked if we’d like to stick to the tarmac. We voted for some rough stuff though. Chapel Lane track was taken towards Mansergh church, with mutterings from the back about how muddy it was and the fact that the farmer had just thoughtfully trimmed his hedges for us! The track was very glutinous with some of the group unable to get purchase with their tyres. Sure enough, someone got a puncture, this time John. After a quick change of tube we turned left to Old Town then right along the Old Scotch Road, heading north. After turning left onto the A684 we turned right to continue along the Old Scotch Road before turning right along a minor road towards our destination, Fox’s Pulpit. We had lunch in the relative shelter of the wall below the pulpit; the cloud even began to break at one point to reveal blue sky. This was short lived though. After eating and drinking from our flasks, some of us noticed that some of the group had disappeared, in particular our ride leader! He was to be found farther down the hill holding the gate open to access the bridleway to Stocks. This was muddy, wet and boggy but great fun. We all made it down in one piece with no disasters. The group then turned right down the B6257 to the A684 to Sedbergh where we turned right towards the M6 before turning left at the old Black Bull. We then carried on down the Lune valley on the B6257 for a short way before a right towards Killington. This was followed to cross the Lune at Rigmaden Bridge. The group then turned right on the main road to Kirkby Lonsdale. Some of the group turned left along a green lane to Betweengates Lane, while the ride leader and others chose the less muddy road option. The track had recently been used by trail bikes and was very clarty. I rode on ahead but then waited for John and Nick and Eileen to catch up. Eileen was having problems with mud jamming the wheel under her mudguard. We soldiered on though (the real RSF!) before we met the others back on the tarmac. High Road was then followed into Barbon for refreshments of tea and cakes. After chatting and eating Simeon and Jeremy set off, Simeon cycling back home and Jeremy back to the start. The rest of the group chose to do a little more off road as I said it wouldn’t be half as bad as the last track! We rode along Wandales Lane passing through High Casterton before turning right to follow the bridleway along Laitha Lane back to Devils Bridge. At this point Alistair said his goodbyes and cycled the tarmac back to the start. The track to Devils Bridge was equally as muddy as the last track and I’m sure I heard cursing behind me! A good turnout and a good ride, even though the tracks where exceedingly wet and muddy. You can click here to see photos of 25th January ride to Great Stone of Fourstones or you can click here to download the 26.7 mile route or you can 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.

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