27th May 2023 ride to Borrowdale near Shap (Page four)

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Copyright 2004 to 2023 D. Simeon Orme

The view at end of the track, look back across Borrowdale towards the Breasthigh Road.

Copyright 2004 to 2023 D. Simeon Orme

A view of the River Kent in Kendal

Click here to see next photo in the May 2023 photo a day photo gallery

Ride report by Simeon Orme The ride for me was around 64 miles long, it was longest ride that I done in mileage this year, the day started with the usual climb out of the Lune Valley, then followed the lanes over to Over Kellet, then short section on Capernwray Road before turning on to Kellet Lane which followed into Tewitfield. From Tewitfield it case of bashing up the A6070 for next several miles through Burton-in-Kendal and on to Moss End, where turn on to Moss End Lane which followed around to Wath Sutton for stop at Farleton View Tea Rooms. After the refueling stop, I back track a little bit before heading along Millness Lane through Millness to A65 which I cross over and then followed the lane from School Houses through Preston Patrick, then on through Gatebeck where the climbing started has I headed through Homlescales, then up to Hutton Gate which is about 505 feet above sea level. There was a bit more climbing to do before crossing over the M6 and then following the lanes around to the Old Scotch Road which I was going stay on for next few miles, has pedal along it pass Killington Reservoir (Which you may surprise to learn its own by Canal and River Trust) and on to Lowgill. In Lowgill, I follow the lane down to the Crook of Lune Bridge which is lovely pack horse bridge which you could just about fit a small car through. I surprise myself on the climb up to Howgill Lane by riding up all of it! I was ask by couple, at top of the climb was I local and what best way get to Sedbergh, I pointed them in direction of the Howgill Fells, told them not rely on Mr Google which they using for navigation and not swear at me later on when climb up one best ridge walk in England. I was soon pedaling along Howgill Lane which soon turn into the Fairmile Road and don’t been fool by photo of the road that I took, for being one of the remote places in the Lune Valley its one of the noisiest places in the Lune Valley with constant roar of the motor traffic going along M6 and rail traffic going along west coast line every few minutes on the opposite side valley from Fairmile Road. I stay on the Fairmile Road for next few miles, after passing through Low Borrowbridge, then under the M6 and then across the A685 before entering the lane into Borrowdale, there about dozen cars park at side lane before gate with parking beyond this point, it is still a dale us locals know about and where go on Bank holiday weekend when you see queue of cars on the M6 waiting turn on the A590 to get one of honey pots of Lake District National Park. Allow your self around two hours do this route from the Lune Valley to the A6, you can ride most of the track up to Low Borrowdale depending what bike you on, I saw about six folk on this section of ride but it was Bank Holiday weekend at other times you may see nobody. The bridleway from Low Borrowdale to High Borrowdale I just push by bike along if you on mountain bike or gravel bike you ride most of it, accept small section washout by stream and small tree blown down across the bridleway which you have go around it otherwise enjoy the scenery, you think are in small Scottish glen and not English dale. High Borrowdale Farm is not inhabitant like Low Borrowdale Farm which own by Leven Hall Estates where High Borrowdale is own by Friends of the Lakes District. The main reason for doing this ride at this of year is to look at two hay meadows that Friends of the Lakes District have develop over last few years there was Yellow Rattle, Eyebright and other common hay meadow flowers flowering in the meadow. I did stop here have some late lunch and enjoy some photography. Again from High Borrowdale to the A6 you can ride most of bridleway, I got off in a few places because I was on 35mm tyres, I got end of the bridleway around 4pm and had around another 30 miles to do so decided to stay on the A6 and head down to Kendal, then followed my normal route home with eat up stop on the Hincaster Trailway, getting back to Halton just before 8pm.