1st October 2019 ride to the Claife Viewing Station and around Blelham Tarn (Page five)

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A view of Esthwaite Water

At end of Claife Community bridleway in Near Sawrey

The view looking up the valley towards Hawkhead

A leaf on Eel House Bridge

Late afternoon sunshine shining through on the climb up to Graythwaite

Sun light shining through the woods on the climb back to car at Chapel House Wood.

Ride report by Simeon Orme I was late getting too start ride, this was due to waiting for farmer moving cattle in Neither Kellet and then waiting near Beetham to pass through some road works, the joys of using the car to get a bit further away from home to start a ride. Yes if was worth the hassle putting the bike in the back of car and then taken out again when I got my destination for the start of the ride at the small car park at Chapel House Wood near Staveley-in-Cartmel. There were no other takers for the ride, when I look at the RSF website earlier in the morning, the site allows folk who interest in a ride to register there interest in the ride which is very useful feature for ride leaders knowing if anyone is going to come out on your ride. Any way the weather forecast for the day best of the week, so I was going to have good day’s in one of England biggest national parks. So once got the bike out of the car, I headed through Staveley-in-Cartmel and followed the lane down to A592 which only stay on for very section before turning on to cycle path which followed around to Newby Bridge. After crossing over River Leven via the bridge in Newby Bridge, I followed the lane towards Water Side House, after crossing over the Lakeside and Haverthwaite Railway I followed the bridleway through the woods of Wintering Park up to Finsthwaite House. I think only done this bridleway once before coming the opposite direction but its delightful track to follow, I had walk first part due to fact that did have low enough gears to ride climb out of the Leven Valley but once the bridleway had level out if fairly easy ride to end of the track. Once I was back on the tarmac again, I followed the road through Finsthwaite, after passing through the village the road was closed to motor traffic due to road works and was only open to foot and cycle traffic. After passing the Bobbin Mill near Low Stott Park, continue to the follow the tarmac for the next few miles up to Graythwaite Hall, then following the lane along shore of Lake Windermere, through hamlets of Low and High Cunsey before short climb up to B5285 which followed down towards The Ferry House, but before getting there I stop for late coffee and cake stop at the Cafe in the Courtyard. After my cafe stop, I took short walk up to the Claife Viewing Station to look at the views down Lake Windermere. In Victorian times it was one of in things do, when visiting the Lake District, the National Trust has done some work on the Viewing Station about three years ago, so everyone can enjoy the views. I was soon back on the bike and following the bridleway up the western side of Lake Windermere toward Low Wray. For week day in early October the bridleway was busy with a lot of walkers, so I make a lot use of the bell on my bike but there was a lot nice views all way up the bridleway. The crowds soon disappear when rode past exit for Wray Castle off the bridleway. Then was a bit of climbing to do before getting back on the tarmac at the church between Low and High Wray. After a short section on the tarmac, I decided to follow the bridleway around Blelham Tarn and quite surprise to find that there was signpost for cycle path to Hawkhead which decided to followed instead. I followed the cycle path around Blelham Tarn and stop for late lunch at western end of the tarn. After lunch continue along cycle path, there was a bit of climb to do get up to the barn at High Tock How but other quite easy riding to Loanthwaite where the cycle joins Loanthwaite Lane for short section then heading along Scar Head Lane, then on upgraded footpaths to Hawkhead (After doing the cycle path from Low Wray to Hawkhead, I think its a game changer for anyone planning cycle rides around this part of the national park). From Hawkhead, I followed the B5285 out of the village towards Near Sawrey, turn off and on to the tarmac to follow the three sections of new Claife Community Bridleway, the middle section is worth doing as its get on to shore of Esthwaite Water. Once in Near Sawrey, I followed the lanes down to Eel House Bridge, then short section on the main road from Hawkhead to Lakeside before following the bridleway through the woods to Low Cunsey Farm, then retracing my steps my following the lane up to Graythwaite Hall. From Graythwaite Hall it was fairly easy ride to Lakeside and on Newby Bridge where I caught up in traffic jam on the bridge, with cars waiting to get on to A590. After riding back along my morning route through Staveley-in-Cartmel, I was soon back at the car at Chapel House Wood. You can click here to see photos of 3rd October ride to Wray or you can click here to download the 26 mile 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.