Ride Out Write Ups for 2022

MIKE GIBSON's MIDWEEK RUN  - SEPTEMBER

Well, I must admit it caused a bit of confusion when I turned up at Devil’s Bridge in my ‘summer riding kit’ – short-sleeve shirt, shorts and sandals! To explain, the bike’s petrol tank developed a leak (don’t ask) and was unrideable, so I led the run in the car. Ged kindly volunteered to act as ‘leader’ for the drop-off system by riding behind me and directing traffic. So, with 12 bikes behind off we went up the A683 through Sedbergh to our coffee break at the Fat Lamb Inn. Carrying onwards through Kirkby Stephen to Brough, we then picked up the B6226 over into Teesdale and the lunch stop at the High Force hotel on the Alston road. Here, thanks to pre-booking, we had exclusive use of the dining room. Once fed, the Alston road took us to, yes, Alston where a brief stop was made for a quick re-fuel for one of one number. Then the Hartside road was taken up the pass, past the site of the renowned Hartside cafe , and down to Penrith. From here the A6 now let the bikes (and the car) breathe a little bit as far as Garth Row. Shortly after the hamlet, our usual ‘bypass’ of Kendal led to the A591 and the return to Kirkby Lonsdale. Hopefully no-one was inconvenienced by the unusual format and will be there next month when I should have the bike back on the road. A mention should be made of three new faces on the run – George and Pauline (two-up) and Chris. I trust we will see you on future rides, and you haven’t been put off by the presence of the car.

MIKE GIBSON's MIDWEEK RUN - AUGUST

A cloudy, but dry, morning saw the assembled riders leave Devil’s Bridge to head down the A683 as far as Caton. Here, the main road was forsaken in favour of the Lancaster road, and then to Quernmore (or ‘Quimmer’, as I was once told it was pronounced). 

Turning left there we rode over into the Trough of Bowland and then descended on Dunsop Bridge (allegedly the centre of the UK – there’s a little sign to ‘prove’ it) for our coffee break at Puddleducks tearoom. (Although we were sat outside in sporadic sunshine.) 

Next on our line of travel were Newton and Slaidburn. Soon after the latter, a right turn on to minor lanes took us to Holden and a close approach to Bolton-by-Bowland – we turned left onto the minor road to Wigglesworth before the village. At Wigglesworth another left turn put us on the way through Rathmell and towards our lunch stop at the Craven Arms Inn, Giggleswick. 

Here, due to forward planning, and the requirement to pre-book food, we were all seated at a large table in the dining room and plates heaped with food were quickly served. Duly fed, our onward route took us through the village and, briefly, into Settle where we picked up the B5479 Ribblesdale road to Ribblehead. 

Now, turning right, the B6255 (nice road) led us to Hawes and the A684 (another nice road) for Garsdale and the pleasant valley to Sedbergh. The final stretch back to Kirkby Lonsdale was taken in fine style, despite the presence of Campervanman halfway along. Upon our return, it was noticed that our number had fallen to half of those that set off in the morning. Now that’s what I call a drop-off system! (Not quite a total loss system, but I’m getting there.) Alright, several riders broke off the run at convenient points for their return home. I didn’t actually lose them!

 MIKE GIBSON's MIDWEEK RUN - JULY

A jolly congregation of 13 bikes left Devil’s Bridge, heading to Sedbergh. The town successfully negotiated, we managed to make ‘staggered’ progress along the road for Kirkby Stephen. I say ‘staggered’ because there were a couple of speed restrictions in place, one of which accompneied by roadworks. 

Nevertheless, we duly arrived safely at the Fat Lamb Inn for our coffee/tea/hot chocolate break. After much discussion on topics of the day (eg who was taking what medication, and the intricacies of new car ownership) we continued through the village of Ravenstonedale to join the A685 and the course of the old railway line to the junction with the B6261. This led us to Orton and the climb up on to Great Asby scar. Past the northern end of the scar the route took on a new direction – new and different country roads through the villages of Maulds Meaburn, Morland and Cliburn to end up near Temple Sowerby.

Now picking up the B-road through Culgaith we arrived at Langwathby and the Shepherds Inn for lunch. Here, we had been assigned a separate room and tables, which worked well for both us and the staff serving. Following a generous meal we rode southwards to Penrith, and the A6 over Shap Fell to allow the bikes to ‘breathe’. 

Our usual diversion around Kendal was open this time, so we took it to find the A591 and the Kendal bypass southwards. Leaving the A591/590 at Brettargh Holt roundabout we continued on the A6 to the M6 at Carnforth. The motorway was traversed to then pick up the A683 back to Kirkby Lonsdale. A round trip of 115 miles (according to the bike’s odometer, which I prefer – it does make the runs seem like a greater distance. Very satisfying – it makes you feel that you’ve achieved something!).

  MIKE GIBSON's MIDWEEK RUN - JUNE   

It was a day that would see sunny interval as 16 bikes left Devil’s Bridge to head eastwards along the A65. At Settle, we turned off the main road into the town to find the moor road over to Airton village and our coffee break at the Town End Farm tearoom. After half filling the cafe we continued along lanes to Hetton and the road to Cracoe. Carrying on along the B6265 and B6160, we made our way up and over into (I think) Bishopdale to then enter Wensleydale at Aysgarth. Now following the valley road westwards we arrived at our lunch stop at the Rose and Crown hotel, Bainbridge. Eventually after a prolonged (read, long wait for our food) lunch the route was modified to reflect the delay. Plan B saw us heading across the dale to pick up the minor road on the northern side of the river Ure then turning westward to ride into Hawes. From there, the Ingleton road beckoned (how could we refuse?) as the sun broke through the overcast. Ahh good road, little traffic. What’s not to like? Arriving in Ingleton we joined the A65 back to Kirkby Lonsdale. This is where the only (?) hiccup of the day occurred – a traveller caravan at the head of a long convoy. Well, it was the buildup to Appleby horse fair. Anyway, some judicious filtering soon saw us back at the start. My thanks to everyone who turned up, and I’ll see you all next month.

MIKE GIBSON's MIDWEEK RUN - MAY 

Not a promising start to the day – persistent light rain, clouds obscuring the hills. Eugh! It didn’t deter another 8 hardy souls from joining me to head eastwards to Ingleton. Here we took a left onto the road to Hawes and more or less immediately found ourselves in the low cloud. Fortunately, the road wasn’t too wet so some progress could be made. Approaching Hawes the cloud lifted as we arrived at the Wensleydale Creamery for our coffee (and toasted teacake, Wensleydale cheese with teabread, etc) break.

Returning to the bikes we passed a group of, presumably, traffic police persons on their way to the cafe. Glad we didn’t meet them on the road! Now heading westwards, the road led us to Garsdale Head and the drop down towards Sedbergh. Entering the town, we immediately turned right onto the road for Kirkby Stephen. Soon (!) after, our lunch stop at the Fat Lamb Inn hove into view. A table had been reserved for us, and lunch was soon being devoured, the fish and chips meriting praise from some of our number. 

Duly replete, we continued through the villages of Ravenstonedale and Orton to pick up the A6 over Shap Fell. Leaving the main road just before Kendal onto minor roads we climbed up to the A685 and the lane that would avoid Kendal itself. This is where it went pear-shaped – the appearance of a, these days, dreaded ‘Road closed’ sign. Damn! Plan ‘B’ saw us having a brief taste of Kendal traffic before following the A684 and rejoining the planned route. This took us on the country road from Kendal to Kirkby Lonsdale, and Devil’s Bridge. Oh, and the sun broke through as we progressed down the A6 and lasted on and off for most of the ride back.

(The bikes would still need to be washed before everyone’s next ride, though!)

Mike Gibson's Midweek Run - April

Once again, an unpromising weather forecast, but it was warmer than last month. 9 bikes congregated at Devil’s Bridge, one of which was only on a flying visit (he had a loan bike and was due to collect his own at midday). So the other 8 set off into the Lakes, turning off the A591 at the hamlet of Ings onto a country road, to avoid Windermere, and then joined the Kirkstone pass road.

Riding through Troutbeck village, a partial road sign read ‘On northern side of summit’ – oh dear, is the road closed? As it turned out, no, fortunately! Dropping down the aforesaid northern side, we carried on to our coffee break at Glenridding. Therein lies a story, but we’ll not go into that…. 

Duly watered, the road along Ullswater led us to, and through, Pooley Bridge on the way to meet the A6. Here, we turned left towards Penrith and onwards along the Alston road to Langwathby and the Shepherds Inn for lunch. Now, it may have been the food, but upon mounting my bike afterwards I managed to topple off (once more, it has happened in the past). The bike was okay, the only damage was to my dignity!! 

Ahem, carrying on, we took the Culgaith road and in the village the railway level crossing held us up for a while as a logging train sped past. Next on the route was Temple Sowerby, closely followed by Kirkby Thore and the A66. This took us past the army ranges and the turn off for Warcop, from where the country road led to Kirkby Stephen. Sedbergh was our next destination, down one of the more scenic, and rideable, roads of the day. The last stretch from Sedbergh was taken in similar style back to Devil’s Bridge.

The round trip was just shy of 100 miles, the weather mixed with equal amounts of cloud, rain and sunshine, in that order. Here’s looking forward to the next run, in what will be the last month of Spring, and some warmer, dryer conditions!

MIKE GIBSON'S MIDWEEK RUN FOR MARCH

‘Twas a cold and damp start to the day. I could tell that it was cold by the white stuff on the hilltops, especially Ingleborough. 

Nevertheless there were another 5 hardy souls that turned up at Devil’s Bridge, including new member of a fortnight Steve Howarth. After a round of introductions, we decided to use the drop off system to let Steve get used to how it operated in practice (he was a newcomer to the system). 

We left the Bridge and turned down the road towards Carnforth, as far as Over Kellet where we cut across the M6 to join the A6. Soon afterwards the A6070 through Burton-in-Kendal led us to Crooklands and our coffee stop at the Hotel of the same name. 

Duly warmed and refreshed, we continued on the road towards Milnthorpe for a short distance before picking up the lane to Heversham village. Here, we joined the A6 followed by the A590 which took us to Greenodd. Now we turned off along the road to Coniston, through the village and on to our lunch stop at the Skelwith Bridge Hotel.

Having refuelled, we carried on towards Ambleside, turning off on the Hawkshead road and continuing southwards to Newby Bridge. Here, we picked up the country road over Gummers Howe to find the Lyth valley road. Now the bikes could breathe a bit more freely as far as the A590 at Gilpin Bridge. Following the dual carriageway eastwards, we ended the run just short of the M6, allowing everyone to make their way home before the rush hour.  

Despite the unpromising start, everyone seemed to enjoy the first run of 2022. We even had a (brief) glimpse of the sun – we could see shadows on the road surface, so it wasn’t our imagination! Hopefully the next ride in April will be kinder in terms of the conditions. And Steve has sorted the leak and will be able to join us again.