RSF ride to Helsington

Tracks in the frost  at White Moss

The meeting place for todays ride was the "Refreshment Rooms" on Carnforth railway station once again. I chose to ride to the start on the towpath of the Lancaster canal, I made good progress as the ground was frozen hard. However once coffee had been taken I found I had a puncture, not the best start. There was a good turnout today, ten folks, I think, it was a shame to keep them waiting whilst I changed the tube. Once underway we rode across the River Keer and through Warton, eventually taking the permitted bridleway round the cricket club, past Hyning Farm to arrive in Yealand Conyers. Through Yealand Redmayne, then a bridleway across the frost covered fields to White Moss. We were making good time, a little bit of road work, and a good bit of downhill off road along Dollywood Lane. The quiet village of Storth was passed through quickly and soon we were on the minor roads of Milnthorpe Marsh. Sadly we had no option but to use the A6 for a short distance, this provided the link to Levens. A short way north of the village we climbed the bridleway over open grassland on the bridleway to Helsington Church, stopping part way along for butties sat in the sun. Soon chilled off mind! We rode another bridleway and minor road which brought us down to the racetrack aka A591, this takes some crossing at this point, anyway more lanes to Natland and another bridleway via Larkrigg, then across the old suspension bridge over the River Kent. There were calls for another coffee/cake stop, with few options at this time of year, Low Sizergh Barn was visited. Very busy but quick service and not overly expensive was the verdict. Mindful of the short hours of daylight and some of the group having a fair distance to ride home, it was minor roads for the rest of the trip. Our route took us through my home village of Holme, I continued south to Cinderbarrow before saying my goodbyes and retracing my steps(wheels?) home. A great day in good company, my feet were pretty cold for much of the day mind!

The group enjoying the view from Helsington Church