Day Ride to the Crake Valley

A beautiful sunny day today, ideal for my plan to ride over to the Crake Valley. I rode a rather roundabout route via Grange-over-Sands Cark and Greenodd, taking advantage of the Sustrans track across the Roudsea marsh. I then cycled up the Crake valley on B roads, eventually reaching the bottom of Coniston Water at Nibthwaite. The road on the east side of the lake undulates through the trees, there was some welcome shade. I had my butties looking across at the Coniston Fells, the hills were looking at their very best today. After lunch more undulations, followed by the steep climb over Hawkshead Hill, I was rewarded by the splendid downhill down into Hawkshead. I didnt stop, there were lots of folk, only to be expected really. y way onward was beside Esthwaite Water, then through Graythwaite estate to Newby Bridge. I then rode back via Newton and Lindale to cross the marshes at Meathop. The sun shone all day made a pleasent change from the rather "mixed" weather.