RSF ride to Pooley Bridge

Todays ride started at Shap, we left promptly at just after 10am.
We rode out of the village and heading west passed through
the hamlet of Keld. Once on the old waterworks road we headed
north and followed the private road round to Burnbanks.

We made the short detour to the Haweswater dam, before returning
to Burnbanks and continuing on the minor roads through Bampton.

Before Helton we  turned off to pass Wide Wath and take the bridleway
which gave us access to Moor Divock and Askham fell. The views opened
up once on the highpoint, Blencathra in particular very prominent.

At the high point we turned southwards and crossed to the stone circle
known as the Cockpit.

The bridleway continues and generally descends throughout its length
all the way to Howtown. The views on here of Ullswater and fells beyond
were superb.

From the end of the track we crossed the foot of Fusedale. The bridleway
opposite contours under Steel Knotts meeting tarmac next to the church
on the hause. We had our lunch here looking down onto the zig-zags
and Ullswater .

We made good progress on the quiet road on the east side of Ullswater .
A short bridleway brought us right to the bridge at Pooley Bridge.
Our objective had been reached!!

It was a warm climb back up onto Askam Fell, almost reaching where
 we'd been earlier . Before turning northwards skirting Heughscar Hill
and enjoying the descent over short cropped turf down to Askam.
We stopped at the PostOffice/Shop/Cafe for coffee and cake.

Following the Lowther valley we turned up into Whale and riding the
 byway through the parkland. From Whalemoor be dropped on what
appears to be a little used bridleway down to Knipe Moor. From here
it was minor roads back to Shap and the cars.