Yesterday, January 25th, mcshroom and I got up at 6am and made our way to Halton for a touring ride with Simeon Orme. This involved a cafe stop at the Brief Encounter cafe at Carnforth station, (it isn't called that, it's where they made the film). I loved that, there's a museum and everything, and the scones and tea were gorgeous. It's had an award for giving good service to cyclists, and they couldn't have been more helpful.
It was pretty wet. It didn't matter, we did a bit of COR on some squirmy grass paths beside the Lancaster Canal, and we rode along a beautiful road which Bonnie Prince Charlie took on his journey, apparently. The later cake stop was at Catch 23 Cafe, which is built near a Roman harbour. And we stopped for lunch in a hide at the Leighton Moss RSPB reserve to watch the birds. What a grand day I had. Simeon knows so much about his turf and was full of interesting stories, thanks for leading your rides Simeon.
Then, today, mcshroom and I had a huge brunch then went to Ennerdale and played on our mountain bikes again on the tracks round the lake. We missed the rain, and the soft silver light of a northern January made the views so beautiful. There's a lot of colour in winter woods.
[/url]
20150126_142913 by
ruthturner3, on Flickr][/img]
It's been windy lately, and our way was blocked by trees a few times. Hardened intrepid souls that we are, we undauntedly (is that a word? It is now) went round, hauling our bikes up the fellside and through the bogs.
20150126_145919 by
ruthturner3, on Flickr
There were bridges galore, and waterfally things, and lots of wildlife and plant species. A couple of grand gravelly descents, and it was good fun splashing through the big wet potholes on the track.
20150126_140007 by
ruthturner3, on Flickr
Snow on the tops still.
Thanks for a lovely weekend mcshroom
More crap 'phone photos here.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/106826773@N02/sets/72157650430713786/