Club Lunch - Saturday 13th January Roundthorn House Hotel Penrith

Thanks for all the positive comments - We seemed to enjoy the venue and certainly it was nice to see old friends. A venue we must return to?

Geoff - Secretary  07711842885

2 bike ride Sunday 26 November leaving Greystoke at 10 am

My plan is to thread our way through the lanes from Greystoke touching Blencow, Skelton, Lamonby and heading north to pick up the road skirting the National Park boundary to head south again for coffee/brunch. After that, we follow the cycle track west alongside the A66 to the turning to Mungrisdale with the intention of weaving a route back which dissects but does not repeat our outward route. According to Google Maps it is about 31.4 miles. 

It is likely to be cold and I will cancel if I think there is a risk of ice. Most of you know that I am not a fast rider so please make sure you bring extra layers to keep warm - don't rely on the exercise because you will not be working as hard as I will be!

If interested, please let me know on 07500 564922.

I'm looking forward to exploring the area west of Penrith,

Alison

3 Bike Ride 09.30 Sunday 26th from Dalston

50 mile 3 bike ride starting from Dalston at 09.30 on Sunday. Going to Base Camp, Cocklakes for 'brunch' (23 mile). Route is via Southwaite, Calthwaite & Greystoke. Returning by Mungrisedale, Caldbeck & Westward. Route, map & GPX file >> HERE <<

Weather forecast, as of now, is for sunny intervals with light winds, cold but no rain. One stop only so byo supplies if you think you might need more sustenance.

Text or WhatsApp  07855534727

Cheers, John H 

Wednesday 22 November: Morning ride to Morland

Leave Askham at 10.00 (car park by swimming pool). Route via Cockle Hill, pass near Carhullan (setting for Sarah Hall's dystopian novel - The Carhullan Army), via Bampton, Shap and Sleagill. If you're not sure where the first bit goes the route is HERE.

After Morland we could discuss an extension as the direct route back would only give 23 miles.

If you'd like to join us please text or WhatsApp  07906896503.

2 bike ride to coffee at UpFront

 I will be leaving Langwathby Green at 10 am to travel via Salkeld Dykes and Bowscar, skirting Plumpton and adding a loop to Hutton End. Return via Penrith/Beacon Edge. Company welcome.

Alison 07500 564922

3 Bike Ride Wednesday 15th November

Ride starts from Dalston at 09:30. Coffee at Maes after about 14 niles, further refreshments either in Keswick (26 miles) or Threlkeld (31 miles). Weather forecast at the moment doesn't look too bad although there's a westerly wind which means that the coffee stop will be something to look forward to! 

ROUTE HERE

Please let me know if you are coming along.

Bill

07921 297 045

2 bike ride Wednesday 8 th November

A direct route to Appleby hub down the Cliburn 

road returning the same way. Start time is 10 am. from Frenchfields down the road behind the Cross Keys where there is roadside parking. NY532 294. Hopefully we will miss any rain 🤞.      Rosie 

3 Bike ride Wednesday 8th Nov

After initial rain mainly overnight it looks like being a sunny day! So the plan is to start at 0930 from Frenchfields Penrith where there is parking on the side of the road. NY534 294
We will then go along the fellside to Merton and down to Appleby hub for coffee hopefully meeting the other group. We then go via Burrells on the KS road and turn up to Whygill head over to Orton  stopping again at the Scar cafe from there its up the scar (steepish) down to Crosby Ravensworth and back to Penrith via Little Strickland. Distance is 60mi but we have the opportunity to reduce this by mutual agreement!

I hope I will have company! WhatsApp or text 07711842885 - as always bring lights just in case we have another puncture!(ref Sunday!)

Route

Geoff

Good showing of Eden Valley Group at Thirlmere Rally

Pictures here

 

 below is from the Change.org update........

 The spirit of community was alive today (5 November) as around 1,000 walkers, cyclists and people with disabilities gathered to protest against the proposed permanent closure of the West Thirlmere Road.

Almost 10,000 people have signed a petition to keep the road open in the name of safety and public right of way.

A proposal is being prepared by Cumberland Council for the Highways Committee on Friday 10 November to approve a permanent closure of the West Thirlmere Road, but has so far met with significant resistance, including 2,310 letters of objection.

A Victorian pledge for future generations

In 1879, the ‘Manchester Corporation Waterworks Act’ entitled the Corporation to dam the lake at Thirlmere creating a reservoir from which water would be pumped over 90 miles to Manchester.  The 1879 Act specified that a new road had to be built and maintained for public use and stated that this road – the West Thirlmere Road (U7003) – “shall be maintained by and at the cost of the Corporation for ever.”

Local historian, Ian Hall, said: 

“In the original Act of 1879, this road had to be built to as a compensation for taking the lovely lakes that were here before and making Thirlmere a reservoir.  

“The Act said that they had to make this road and maintain it in perpetuity for public use and, for the first 120 years, that’s what was done.  Now, United Utilities (who own the dam) want to close it and keep us out forever.  They have a legal obligation to keep it open.  It’s not their right to close this road.  It’s our right to have it open.  I’m delighted to see so many people here today to make that obligation clear.  Let’s get this road open as soon as we possibly can.”

Update 2 bike ride tomorrow 5 November

I have chosen Keswick Museum to meet because it is quite central. I don't have the knowledge to give advice on suitable places to park, most of which come at a cost. The Museum is on Station Road between Upper and Lower Fitz Park. Although there is on-street parking there, I think it is time-limited. The Museum is quite close to the Threlkeld/Keswick former railway route which I plan to take for a short distance as we leave Keswick.

I am planning to leave at 9.45.

I have taken advice (thanks Geoff!) and realise that I can avoid the big hill to Castle Rigg Stone Circle so I plan to amend my ride to take the road slightly further north. If you wish to meet us en route, please let me know so that we can be sure not to miss you.

I'm hoping we will meet up with the 3 bike riders around Legburthwaite and travel with them south along the west Thirlmere road. Club strips will help to identify us as a group.

Don't forget to bring clothes to keep warm in case we are hanging around and also something for your 11s.

I don't have the time to check out this route in advance and this is not a pre-requisite of leading a ride. I have cycled most of the roads at some time but it was a long time ago, so this will be a journey of discovery for us all,

Hope to see some of you tomorrow,

Alison 07500 564922

3 bike ride Sunday 0945 to Thirlmere rally plus around Skiddaw

                                                                     image - Mark Hatton

As you will have heard and will see below in Alison's post - despite United Utility's apparent U turn on keeping the Thirlmere Road closed there is to be a quiet rally to the N end of the closure from Arboth CP (for walkers) and from Legburnthwaite CP for cyclists. 

I propose starting at Greystoke and joining the rally then proceeding on around Skiddaw - ROUTE - bring food but we should be able to stop at Maes or Caldbeck Muddy Duck kiosk. I will check. It being after the clocks have gone back bring lights just in case!

NOTE start time 0945

Let me know if you intend to join us Text or WhatsApp 07711842885

 

Sunday 5 November 2 bike ride to Thirlmere

 As you may know, the quiet road to the west of Thirlmere, which is of particular importance to cyclists seeking to avoid the busy A591, has been closed by United Utitlies for 2 years following Storm Arwen  on 'safety grounds' and has been the subject of an application for permanent closure. The 'Keep Thirlmere Open' campaign has sprung up which we have supported locally and our national body, Cycling UK, has also signalled its opposition to the road closure.

There is a proposal for a Gathering on Sunday, including walkers and cyclists, to 'contemplate' the lake and the proposals to limit access to it. Cyclists are being asked to meet at the Legburthwaite Car Park, leaving there at 10.45 to ride across the Dam, down past Armboth to gather at the fences near Rough Crag where there will  be a rally from 11.30 am. This is to be a peaceful, responsible and legal rally - no damage, no trespassing and no litter.

As there is likely to be pressure on local parking, I am proposing to set off from Keswick, meeting at the Keswick Museum. Even Google knows how slowly I will be cycling up the hill to Castle Rigg stone circle (meet me at the top) so I propose to set off at 9.45 which should see us at Legburthwaite at 10.30. After the rally we will go north to Threlkeld with a possible stop at the cafe there before taking the old railway off road trail back to Keswick.

There is likely to be quite a bit of hanging around and so make sure you have enough extra layers to wear as well as something to eat. Plenty of the club strip in evidence would be a bonus. 

Give me a ring if you want to know more. You can text or message to let me know you're coming. 

I don't think we'll be alone...

Alison (07500 564922)

Have you got any good Photos!

We are putting together fliers to help make others aware of our club/group. Probably not required until the spring ( that time being the best for recruitment!) but I would be pleased to receive striking pictures of views, or cyclists in action around the area. There won't be thousands in photography equipment as prizes but far more important, you'll have your picture on our fliers!

So that you have an idea of what we intend click here. The fliers will also be used to publicise events and may have a space for overprinting but could have one or more photos and be in A5 and possibly A6 format.

Send to me via email or 'drop box' link in original size bearing in mind permissions may need to be granted/requested

thanks in advance

Geoff