Ferrets Go a'Ferreting

Another long delay since the Ferrets got out and about, partly due to Clive breaking his ankle (daft thing to do, we know) but largely because the darned weather failed to play ball.  So, a late albeit short Indian Summer just had to be taken advantage of, and a run up to Kirkby Stephen was organised at short notice - and a grand opportunity it was for Clive to test his recently un-cast ankle.  And quite honestly we couldn't have asked for better conditions.  Although a little cool first thing, the whole day was just the right temperature and the air preternaturally crystal clear, so the many and wonderful views were just breathtaking.  On top of this, apart from the odd patches of field muck you expect at this time of the year, the roads were perfect for some very spirited riding.

The route was chosen both because it took us to the best areas for the weather and for it not being overly long, given the shortening days this late in the season.  But, packed into this shorter day we had a wealth of superb roads, with a pleasing cross-section of types taking us from close frenetic lane swinging to high speed swooping, and all this against a backdrop of eye-wateringly intense autumnal colours sweeping into the far distant clarity.  Coming off the Trough of Bowland, and down towards our first stop at the Crook o'Lune, we could clearly see as far south as Blackpool, along the Fylde Coast, up Morecambe Bay and on into the Estuary into which the Lune flows, and in the seemingly nearer than usual distance the sharp outlines of the Lakeland peaks.  All in all, a quite magical experience.

A civilised late start kicked off the day with a 09:15 meet just south of Clitheroe, where SteveG, Clive and the Stueys met up outside Maccy D's.

Clive was to take the lead for the run up to Kirkby Stephen, even though it was Stuey's route, so that he could try out using his new Garmin Zumo GPS, which got a very big thumbs-up - and no U-turns taken all day!

Through the Forest & Trough to the Crook o'Lune

More or less at 09:30 (might have been later as we were all catching up on a lot of lost time) we were off on the very short hop down the A59 for the turn off through Whalley and it's immediate access into the Forest of Bowland, with the seemingly endless series of dips and bends that let you wend your way through Cow Ark and Dunsop Bridge before spilling out into the Trough of Bowland, where our first autumnal colour-fest was to strike us dumb.  The late heather and bracken mauves and purples were indescribable, and just had to be seen to be believed.

The Trough took us from the spurts and tipping-in progress-sapping reverie of the climb out of the valley onto the low hills  into the slightly faster spurts and tipping-in progress-sapping reverie of the climb up the Trough, along the beautiful Marshaw Wyre river banks.  And to cap off all this visceral biking pleasure, we were treated to the sudden and almost explosive impact of the view from above Quernmore, with Morecambe Bay, the estuary and the march of the Lakeland mountains being High-Density etched into our retinas.  How we kept to the road on the long steep descent beggars belief, given the pull on our eyes that that view had.  Still, descend we did, and before long we were nipping along the A683 west of Caton to the turn off for Woody's grub bar at the Crook o'Lune.

It was here that Garf & Sue joined us making up the 4 bikes so far.  Again, time was very pleasantly spent, over various bites and drinks, catching up on the long parting since the last run.  It was also here that Del phoned to let us know that Sedbergh was hosting a cycling event, and that the roads through were consequently closed, and that he was stuck on the wrong side for getting to meet us at Devil's Bridge.  So, we agreed that the first one there would phone the other to make any further plans.

It was also incumbent on Clive to apologise to Del for heavily underestimating the ride's time of passing through Devil's Bridge - the overall slowness of the route through the Forest and Trough having been overlooked - and so all our plans looked to be thrown to the wind.

Kirkby Stephen via Devil's Bridge

Later than expected, we were back out onto the road and quickly taking advantage of the quiet back lanes through Arkholme and Newton and the long and exhilarating run down the Lune valley to Devil's Bridge, where luck would have it that Del was patiently waiting to tag onto the ride - the cycling event in Sedbergh having finished allowing the road to be re-opened.

It was a sheer pleasure to lap up one of the country's most treasured biking roads, from Devil's Bridge up the A683 through Sedbergh and on to Kirkby Stephen where we piled into the Pink Geranium Cafe for lunch.

As Del had a prior commitment, and the late running of the early section meant that we were later getting to Kirkby Stephen, it was unfortunately necessary for him to cut his ride with us off here, and to return home.  So, we bade him fond farewells, and the remaining bikes set off on the return journey.

Tebay, Kendal, and past Devil's Bridge to the Caton Biker's Meet

The route back south was led by Stuey, Clive having satisfied himself that his new GPS toy was more than up to the job, who led us admirably along the spirited section of the A685 to our turn off at Tebay for the equally fast and more fun fast-sweeping section down the awe-inspiring Lune valley through Roundthwaite and on to Kendal, through which we slowly passed before bursting out onto the A65 for Burton.

At Burton we delved once more into the treasure trove of back lanes across to Kirkby Lonsdale, where we were originally to stop for a break at Devil's Bridge.  However, the beautiful weather had brought everybody and their dogs out, both on bikes, and the 'Bridge' was chock-a-block, so Stuey wisely suggested that we carry on past to the biker's meet just east of Caton.  This took us down to Hornby where we detoured the short distance to the meet, and found much more space to park up and relax. 

This was an ideal opportunity, given that we were somewhat further west than anticipated, for both Sue & Garf and Steve to cut-off for home, so it was again time for heartfelt farewells leaving Stu, Lainey and Clive to complete the planned ride.

Caton, Back onto Route, and to the Finish at Gisburn

The final section continued the theme of the day, and delivered up some wonderful and varied biking roads along the northern edge of the Forest of Bowland through Lower and Higher Bentham, onto the A65 as far as the turn south on the Gisburn road at Long Preston.  This last flourish delivered both bikes, complete with well satisfied riders, into the main street of Gisburn where the final farewells were made and both bikes made their own ways home.

It seems that for once the weather gods smiled down on the Ferrets, for as this report is being written the rain is once more lashing against the windows, and the world seems to have returned to it previous vengeful state of affairs.  So, this rare gem of a day sparkles the more and from it's setting in the mind, the memories provide their glow of warmth to last us through the coming Winter.  At its simplest ..... a pure tonic.

Photographs courtesy of Clive's phone camera ... so apologies for the poorer quality this time - forgot the camera, didn't he!

Page Updated

29/09/2008 20:06