01/09/2010 by Simeon Orme.

On Friday 10th Setepember starting from Kendal Leisure Centre at 6.45pm.

This year’s Kendal torchlight will be headed by a spectacular cycle parade.

Everyone is invited - the only proviso is you must have a bike! We want as many cyclists, families, kids and everyone else to turn up with their bike… so tell everyone you know!

Our colour theme for the Torchlight Procession is Red and Gold. Please wear similar colours to make more of an impact, but if you can’t dont worry - turn up anyway.

If you have a wacky bike - bring it along! The wackier the better. If you can decorate your bike - great! Look through the SLACC Blog for some great ideas on decorating your bike.

Meet us 6.45pm at Kendal Leisure Centre, Friday, September 10th. Any questions please ring Ruth or Lorna on 01539 822165

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24/08/2010 by Simeon Orme.

Walna Scar Pass between Coniston and Seathwaite has been a battle ground between off-roaders and the public since the Trail Riders Fellowship made a claim in 2005 to upgrade it from bridleway to byway open to all traffic (BOAT). The Lake District National Park Authority disagreed and made a provisonal order in 2007 for a restricted byway, which would be open to horse-drawn but not motor vechicles. The TRF objected and protracted inquiry proceedings followed. The Green Lanes Protection Group (GLPG - an alliance of 21 organisations including the Friends of the Lake District) entered the fray but the first round went to TRF. GLPG took the matter to the High Court and has now won an order restoring the original bridleway status, so it is now a criminal offence to drive 4×4s or motorcycles on this route between the fell gates.

Graham Plumbe, Vice Chairman of GLPC said “These off-road vehicles have been a nuisance since they first started hill climbing competitively in 1917 and have few supporters locally. This is an important fell pass, used extensively by walkers to access Coniston Old Man. Sorting out the question of rights has been a battle since the law was radically changed in May 2006, but the position now is that the track is a bridleway and motorised use can be prosecuted by the police. The National Park will have to make new order in due course but, given the amount of historical evidence that has been gathered, it is now extremely unlikely that motor vechicles will gain acceptance in the future. It is understood that special arrangements for Coniston Mountain Rescue Team can be made”.

Above is a press release from Green Lanes Protection Group which was e-mail to me today.

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21/08/2010 by Simeon Orme.

For those wanting a longer ride on tomorrow South Lakes Group ride to Semmer Water, I shall be leaving my van at the free car park in High Bentham and will meet anyone who wants join me for a ride over to Horton-in-Ribbledale to start of the South Lakes Group ride at 8.45am. Above is photo from last week’s South Lakes Group ride to Gigglewswick, you can see rest of the photos at this link.

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21/08/2010 by Simeon Orme.

We thought that we would be few on the ground due to illness and holidays but in the event we had a good turnout, though we were outnumbered by visiting members from other groups! The Macclesfield Old Road out of Buxton is steep and stony and for most of us it meant a walk. As usual I was the last to breast the summit for I find walking not easy these days! A pleasent descent to Derbyshire Bridge was followed by a climb to the 1700 foot high Cat and Fiddle where we took a short rest. The one and a half mile bridleway across the moor to the A54 is an easy and pleasant track. A mile along the A54 we took a lane and bridleway to pass some walkers. However we were soon re-passed by them as we sttruggled down the steep, rocky and sandy track to arrive at Three Shires Head. This is an idyllic and popular spot where we stopped to take photos.The track from here is not steep but deep sand and stones make it difficult to ride until it approaches Hawk’s Nest. From here thebridleway is a difficult deeply entrenched and narrow defile dropping through woods to a ford before climbing to meet the tarmac. The road for most of us was a very steep walk to Flash - at over 1500′ the highest village in England. We passed the pub and continued to the recently open cafe at Flash Bar. Three hours had passed and we had covered little more than eight miles. In the old days we could have run it quicker, but alas no more! After  lunch we pased along Axe Edge to take a most pleasent green bridleway which descends beside a tributary of the infant Dove. Reaching Fairthorn we climbed over the ridge to take another grassy bridleway which took us over the moor before descending toHarpur Hill. Here the weather forecast proved correct. The predicted heavey shower arrived and we were forced to shelter under a railway bridge before making a rapid return to the start. Not many miles - a toughish morning,  an easier afternoon - but quality views and company!

John Kemp

To see the rest of photos of the ride click this link.

Posted in Northern Peaks and South Pennine Group | Print | No Comments »

12/08/2010 by Simeon Orme.

The weather forecast today predicted heavy showers, however we were quite lucky, most of them by-passed us, althrough we could see them passing in the distance. We started by riding up to Monubent Head and then took the bridleway of the same name down to Forest Becks, I had never before seen this track so dry. Then it was back onto the tarmac for the next leg to Long Preston and the track over Hunter Bark to Settle. Our group was quite large today, so we split up to use several of the many cafes in the town, the one I chose wanted £6.40 for a cheese sandwich. I declined and went elsewhere.

Leaving Settle we crossed the A65, towards Craven Ridge and the track beside Scoutber Crag. Just as we began the climb I mentioned to Ken Glaze that when I originally asked for permisson to use this private road from the farmer, it transpired that Ken had been at the school with his wife, who hailed from Hilldale. So, as we passed the farm I re-introduced them, small World!

We then climbed Hensley Hill to Tosside, and took afternoon tea at the Whelpstone Cafe. Unfortunately we caught a hefty shower on the four mile descent back to Bolton-by-Bowland, but Idon’t think this detracted too much from today’s thirty mile ride. Another good day of fellowship, with the Fellowship. Thank you all for your excellent company.

Brian Parkinson

You can checkout the rest of the ride photos at this link.

Posted in Lancashire Group | Print | No Comments »

12/08/2010 by Simeon Orme.

Peter and Simeon following the bridleway to Bannisdale High Bridge, photo taken by Paul Revell.

Peter crossing over Ashstead Beck, photo taken by Paul Revell.

Ian using the footbridge to cross over Ashstead Beck, photo taken by Paul Revell.

A photo of Simeon using the footbridge to cross over Ashstead Beck, photo taken by Paul Revell.

It alway great to see photos taken by other members of the South Lakes Group, you can see the rest of photos of the ride taken by your webmaster at this link.

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09/08/2010 by Simeon Orme.

This morning there was quite a lot on Radio Lancashire Breakfast Program about a proposed ride by the presenter Graham Liver from The Eifel Tower to Blackpool Tower in aid of the BBC Children in Need Appeal. They had Ken Hartley (80) from Blackburn CTC on talking to Graham and giving him advice. Graham will be riding about 60 miles per day and presenting the three hour breakbast program each morning from a different place.

You can hear the talk on the BBC listen again until next Monday at this link.

It is a three hour show but the cycling part starts about 2 hours 23 minutes in to the show and continues with short interruptions for news items right up to the end. Do listen to all of it as some of the best bits are right at the end.

The above was e-mail to me by RSF member Matt Hodges

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04/08/2010 by Simeon Orme.

Further options for the Lancashire Group on the 9th September, from Slaidburn to the Gisburn Forest and Tosside. There will be opportunity to stay at Kings House Hostel (YHA), at Slaidburn on Wednesday the 8th and Thursday the 9th September for those wanting to ride to, and from the event. We intend to meet at the Fairfield Tea Room at Osbaldeston, on the A59 (Longsight Road), for lunch at noon on Wednesday the 8th of September, but feel free to ride to the hostel independently if you so wish. Please contact Brian on 01254-772983 if you would like him to book your accommodation or  want more details.

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02/08/2010 by Simeon Orme.

Above photo is a close up of the coffee cake that I had at the Cafe in the Forest at Grizedale Forest Visitor Centre where we stop for our afternoon brew, you can see the rest of the ride photos at this link.

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02/08/2010 by Simeon Orme.

We met at Langsett Barn on a rather grey day but at least it was not cold or raining. The start was delayed as we tried to convince a cyclist that he would be better off if he joined the RSF. We dropped below the reservoir to cross the stream and follow a right of way up the hillside. Passing along the edges of fields on what was technically a footpath we throught it prudent to walk. Soon it became a wide and well used track with signs of numerous bike tracks, so we started to ride. At Midhopestones we had to walk a steep and enclosed bridleway which took us up to road to Strines after we had passed through a field of cows with an enormous bull. Fortunately we did not notice him until we were safely through a gate, and judging by the number of calves he must have had an enjoyable springtime. A short on-road climb took us Whitwell Moor and a long descent to Bolsterstone. Here a byway led around Townend Common with a steep stony descent from Hollin Edge Height to Ewden. After crossing the valley the ascent proved too much and, except for Grayham, we were reduced to walking. At Brightholmlee we followed Storth Lane around the hillside. This turned out to be a delightful bridleway with a steepish descent at the end. Then instead of dropping directly to Oughtibridge we took a gut wrenching walk and climb over the ridge to Onesacre. The reward was a super drop to our lunch stop. There is no cafe at Oughtibridge and we were directed to “The Pheasant” that proundly displayed a sign “food now being served” We locked the bikes and went inside only to be told that they were not doing food! So, we found the “Cock Inn” and what super spot this turned out to be - highly recommended. “Is it Yorkshire Tea?” Sol asked “Nothing else!” was the reply. South Yorkshire always seems to come up trumps in terms of food stops, as even Frank had to admit! Fed, we entered Whamcliffe Woods and followed the Trans Pennine Trail to Wortley. After a little difficulty we managed to locate a ford across the infant River Don where Frank and Grayham posed for photos. Then we had to walk a steeply rising and slippery track through woods and fields to reach the road to Green Moor. We followed the road for 3 to 4 miles to a highpoint near Hartcliffe where a bridleway drops to A616. After stopping to look at a field full of deer and to admire the panorama over Langsett we thought it better to walk. There was no track and if it had not been for the blue markers we would not have found it easy to locate the route. The ground was steep, hard and badly churned up by cows and we did not fancy going over the handlebars. The final kilometre back along the A616 was distinctly unpleasant - narrow with fast moving heavy traffic - not to be recommended and the only downside to what had been a super day with lots of new ground in a area I thought I knew well - even if for me it was a knee knacking one.

John Kemp

Click this link to see rest of the ride photos.

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