The weather forecast was bad with low pressure, rain and wind. I set
off on my bike at 05:30am in the rain. As I approached Preston the
rain eased and at Preston Rail Station it had stopped. I caught the
06:40 Glasgow train to Oxenholme. As soon as I got on the train I
was instructed to take all my panniers off and hang my bike up by
the wheel. Shortly after the Lancaster stop I returned to my bike
and started to re-assemble it ready for the Oxenholme stop.
Oxenholme
When I got there at about 07:15 it was still dark and the rain had
just stopped. I wheeled my bike through the underpass to the
platform by the exit. A queue of people were waiting by the small
coffee vehicle that is usually parked there. Outside on the road it
started raining as I set off towards the busy A65. I wasn’t on it
long before turning right along a minor lane that is also one of the
cycle routes. It was very wet and flooded in places.
Underpass near the Derby Arms
Going under the rail bridge there was a cascade of water falling
from above. In the village of Natland I turned left and along
another road with floods to Sedgwick then over the River Kent. Up a
narrow lane was a steep climb to Levens. Along the minor lanes to
Sampool I reached the old road that runs parallel to its
replacement, the main A590. At the Derby Arms I followed the cycle
route across the ‘A’ road through a narrow underpass. Then I was out
into open countryside struggling into a strong headwind. Several
sections of road were flooded.
Grange-over-Sands Railway Station
I reached Grange-over-Sands and stopped at the Railway Station for a
quick look on the platform before taking the cycle route along the
promenade. It was rainy a bleak as I cycled along. The sea no longer
reaches the promenade as it is now a grassy area. I reached the old
Lido which is boarded up and looks very dilapidated. I spoke to a
young couple who were out walking. They said it is to be
refurbished. I continued to the road and followed it into
Allithwaite. Through the village I climbed up then down into Cartmel.
The derelict lido was built on the seafront in 1932 and it closed in
1993. It was listed Grade II in 2011.
c 1910
Two of the lovely old photos on the wall of the Lido building
It was still raining so parked my bike and went into Cartmel Priory
for a bit of shelter. It was very pleasant inside and two ladies
were at the reception and offered me a free leaflet, which I
declined. It was even allowed to take photos. I left and continued
past the horse racing circuit along a very hilly lane with many ups
and downs. It wasn’t very picturesque and I wouldn’t have come this
way if I’d known.
Cartmel Priory
A very steep descent took me down to Low Wood where I left the road
to join a track that is also the cycle route Coastal Way. I’d been
looking forward to it but soon changed my mind as it deteriorated to
an appalling surface.
Cartmel Priory
The final mile to the footbridge over the River Leven was almost
unrideable and some sections under deep water had to be bypassed by
the muddy grass adjacent.
Route through the rough lanes
Over the footbridge the track was even worse and I had to wheel my
bike into Greenodd. I stopped at the bus stop to shelter from the
rain and have something to eat.
Footbridge at Greenodd over the Leven
I was on the very busy A5092 and continued along it until I could
turn off for Spark Bridge and the quiet lanes. I headed along the
east side of Coniston and had forgotten about the long steep climbs
around Brantwoon at the north end. I rode into Coniston village in
the pouring rain and stopped at the first general store. The bottled
water was very expensive so I continued to the next which was the
Co-op.
This is the cycle track near Greenodd
I bought a 5lt for £1.19 then continued north on the A593. It was a
long climb to near the summit where I’d hoped to camp. Unfortunately
the ground was waterlogged and brambles stopped me getting to a
pitch I’d used before. I had no choice but to continue down to
Skelwith Bridge. Further along the main road I noticed a group of
trees up to the left and some flat ground. I found a spot just out
of sight of the road and pitched my tent. The rain was light but
increased and continued through the night.
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Whittle Wanderer
