Meet at Bull Beck Picnic Site nr Caton, Lancaster LA2 9QR for a 9:30 am. start on Sunday 17th July.
To find Bull Beck leave the M6 at junction 34 and get in the right lane marked A683 for Kirby Lonsdale. The village of caton is a couple of miles along this road. As you leave the village look out for the picnic site entrance on the right about 1/2 mile further on. There is a sign but it is easy to miss. Parking is free and there are toilets on site (20p) plus the bonus of a tea/snackshack open from 9.00 am.
It's expected to be hot so please make sure you apply sun tan lotion, have plenty to drink although bottles can be filled up in Dent (see below) where we plan to stop for a bite to eat. The cafe takes cash or contactless but it's wise to have some cash in case the machine is broken. Bringing snacks as well is advisable as that is the only planned stop at the halfway point, we may stop at a pub for a cold Coke if required.
Please bring the usual tools and puncture repair kit. Daytime running lights are a good idea though we will be back well before the light fades. NO-ONE will be left behind.
- Distance Instructions
- Distance 53 miles
- Time 4 h 30 min
- Speed 12 mph
- Min altitude 36 ft
- Peak 974 ft
- Ascend 2881 ft
- Descent 2828 ft
An easy start from the Bull Beck car park (LA2 9QR) just outside Caton takes you along the cycle path paralleling the road until you reach Halton where you cross the bridge and climb up to four lane ends. Heading for the Kellets and Capernwray be sure to look left for, on a clear day, there are excellent views of the Lakeland fells. Quiet undulating roads bring you back to the B6254 and into Kirby Lonsdale, turn right and immediately left to pass the devils Bridge loos and tea van. Turn briefly back onto the main road and head left to the first left turn onto Chapelhouse Lane onto the line of the old Roman road. Eventually a sharp bend left starts the climbing proper although never to hard until the trees disappear and you emerge onto the open road through Barbondale itself, this road is never less than a pleasure to ride whether it's sunny or damp and drizzly.
After the long but pleasant climbing you are rewarded with the mile long descent to Gawthrop, although take care when you descend past the 14% sign, it feels steeper and the junction is not that far off, make sure you scrub some speed of here. Turn right to arrive in Dent if you feel like a bite to eat, water bottles can be refilled at the camp site if needed. Leave Dent the way you came but follow the river on the East bank, until crossing to the West bank and Jordan Lane just after Rash. You are now on the Lakes & Dales loop for a while. Very quickly you pass an old building on the right with some old millstones leaning aginst the wall, this is the old mill and methodist chapel of which there were four hereabouts. Climb and descend gently round the foot of the fells to Holme farm campsite where the lane turns south again believed to follow another section of Roman road. Join the main road for a few miles before turning off to the left to take the back lanes through Millbeck and Barbon. Initially this lane makes you wonder whether you've gone wrong as it gets narrower and rougher but persevere, it does improve.
Arriving back at Kirby lonsdale reverse your outward route through Wittingham and Newton before heading through Arkholme, a short gentle climb brings you to the Gressingham turn, follow this down and head to and through Hornby joining the A683. Three miles on this busier but wide road bring you back to Bull Beck and the start. if you are lucky the cafe will still be open, get a coke, you've earned it!
1. Start
Bull Beck Picnic Site just outside Caton. Toilets and tea bar/snacks on site LA2 9QR
2. End
Bull beck Picnic Site LA2 9QR
