Trail Blazing Ride
Day 1 - 15th. July 2006
Oxenholme Station to Cartmel
Distance 22 miles

Cyclists from all over the country converged on Oxenholme Station for the start of the main ride, gathering in the station car park, this was a mass of people sorting out their bikes and stowing their baggage and equipment into the two back up vehicles. With everybody registered the ride commenced at 12:00 am and set off for Kendal town centre for our first call of the day.

Having negotiated the one-way road system we passed through the pedestrianised zone (on cycle lanes) to a park - where we had our first stop.

Here we were provided with "goodie" bags by Evans Cycles who had just opened a new shop in Kendal. Already the day was starting to get hot and the cool refreshing drinks were very welcome - little did we know this was to be the coolest day of the 8 day ride !!!!

Evans Cycles provided two skilled bike mechanics to accompany us on the first days ride to Cartmel, fixing on route any problems riders had with their bikes. Remarkable the were few breakdowns - just tweaking of gears etc. as everyone settled into the ride.

Then negotiating the other half of the one-way system we crossed the River Kent and joined the track that followed the line of the old Lancaster Canel now disused and filled in, hopefully this canal will be restored in the future.

Leaving Kendal we followed NCN 6 south before joining the W2W route westbound to Gilpen Bridge. Tim Farron MP for this area joined the ride to Gilpen Bridge where he was to officially open the new Sleekburn Moss Cycleway.
This eliminates a dangerous road side section and was paid for by the Highways Agency.

Before the official opening we were provided with a magnificent buffet lunch at the Gilpen Bridge Hotel - duly re-fuelled the opening ceromony took place - once someone could find some scissors to cut the tape !!!

Tim Farron MP opens the Sleekburn Moss Cycleway

Onwards we rode through the flatlands to Grange Over Sands where our next stop was to be - arriving in the main street where the traffic had been stopped, we were guided into the Town Hall for refreshements provided by the local council. Speeches and presentations were made and we were off again. Climbing steadily we made our way to Cartmel and the Racecourse - where we would camp that night. The group - led by John Grimshaw - that had started from Ambleside arrived about an hour later. See separate report.

Evans Cycles kindly provided food and staff who cooked for a BBQ meal for all the riders.

Fully replenished many riders took the short walk into the village to sample the local ales before turning in.

The camp site at Cartmel Racecourse