Trail Blazing Ride
Day 2 - 16th. July 2006
Cartmel to Silecroft via Kirkby Moor
Distance 37 miles

Another fine hot day greeted us on waking - this day was expected to be the most challenging of the whole 8 day ride as we were to take a link route between the W2W up and over Kirkby Moor to rejoin the projected route of NCN 72 again at Chapels. This would involve a climb from sea level to 295m. before descending again back to sea level.

Before leaving Cartmel Race Course the group split into two groups with a fast group of 20 cyclists riding all the way down to Barrow in Furness before rejoining the main group at Broughton in Furness around lunch time. The second group which had 50+ riders set off 15 min's. later.

Leaving Cartmel Race Course

Climbing steadily we made the first summit of the day at Barnsley Hill - 143m before descending, steeply to Greenodd and sea level again. After a brief stop under the road viaduct to cool off and gather all the back markers in we set of for the main climb of the day over Kirkby Moor. Soon after leaving Greenodd we left the W2W route to follow a twisting series of farm lanes - here we were very able led by Phil Webster, Sustrans Ranger and YHA Warden at the Dudden Estuary YHA Hostel. At every turning Phil delegated someone to act as a point marker, this system ensured no one got lost or left behind.

The climb to Barnsley Hill

On route towards the Kirkby Slate road

Climbing all the time we arrived at the start of the Kirkby Slate Road which rose steadily along the side of the mountain to a summit of 295m. Here we stopped to gather our breath and the stragglers - by now it was getting even hotter and rumours begain to circulate that we were in for a heat wave. This would have made a nice spot to have had an ice cream van !!

Start of the Kirkby Slate Road

Taking a rest near the top

Suitable refreshed we cycled on, on ever worsening surfaces passing through the Kirkby Moor Wind farm turbines until finally it became a rough grassy track through the heather and ferns. The final section involved a very steep descent down a rocky gully to where the back up were vehicles waiting at the bottom. Here everyone took on water and energy bars.

Starting the descent

Passing through the wind farm

Now almost back down to sea level we continued onto Foxfield - here Phil led up and along a ridge line before climbing a steep path to intersect with a disused railway line ( it is hoped eventually this will be upgraded to a cycle route. Turning south west we head for Broughton in Furness which was to be our lunch stop. Here we overwhelmed the local cafe facilities and had a long wait for our food - which was OK as the riders doing the loop to Barrow in Furness had not yet arrived. Once they arrived and had their lunch it was off again.

Somewhere near Broughton in Furness

The next few miles saw the large group of cyclists impeding the Sunday traffic on the busy A595(T) road - most were considerate but a few were not. Thankfully we turned off this road as soon as possible and wound our way in roller coaster fashion until we finally reached the Dudden Estuary flood embankments. Here acrobatics and synchronised cycling down the side of embankment was performed for the benefit of the photographers without anyone falling off.

Up and down the flood embankments !!

On into Millom and the Sports Centre where we were greated by the Mayor, by now it was getting really hot, upper 80's, Tony Ambrose brought and paid for 80+ ice cream bars for everyone which were distributed by David Gray in his new role as a Walls Ice Cream Man !!
These were quickly consumed, before they melted while listening to the speeches and the local vicar who is keen cyclist.

On our way out of Millom we called at his church at Haverigg to see the stain glass windows - then the real trail blazing began. The projected route of NCN 72 is planned to use abandoned lanes, flood embankments and rough tracks to Silecroft, our planned camping site that night.

Trail Blazing

Phil had done a reconnaissance of the route several months age but since then the vegetation had grown rampant with the lanes almost totally blocked with nettles and weeds etc. Many declined the chance to sample this and chose to ride the long way round on road. It was now down to walking only as we trail bashed our way through - next time I will remember to bring a machette.

John Grimshaw - Sustrans leads the way

Reaching Silecroft everyone quickly got their gear and set up camp. Others partook of B&B at the Miners Arms 1/2 mile away. That evening the landlord put on a BBQ at £5 per head. At closing time the stragglers made their way back to their tents or a nice soft comfortable double bed for a well desreved sleep.