Trail Blazing Ride
Day 3 - 17th. July 2006
Silecroft to Lowca
Distance 33 miles
This was to prove to be another interesting and challenging day trail blazing the future route of NCN 72 and Hadrian's Cycleway from Ravenglass to Sellafield.
The main group having failed to get permission to ride along a farmers access road instead had to use a main road for a couple of miles before using farm tracks consisting of sea gravel which was very hard to cycle on with everyone slipping and sliding.
John Grimshaw took a more determined group along the beach before climbing the cliff face to re-join the main group at Gutterby. At Annisford the group again split up with one taking the cliff edge path and crossing through farmers fields while the other used a shorter link having gained permission that morning from the farmer. Finally we were back on tarmac and speeded on our way to the highlight of the day. The tidal ford over the River Esk alongside the Eskmeals Rail Viaduct.
The cliff top path to near Gutterby
When the ride was planned we had to take into account the tidal ford over the River Esk just south of Ravenglass. Dire warnings were given by locals that we should not use it and that people would be drowned. With tide tables to hand we scheduled the ride around the lowest tide time that day. To avoid this ford involves a six mile detour on a busy main road with steep hills and blind bends.
To ensure it was feasible a full risk assessment was carried out, a month before the ride, by wading across on foot when the maximum water depth was only 10".
On the day the water depth was only 5" and there was no need to carry your bike.
Although it looked muddy it was only a thin layer and quite easy to push your bike across.
River Esk Tidal Ford and riding along the old beach road at Ravenglass
for more images of this tidal crossing
The fun bit was getting up the slippery bank on the other side where a human chain was used to pull bikes and riders onto the bank.
With everyone safely across we rested on the salt marshes before cycling along the beach to Glannaventa Bath House - the official starting point for Hadrian's Cycleway.
But before that we had to visit Muncaster Castle for a photo shoot - this meant a climb up to the castle in blazing heat through the trees without any benefit of the cooling sea breeze. Many ice creams were consumed on reaching the cafe. As cycling is not normally permitted in the castle grounds we were granted special permission to do so and were escorted by an electric golf buggy to ensure we rode slowly !! Once our duty was done it was back down to the Bath House for more photos before starting the trail blazing of Hadrian's Cycleway.
Crossing the River Mite on the narrow accommodation bridge in single file we observed cyclists coming the other way using the tidal ford which appeared to have a firm surface and to be easy to ride over - the water channel was only 20 feet across and quite shallow and had stepping stones as well.
Holme Pack Horse Bridge
John Grimshaw (centre) with FlagOnwards we rode to take the future route via Holme Pack Horse Bridge - with the dry weather this was OK but some what bumpy and the fields had just been mown but it avoided the main road again. In wet weather this section is not advisable and will be upgraded hopefully by 2007 to a surfaced cycle path.
Donning our protective sun creams it was on to Seascale where the local church had laid tea, coffee and cold drinks with cake and biscuts - all of which were quickly consumed.
Using the foreshore track required pushing in places due to the soft sand - another reason while this section cannot be official opened until the path is improved. Passing under the rail bridge and over the River Calder we passed the railway sidings containing many nuclear flask wagons. The next stop was Sellafied Visitors Centre for lunch time refreshments - where we stayed for a while to cool down in the air conditioned cafe as by now it was the hottest day ever. Unfortunately the number of cyclists overwhelmed the catering staff but all the feed and watered in the end.
Leaving Sellafield the ride passed through Berkermet and due to the signs not corresponding to the map and multiple choice of route - riders entered Egremont from two directions - only to confronted with even more confusion as to where the route actually went next.
Finally getting through Egremont we joined the rail path to Moor Row where we joined the C2C route to Whitehaven - pausing briefly for a photo call at the many artworks along this section. Remarkably the path was almost free of glass and we quickly rode down to Whitehaven Harbour. Originally we were to stay at the Copeland Stadium but due to technical problems this was changed to the Rugby Club at Lowca - meaning we had to cycle passed Whitehaven a few extra miles. Many riders stopped to shop at Tesco before continuing on to Lowca.
Artwork seat on C2C / HCW made from old bridge girders
