Trail Blazing Ride
Day 4 - 18th. July 2006
Lowca to Whitehaven to Silloth
Distance 33.5 miles

Leaving the Lowca campsite the ride turn back several mile to the Beacon Centre at Whitehaven for a Civic Send Off and media event - tea, coffee and chocolate biscuits for all.

Leaving Whitehaven Beacon Centre photo by David Martin

Whitehaven Harbour Promenade photo by David Martin

After the ceremonies were concluded we set off for Silloth our next overnight stop. Swiftly we departed Whitehaven and made our way back through Parton to Lowca to join the railway path all the way to Workington. Sadly this will be the last chance to use this lovely railpath between Lowca & Distington as a new bypass will obliterate it. A new path will take its place.

Mile 23 heading to Parton photo by David Matin

Mile 25 Lowca to Workington Railpath photo by David Martin

Swiftly passing through Workington on the railpath we crossed the River Derwent - went through the Hagworm Wiggle Pass to the point where Hadrian's Cycleway diverges from the Sea to Sea (C2C) route. New direction signs were now apparent, but it seems those doing the C2C 71 or Reivers 10 have to cycle backwards !!!

Mile 30.6 Hagworm Wiggle Pass Workington photo by Cass Gilbert

Sign at Mile 30.8 Workington Apparently you cycle backwards on the C2C and Reivers !!!

At this point John Grimshaw,Sustrans decided on a Romans and Barbarians photo shoot, the Romans with flags rode along the C2C to the Roman remains at Burrow Walls about a mile along the track - here we assembled with flags waving on the overbridge whist down below on the HCW the Barbarians sweltered in the sunshine for us to finish - a near mutiny saw the Barbarians cycle on their way to Flimby !!

After passing the wind turbines at Siddick we arrived at the end of the off-road cycle track and FLIMBY. This next section is only temporary and will be improved hopefully by 2007. Two crossings of the busy A596(T) road are required - the first of which quite smoothly. With everyone assembled along the road verge - rangers went out and stopped the traffic in both directions where upon it was a mass crossing over to the other verge. (an island refuge is to be built at this point with traffic calming measures). Following the footway on the other side we turned up a rough lane where we listened to the Cumbrian Council officer describe how this section will be improved by 2007 - to the accompaniment of mooing cows !!

Passing quickly through Flimby we arrived back at the A596(T) for the second crossing - which did not go as smoothly - this was due to a bottleneck on the other side of the road where we had to pass through The "Flimby Crawl" - see photos - this is very low but will be dug out deeper soon to give more headroom, have anew path built from the road and a safe crossing point. At one point we had to instigate one-way alternate traffic until everyone was safely across and through the tunnel. The majority of motorists were understanding.

The Flimby Crawl

"In we go" Railway underpass at Flimby This is due to be dug out to give more headroom.

"Out we come" This tunnel links to a new off-road path to Maryport Harbour and Town. photo by David Martin

Safely through the tunnel we sped on our way along a new path through the sand dunes to Maryport Marina for a one hour lunch stop. Quickly everyone found a suitable eating / drinking establishment for some well deserved food and liquid refreshments

Senhouse Roman Museum

The riders start to arrive

The replica Watch Tower

I had to curtail my lunch early as John Grimshaw asked me to ride on ahead to Senhouse Roman Museum - which is situated on the Sea Brows above the town - to beg free entry to the Museum. No need as when I arrived the local councils etc. were waiting our arrival. Once the rest of the pack arrived it was "photo time" !! Lots of flag waving from the replica Roman Watch Tower. After a quick look around the museum it was back down to the sea again - this time taking a narrow path leading down the side of Sea Brows to the promenade again. Note cycling is not normally permitted on this path but it is hoped to have it upgraded later.

Mile 38 Maryport Sea Promenade

Mile 38.5 B5300 to Allonby

At the end of the promenade we joined the Golf Club access road for a short while before joining the B5300 for part of the way to Silloth. ( This is another reason this section is not yet open - an off-road path is hopefully to be constructed along the land side of this road -as the seaward side is an ANOB). By now it was getting very hot - so an ice cream stop was made at Allonby.

Ice Cream stop at Allonby - mile 42
photo by David Martin

Leaving Allonby we headed north to Oldkiln where we turn off the B5300 road and followed minor back roads onto Silloth - a couple of miles back on B roads saw arrive at the Silloth Rugby club ground where most would be camping that night.

Sunset over the Solway firth
photo by David Martin

Official Opening of Hadrian's Cycleway