Trail Blazing Ride
Day 3 - 17th. July 2006

Crossing the Tidal Ford - River Esk

This tidal crossing was once part of the Cumbria Coast Road - there were also tidal crossing at the River Mite at Ravenglass and the river Irt at Drigg just north of Ravenglass. The whole trail blazing ride had to be geared in around low tide - on the day the ford was usuable for several hours with the water only about 8 " deep - the bed of the ford although looking muddy was quite firm underfoot.

See Wet Roads and view sections on the fords at:
Newbiggin (River Esk), Ravenglass (River Mite) and Drigg (River Irt)

The end of the road at Newbiggin	Into the mud
David Gray takes on water before crossing	Time to carry your bike
Its shallow here !!	Nearly there
Two happy riders	Doug pauses to cool his feet
The scramble up the bank	Time to rest and wash the mud off
Finding away across the tidal marshes	Gully Jumping
Along the beach to Ravenglass	Rescue Boat !!

All photographs by David Martin - Sustrans Liaison Ranger