by Margaret Brown
Fifteen of us went on the weekend trip to Cockermouth, some on nearby caravan site some in Premier Inn and Travel lodge.
Friday 9th September: Ride to Maryport.
We met at mid day, in the Brewers Fare, the start being delayed by heavy rain so we stayed indoors drinking extra cups of coffee until the weather improved. Fully stoked up with coffee 7 of us (Jim, Jackie, Marjorie, Steve, Paul, and me cycled into Cockermouth picking up the cycle route 71 to Great Broughton, then on to Maryport, had a look at the harbour, the lighthouse, and the very stormy seas, then a café stop on the marina, then back south on the Cumbrian Cycleway to Flimby then across back to Great Broughton and Brigham dropping Jim, Jackie Marjorie and Steve at the caravan site the rest of us continued on into Cockermouth to the hotel.
A short 13 or so miles, of a windy ride which was mainly dry. Great start.
Saturday 10th September: Whinlatter Pass to Portinscale, return over Honister Pass
After much discussion whether we could manage Honister Pass 9 of us (we were joined by Chris and Sue) decided to go for it as, there was only Chris on a normal bike and he was quite capable of riding the pass unassisted and the other 8 of us on electric. (I know its cheating somewhat but there was no way most of us would have happily ridden over the passes and as we were all electric we decided to give it a go.) The weather forecast was good with no rain or clouds.
The 5 of us staying at the Premier Inn and travel lodge picked up the 4 at the caravan site at Brigham, then looped round to Great Broughton and Eaglesfield to High Lorton then on to Whinlatter Pass, picking up route 71 to Portinscale where we found a lovely café for lunch. Here Jackie adopted a bumble bee in dire need of sustenance!! She gave it sugar and water as it rested on her jacket sleeve, success!! it finally flew off onto a nearby flower basket much to Jackies joy and Jim’s despair!!. After we were all refreshed we rode to Grange, Rosthwaite and Seatoller to start the climb over Honister. So engaging bottom gear the ascent began, the views were magnificent which made it all worth while. We slowly made our way up meeting at the slate mine at the top. Then for the fantastic long downhill to Buttermere, while we regrouped there we noticed that there was a lot of helicopter activity assuming it was the mountain rescue we were about to set off when we were told it was TOM CRUSIE !!! filming his latest action movie. So we stopped for a while to watch, the sequence involved 3 sky divers jumping out of a helicopter doing various actions before landing then the whole process repeated many times while they got the shots they needed, it was amazing to watch, though we didn’t see Tom Cruise though I am reliably informed that the middle sky diver was him doing his own stunts. When asked what the film was they wouldn’t tell us, but then general consensus was that it was his latest “Mission Impossible film” due out in 2023. After all the excitement we then had to hurry homewards carrying on down past Buttermere and Crummock Water back down the valley to Lorton and onto Cockermouth. One of those days that stand out in your memory.
42 miles and 4,000 ft of climbing. Beautiful day out.
Sunday 11th September: Ride to Silloth for lunch and return via Aspatria. Weather mainly sunny, though raining late afternoon
After the previous exertions 9 of us opted for a gentler route. We rode to Maryport the picking up the Cumbrian cycle way North. We rode to Silloth for lunch, it is a very much like Grange-over-sands, very Victorian with a long cobbled promenade and nice sea front. Again we found a lovely café on the promenade called “Mrs Wilson’s” named after a famous singer and musician from Blackburn called Kathleen Ferrier (Wilson was her married name). The food was excellent and the staff were lovely even providing a large slice of birthday cake for Chris, suitable fuelled we set off for Aspatria hoping to find afternoon tea there, but were unlucky so we rode on thinking we would have to miss out, however when we rode to Arkleby we saw posters advertising refreshments at Plumbland Church (all churches were celebrating their history this weekend and were open for visitors) as expected the cakes were delicious and plenty of tea provided. So again replenished we were off home via Bridekirk and Great Broughton and back to hotel and caravan sites. The last hour we rode in soft rain which was not unpleasant.
46 miles but this time only 2022 ft of climbing and a gentle pace.
Thanks Jim for organising a great weekend with wonderful rides I thoroughly enjoyed it all.