RIDERS :- Mike, Anthony, John W, Jim C.
Sadly only four of "The Lads" were available for this week ride. "We few. We precious few" whom Mike has dubbed "Trikercerotops" ( 'ang on. When was the wheel invented ?)
The early morning news had warned us of problems on the M6 so we took the longer route along the A6 which was fine until we reached Lancaster where it seemed traffic coming off the motorway had contributed to a snarl up through the city. Consequently, coffee time, (I know you are all interested in this !) had already arrived by the time we were parking up on the quayside in Lancaster.
We soon had the 'bikes off the racks, assembled and ready to go.
We crossed to the river embankment and pedalled off back towards the centre of Lancaster and the Millennium Bridge. Over the bridge and onto the cycle track which followed the path of an old railway line. It was a grey day but so far dry and the going was easy as we gently pushed forward towards the coast. Half way there we were reminded of the railway connection as we crossed a "live" track.
On we pedalled and it was not long before we arrived at the busy junction close to the famous "Midland Hotel" where, naturally, after following an old railway track, we emerged next to an old Railway Station.
A little careful negotiation saw us across this busy section of the highway and rounding the "Art Deco" hotel. John, at least, was disappointed to discover that the cafe on the "Stone Jetty" was closed. Anthony could afford a supercilious smile as he had already told us this was the case.
There in the distance - a sad little "closed" cafe
"Never mind" advised Mike "There's a great, little cafe at Hest Bank. (Is that sentence tautological ?)
We continued along the delightful sea front and for once did not stop to pay our respects to "Eric" Your writer, at least, continued the journey expecting a bolt of vengeful lightning at any moment. As we cycled we were accompanied on our left by the magnificent view across Morecambe Bay to the distant Lake District.
Just after passing "Bare" ( careful how you interpret that.) we crossed the road and climbed a shallow but lengthy rise (Puff ! Puff ! Pant ! Pant !) to the canal. I think Mike had been recently playing "Monopoly" as it was a case of "Do Not Go Directly to Cafe" but climb a hill, follow a tortuous route to the canal and then drop down again. mmmmm ? AND THEN dear reader, your writer was denied a delicious "Hot Chocolate" drink and was dragged kicking and screaming away from the cafe and forced to sit on a hard park bench "Aah !" I hear you say.... (don't I ?)
.......here are mugshots of the villainous trio.
Do you recognise any of them ?.....................................
After a leisurely and pleasant lunch it was back to the Monopoly Game as we now had to go "Direct to Jail" well the canal anyway, IT WAS UPHILL !! we walked.
All, that is, except one rather smug individual whose "ELECTRIC" bike purred it's way up the hill.
By now the theory of evolution showed it's hand as onetime Meanderthals were rapidly evolving into examples of that ancient beast the "MEGASOREARSE" . The delightful, wide, clear but bumpy canal side path was not helpful.
For the second walk running an ill-fated boat drew our attention.
It wasn't long before we were approaching Lancaster but before then TWO significant landmarks were to be passed.
First we arrived at what must surely be a historic construction, The first "NEW" canal bridge for possibly 200 years. It is taking the motorway extension from the M6 to Heysham.
Not long after we arrived at a somewhat different historic construction, the impressive aqueduct which carries the canal high over the Lune.
Over the aqueduct and down the steep staircase down to the river. No ! No ! No ! don't go that way - a couple of hundred yards further along a sloping path (with safety barriers) gave us a much more comfortable descent. Once down to river level a final rest before continuing on our last stretch to the cars.
By now the rain, although not heavy, was decidedly persistent . We sought shelter under the bridge where we finished off flasks and had a "Go" on Anthony's Marvellous Mechanical Machine (electric bike) MOST IMPRESSIVE !
And so to our final section . Almost home but not before negotiating the tricky underpass on the way to the Millennium Bridge. Some of us got off and walked through it. Back across the Millennium Bridge and along the quayside and there were the cars. A "Smashing Little" ride and one of which our friend Noel Coward would have approved.
Well Done Mike.
A few unused photos.
What now Gnome ?
Follow the Cat ?
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