A 55km cycle loop aimed to coincide with Graeme and Sarah at the Hare and Hounds, Levens, on Froggie’s birthday.
Route: from home along Valley Drive and Burneside Road to Burneside, turning left after the tennis courts on a very steep lane to cross the A591 onto Ratherheath Lane to reach the B5284 and along that to the Sun at Crook for a half. Then continuing along to turn left by the church and follow the valley down turning right to descend steeply and then ascend very steeply past Gilpin Mill to join the A5074 and follow that to Blackwell for a cream tea on the terrace. Retracing steps to Winster to turn right and follow a pleasant undulating road to Bowland Bridge and crossing the valley to Pool Bank and Witherslack Hall to reach the Derby Arms for a half. Then along the cycle route to Levens to meet Graeme and Sarah for a pint and a nibble of pizza. Home via Sizergh Fell, Natland and the British Raj, Kendal, to pick up a take-away.
Conditions: a hot sunny day.
Pubs: the Sun, Crook, for Tirril Windermere IPA; the Derby Arms, Witherslack, for Beer Monkey Bitter Revival and Cross Bay New World Ale Vesper; the Hare and Hounds, Levens, for Barngates Cracker.
