A long-feeling, 86km, third day of the 2016 Ring o’ Roses cycle trip with Ian and Steve.
Route: taking small roads from Shap to Bampton Grange and by gated roads to Whale and Askham and thence to Yanwath and Penrith. Taking the B5288 to Greystoke for coffee at the Cycle Café. Then in gathering clouds along the route of the 71 grazing the A66 on older roads to north and south before taking the roadside cycle path to Threlkeld for beer outside the Horse and Farrier. Then taking the B5322 through the St John’s in the Vale, then along the west side of Thirlmere and then on the closed temporary road up Dunmail Raise having to lift the bikes over a locked gate. A speedy descent in increasingly heavy rain for tea in Grasmere. In continuing rain, spurning Red Bank and following the main road, then the Under Loughrigg Road to Skelwith Bridge and then to the Waterhead Hotel, Coniston.
Conditions: initially still, grey and cloudy. Later constant heavy rain lasting all night.Pub: the Horse and Farriers, Threlkeld for Jennings Sneck Lifter and EPA. The Black Bull, Coniston for Infinity IPA, Oliver's Light Ale, Old Man and XB.
