A 14km cycle ride, the first of 2026, and potentially a dry run for more ambitious routes in the spring.Route: from 1-2 Midtown cycling past the shop to turn left at the mid-Lorton crossroads to take the Hopebeck Road, climbing slowly and then descending to rejoin the recently resurfaced main road to climb to Scale Hill and descend past the Lanthwaite Wood car park. At the next crossroads, turning left to take the minor road (a rather less good road surface) bending road to reach the pub.
After a pint, along the Thackthwaite road home.
Conditions: sunny and warm for March at 10C. Warm enough – just – to sit outside the pub to begin with.
Pub: the Kirkstile Inn for Cumbrian Ales American Invasion IPA.
