Cycle circuit of the Lyth Valley

A cycle ride and pub crawl on an amazingly sunny spring day.

Route: to Natland, Sizergh and the road to Levens continuing along the W2W route to the Derby Arms. Then on the higher level minor road from Witherslack to Crosthwaite and on to the Punch Bowl at Underbarrow. Then to Crook and initially along the road towards Ings before turning right to climb to a summit and then descend a gated road to Staveley and the Hawkshead Brewery. Back along the higher level 'back' road to Burneside and home through Kendal.

Conditions: blissfully sunny and warm.

Pubs: The Derby Arms, Witherslack, for Stringers The North Will Rise Again. The Punch Bowl at Underbarrow for Cumberland Corby Blonde. Hawkshead Brewery (beer festival), Staveley, for Hawkshead USPA and Black Isle Goldeneye.

Skiddaw via Ullock Pike

A fine high-level horseshoe route.

Route: Leaving the car in the centre of Bassenthwaite, taking paths across fields to join, briefly, the Orthwaite Road and hence to the start of a bridleway onto the fell side. Leaving the gently rising wide path for an undulating trod along the summit of the Watches and thus up to the top of Ullock Pike. Along the ridge keeping close to the edge of Southerndale and via the sloping scree path onto the top of Skiddaw. Down the fence to Bakestall and then Birkett Edge to join the Cumbria Way at Dash Falls and then back across very wet and muddy fields to Bassenthwaite.

Conditions: Initially warm and sunny but, on the top, a bitterly cold day. Lots of blue sky and clear views to Criffel and Snaefell.

Pub: The Sun Inn at Bassenthwaite for Jennings Cocker Hoop (before and after!).

Cunswick Scar and Scout Scar 10km run

A 10km run with Steve M.

Route: Leaving the car at the Riflemans, along Serpentine Road and Queen's Road to the Tramway and then, via the quarry, to cross the golf course and along to the Cunswick Scar cairn. Then back along the ridge, past the car park to the Mushroom. Then to the trig point and a left turn just short of the gate in the corner, down and back along the 'trippy path' to the race course and back down Brigsteer Road to the car.

Conditions: Cloudy and some light drizzle

 Pub: The Riflemans for Abbot and Batemans XXXB.

Steel Fell via Wythburn Dale

A post-flu short walk, the first of the season, after six weeks of rain and heavy skies.

Route: From the Steel End water authority car park at the southern end of Thirlmere, taking the path on the north side of the Wythburn (marshy but frozen) picking a way between areas of frozen surface water, to cross a footbridge to the southern side thence slowly gaining altitude to reach the remains of Wythburn Tarn (pictured). Thence, cutting up to the left uphill, pathless, to reach the summit ridge near two frozern tarns. Along the southern edge of the ridge to the summit of Steel Fell and very steeply down the north east ridge, back to the car park.

Conditions: Bitterly cold and windy in the valley and cold with occasional sun on the top.

Pub: The Traveller’s Rest for Jennings Sneck Lifter.

The Elterwater Waterfall Walk plus Lingmoor Fell

A walk with Angie and Al, Jake and Veronika while staying at the cottage.

Route: From the Elterwater car park, the Cumbria Way path to Skelwith Force and over the new footbridge. Back along woodland footpaths to Colwith Force and then on to Little Langdale taking Jam Street to the Three Shires pub. Leaving the others to carry on directly, the zig-zag path up the side of Lingmoor Fell and along to the summit. Then retracing the route until the northwards path back down to the quarry and then back to the start.

Conditions: Drizzle and low cloud but surprisingly warm. Rain on Lingmoor Fell.

Pub: The Three Shires for Ennerdale Black Sail Bitter and Hawkshead Red (and The Outgate for Robinsons Dizzy Blonde on the drive back!)

Bridport to Exeter via Axminster and Sidmouth

The fourth day of a south coast cycle trip with Ian Lyne and Steve Mitchell.

Route: From Bridport along rolling roads before a long steep ascent and descent to Axminster for coffee (running late: 15 miles in 2 hrs 15 mins), then a hasty route change to cycle to Colyton and a long but less steep ascent before dropping steeply down to Sidmouth for lunch. Then a fiendish ascent and descent to Buddleigh Salterton. Finally a smooth ex-railway line cycle path followed by the brand new Exe Estuary cycle path to Exeter.

Conditions: Heavy rain over breakfast followed by a few showers and sunny spells.

Pubs: The Swan Inn, Sidmouth, for Bath Ales Summer’s Hare and arriving at the Great Western for Dartmoor Jail Ale, RCH PG Steam Bitter and Dartmoor Summer Gold.

Ringwood to Bridport via Blandford Forum and Piddletrenthide

The third day of a south coast cycle trip with Ian Lyne and Steve Mitchell.

Route: From Ringwood along winding roads to Blandford Forum for coffee and then Piddletrenthide for lunch. Then over three steep but short hills passing Cerne Abbas (and the Giant’s viewpoint) to Maiden Newton for tea (delicious fruitcake in a teashop in the back of the newsagent) and then a single steep climb up Eggardon Hill and long descent to West Bay for a quick beer, stroll onto Chesil Beach and then back to Bridport.

Conditions: A sunny morning becoming cloudier as the day proceeded.

Pubs: The Piddle Inn, Piddletrenthide, for Dorset Piddle Piddle and the Bridport Hotel, West Bay, for Palmers IPA and Golden Best before staying at the (GBG) Tiger Inn, Bridport.