Most of what follows is a simple 'cut and paste' from a Word document, and the layout has suffered in the process, for which I apologise, but reformatting properly would have taken a considerable amount of time.
CYCLEFEST FOLDER RIDE 3 AUGUST 2002
We want you to enjoy this ride, but common sense suggests that we provide some guidance (no doubt obvious to most of those likely to take part), and provide a route sheet, just in case anyone should become separated from the main group.
Warning 1
Cycling can be dangerous (so is walking, travelling by motor cycle, car, bus, train, boat and plane, and of course eating, drinking, breathing and living!) and participants take part in the ride entirely at their own risk. The organisers cannot be held responsible for anything befalling anyone during or on the way to or from this ride.
Warning 2
Note that as train travel is involved in this ride, use of a folding bicycle is essential. Participants are advised to take a cover, bag etc to ensure that the rules regarding carriage of folding cycles on trains without charge or restriction are complied with. The object of this ride is to enjoy ourselves, not provoke confrontations with rail, ferry or other people who are only trying to do their jobs. Please carry the normal spares which any sensible cyclist carries in order to be able to deal with any routine problems, such as punctures.
Safety
Please ride in a way which takes into consideration all other travellers of every kind - other cyclists, pedestrians, motorists, train and ferry passengers and staff etc.
Emergency
If there is a major emergency, the number to ring here in the UK for an ambulance, police or fire is 999. If you have a major problem which you think the ride planner may be able to help with (and he's not very good at this!), my mobile telephone number is 07919 204823.
Weather
I regret that I have no control over the weather. If the weather is good for cycling, then you may opt to do more cycling. If it is bad, then it might well be sensible to use train and ferry options where they are available. In the event of really dreadful weather, either stay in Lancaster, or we may have a shortened route available.
General information
The distance for this ride is between approximately 17Km and 50Km, depending on the amount of use made of trains, ferries etc. The 'compulsory' cycling section from Grange-over-Sands to Haverthwaite is a bit hilly, but lovely scenery, and you can always walk the up-hill sections if you want - we will wait at the top of any hills until everyone is present. I just managed to complete it (and the rest of the route), without walking using a Brompton SP on the recce. Apart from the optional final section from Windermere to Oxenholme,, the ride is almost entirely on minor roads (no off-road riding). The final section is a bit busier, especially through Kendal, but most participants will probably opt to use the train instead for this section. Obviously you can vary the route if you want to - the entire route is on Ordnance Survey Landranger map 97, or, in, more detail, OS Explorer map OL7. If you start the ride with the group, and opt to vary from the plan described here, it would be helpful if you would notify the ride leader or sweeper, so that we are not concerned that we have 'lost' any members of the group.
Meals
A stop for elevenses at Cartmel is scheduled, and a further break at the Haverthwaite Steam Railway will be shared by all. After that, refreshment stops depend on the route followed, but there are generally plenty of facilities on the route.
Stage 1 - Start
Meet at Lancaster railway station with a single ticket to Grange-over-Sands (you must purchase this yourself) to catch the 09:14 to Grange-over-Sands (final destination of train is Barrow-in Furness). To avoid overloading the booking office, it is suggested that we do not ride down to the station as a group, and participants should allow ample time for purchasing their tickets. [Anyone wishing to take follow the route of this ride, but wishing to start later, could catch the next train, which leaves Lancaster at 10:32, arriving at Grange -over-Sands at 10:57.]
The single train fare from Lancaster to Grange-over-Sands is £3.50.
Stage 2 - Train to Grange-over-Sands
Train journey to Grange-over-Sands
Stage 3 - Ride from Grange-over-Sands to Cartmel
Arrive at Grange-over-Sands at 09:38. Disembark train at Grange-over Sands, unfold bicycles. Proceed to exit tunnel at end of platform.
L out of station, L at mini-r'bout onto B5277.
0.5 Km R at mini-r'bout at top of hill, sign Cartmel
0.6Km Strt on at X rds, sign Cartmel. Up steep hill (feel free to walk!).
Regroup at top of hill by speed de-restriction sign.
2.2Km R at T jn
3.4Km Cartmel
3.7Km R, then L and R in Cartmel; follow signs to church, and stop for elevenses. Various tea shops etc.
Stage 4 - Ride from Cartmel to Haverthwaite
Regroup at priory church (St Mary & St Michael) at agreed time (11:15?).
From church, ride through Cartmel and past Racecourse.
Bear left after racecourse, sign Haverthwaite
6.7Km Beck Side - bear right (NOT left)
7.9Km Follow road round to L, sign Haverthwaite
8.7Km Steep hill - regroup at top (look out for buzzard!).
10.8Km Strt on towards Haverthwaite (NOT Newby Bridge on R)
Long steep descent - take care, especially pre-Mk 3 Bromptons!
12.2Km R at T, sign Alverston
12.4Km Next R before Haverthwaite, sign Newby Bridge
X roads with main road (A590), across (take care) to Lakeside & Haverthwaite Steam Railway. Refreshments.
Stage 4 - Haverthwaite to Lakeside - by steam train or cycle
Either:
Purchase ticket (single, £2.40 adult, £1.65 child 5-15) and
take 13:00 train to Lakeside.
Options
if preferred to take return trip, combine with ferry cruise and then
follow reverse return route back to Grange-over-Sands and Lancaster.
Or: Ride to Lakeside as follows:
L out of station onto A590
13.7Km Next L, sign Backbarrow
14.6Km L into Thinsthwaite Lane, before bridge
Under rwy bridge and continue to R
16.3Km R at small wooded triangle
17.2Km Over bridge over rwy, bear L
Pass Newby Bridge Halt
17.6Km Swan Hotel - L, sign Lakeside Hotel, back over rwy
Lakeside Hotel (R) etc - turn R at sign for railway, ferries etc.
Train arrives Lakeside 13:18
Riding at a moderate pace, and without stops, cyclists should arrive about the same time as the train if they leave at the same time
Stage 5 - Lakeside to Bowness - by ferry or cycle
Either: 13:35 Ferry to Bowness, arrive 14:15. Next Ferry is 14:40, arrive 15:20. Tickets £4.30 adult, £2.60 child 5-15. Additional charge of £1 for bicycles, folded or unfolded. If you wish to use the ferry, please contact me by booking office, as I have 'tokens' which mean you will not need to pay for bike. If you have any philosophical/political/religious objections to ferry company policy on cycles, please raise it with them at some other time.
Or: Ride up lake side to (take very) short alternative ferry to Bowness (40p pedestrians or cyclists, possible cheaper rate if group large enough). Route as follows:
R out of car park, sign Hawkshead
20.3Km Follow road R, sign Ferry
Strt on (not L) at first Graythwaite Hall Gdns sign
23.9Km R by main Graythwaite Hall Gdns, sign Ferry
24.4Km Steep down hill - care!
27.5Km Follow road to R, sign Windermere via Ferry
28.5Km R at small wooden sign on up hill, sign Ferry
28.7Km R at T jn on B5285
Steep descent - care
29.3Km Follow road R to Windermere via Ferry
29.Km Ferry - 40p for cyclists (same as pedestrians - so no need to fold).
5 min ferry trip to Bowness.
Stage 6 - Bowness to Lancaster - by train or cycle and train
Either: Ride to Windermere and train to Oxenholme and then Lancaster (some train services are direct, some require a change at Oxenholme - see below)
L from Bowness towards Windermere on A592
R A 5074 to Windermere
T jn A591, R to station
Total distance from ferry approx 4Km
Or: I'm sorry this is less detailed, but although I recce'd it I had some problems, especially around Kendal, and what follows is partly theory and partly want happened on the recce!
T jn, L on A 591 towards Bowness and Windermere
Into Bowness; on uphill, after Victoria wine & before United Colours of Benetton (on R), turn R
Follow signs to B5284
L sign Crook & Kendal on B5284
Dreadful road surface approaching Crook (top surface damage) - suspension test!
R'ish at jn A 591 (round 'island') on A5284 to Kendal
Road signs in Kendal are not very helpful. Objective is to follow this road through Kendal, generally towards Lancaster, and pick up first the A65 and then the B6254 to Oxenholme.
Once on the B6254 to Oxenholme(!), follow this until reach station.
Train from Oxenholme to Lancaster.
Note that trains on this route tend to be VERY full!
Return train journey
| Windermere (dep) | 14:07 | 15:10 | 16:14 | 17:14 | 18:10 | ||
| Oxenholme (arr) | 15:30 | 17:34 | 18:30 | ||||
| Oxenholme (dep) | 14:25 | 15:40 | 16:32 | 16:48 | 17:42 | 18:06 | 19:17 |
| Lancaster (arr) | 14:41 | 15:55 | 16:49 | 17:03 | 17:57 | 18:21 | 19:32 |
| D | D |
(D = Direct train, final destination Manchester Airport)
The single train fare from Windermere to Lancaster is £7.80
The single train fare from Oxenholme to Lancaster is £6.05
Times and fares of trains, ferries etc are given in good faith, but please check before committing yourself.
E & O E
Copyright ©2002 Ferrets Anonymous
Last updated: 27 July 2002
URL: http://www.foldsoc.co.uk/cf2002route.html