Peter’s Lakes Run 10th August
Although there was drizzle in the air as the riders left their homes it had cleared up by 09:00 and at long last a fine day was forecast for Peter’s Lakes Run which had been postponed for a couple of years due to storms and road chaos. No such problems for this one as 4 riders met at Auction eats for an 09:45 run up to Slyne to meet Peter and 2 other riders for a 10:30 start.
Peter led us up the A6 to just short of Carnforth where we took Crag Bank Lane out to Keer Sands and on to Millhead which completely bypassed Carnforth. From here we rode through Warton village and up to Yealand Conyers and on to Beetham where we joined the A6 again riding through Milnthorpe to Levens and down the A590 to the Grange over Sands turn. At Lindale we turned right to get to Field Broughton, on through High Brow Edge and down to Backbarrow. Here we had a bit of a problem crossing the A590 to get to the Whitewater Hotel as the traffic was continuous but eventually we all made it across.
We then took a lot of small lanes up to the Stott Park Bobbin Mill where we turned north to Esthwaite Water to get to Hawkshead for a rest. In the car park next to us were a couple of 1930’s Riley cars and a Daimler coupe of a similar vintage. I think they had Dutch number plates.
From Hawkshead we rode up to Ambleside and stopped for our lunch at Waterhead. Although it was August, and good weather, Waterhead was not extremely busy and we had the pick of the benches overlooking the lake to sit on while we ate.
After a good rest we set off south and just after Low Wood bay Hotel we turned left towards Troutbeck and here we turned right to join the A592 South. We were split up here as there was a lot of traffic making it difficult to get across the road together. At the next left turn the usual happened and 2 riders carried straight on as the last rider hadn’t stopped, (no names!). After a mile or so we realised we were a couple short and thanks to mobile phones we were soon reunited and carried on down some pretty narrow lanes to Ings and then on to Brigsteer. From here it was a straight run back to Levens and the A6 down to Milnthorpe where we had a break in front of the church which was celebrating something, or just practising bell ringing. Aren’t church bells loud? From here we rode down to the Morecambe turn at Bare where 2 riders carried on home but the remainder ended up at Peter’s house where we sat in the sun and enjoyed coffee tea and lovely chocolate cake courtesy of Jane.
We were interested in Peter’s solar power system that he has created to be essentially “Off Grid” and a very professional job he has made of it. I could see years of experience at Heysham Power Station had been put to good use! After about and hour we headed off home with the encouragement that Lancaster would be quiet at this time of night. Well Lancaster might be quiet because they have dug up all the main roads and put temporary traffic lights everywhere so after what seemed an interminable crawl through the town I left the group at Dalton Square to go to Quernmore to visit family.
On the way home from Quernmore on the bay horse rod there were large groups of scooter and moped riders heading north and when I stopped at the Fleece Hotel at Dolphinholme a large group just drove across the main road without stopping. Obviously strangers to the area. The Fleece itself was crowded with more riders enjoying a meal and drinks. Further on I passed several more groups and wondered where the rally was and I soon found out. Just before Scorton a lone scooter rider was stopped on the verge so I pulled over to see if I could help him, it was a belt drive scooter and his belt had parted and although he had a spare belt he couldn’t replace it as his housing had been welded shut due to a previous breakdown. I asked if he had recovery service and he said he had called them so he would be OK I also asked where the rally was and he said there were 270 two strokes heading for a rally in Glasgow and that he was from Holland. I commiserated with him and wished him well before leaving. What a strange way to get to Glasgow from Holland!
Thanks to Peter for a lovely ride round the lakes on some roads that I bet not many outsiders have ever ridden!