I woke up this morning to complete quiet, the winds and rain that had dominated the last week had receded. An opportunity for a bike ride was offered and had to be taken. I headed out to Kentmere. The route was chosen as it would give me my 100 kilometre for the month ride but also was not as hilly as many that I do of that distance. I headed north towards Milnthorpe where I encountered the local CTC and exchanged some conversation with one of them. They seem to be making good progress but our paths diverged on the way to Kendal. Against my better judgement, I took the cycle path through the town and as I feared it was full of people exercising dogs and there are still works going on to create flood defences. After Kendal I passed the villages of Berniside and into Staveley where I gathered supplies from a new deli that has opened and picked up the route to Kentmere. It’s an absolutely gorgeous valley with the meadows looking wonderful at this time of year. I noted a large campsite which turned out to be some gravel event organised by AlpKit. When I reached Kentmere, I found a spot outside the church and ate my lunch. I was joined by a sporty looking cyclist who turned out to be an ex pro who had ridden for Trek alongside riders like Ben Swift, I didn’t offer to keep him company on the way back. After lunch I retraced my steps to Staveley and then over the hills into the Lyth Valley before another stop for a cup of tea at Levens shop. I was quite tired by this point and the nagging headwind didn’t really help, but it was just wonderful to ride through the Silverdale AONB on the way home. Overall 108 km with 1200 m of climbing.
Pictures are of the river Kent, the view toward Kentmere village and view looking back down the valley across the medows.
Pictures are of the river Kent, the view toward Kentmere village and view looking back down the valley across the medows.
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