If yesterday was spectacular, today was fun. Lots of speedy riding along up-down twisty roads, multiple pit stops for coffee, vegan cake, hot chocolate with marshmallows, Kendall mint cake and a couple of beers back in the Boot Inn. Not forgetting a train ride ‘home’ from Ravenglass. I was following another of Jack Thurston’s Lost Lanes North routes – number 3 – ‘Mountains High’ – but the title is somewhat deceptive. There was less than half as much climbing as yesterday’s jaunt south then north and nothing like the 30% incline of the Hard Knott Pass.
The day was, however, bookended by cold. I was expecting sunshine at some point but it didn’t appear until mid-afternoon, by which point I was sitting on the mini train. Frozen fingers at the start, frozen fingers on the train. Mercifully the fast sections of riding (as well as the coffee and hot chocolate) warmed me up during the cycle itself.
There was an interesting contrast as I approached the coast. Seascale – just south of Sellafield – it’s a run down, drab affair. It is rescued somewhat by Ravenglass, an elongated coastal affair which is home to a mainline railway station as well as the adjacent former slate-carrying minature railway.
Home tomorrow but should I pause en route for a third day of cycling? I’ll see how I feel in the morning.
The Strava route is here.
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Enjoying your trip I have that book
Yes, it’s a good book. I’ve now done four of the rides. All are recommended!