It was only when I checked the map later that I noticed that the unfenced section of the road closest to the M6 was marked as "Roman Road". Shortly after we had joined the A685 we turned left before the bridge over the M6, an undulating road with lovely views took us to Bridge End and the the right turn to go over the M6, soon we were descending into Orton for a café stop.
After Orton, and on to the open moor to Sunbiggin Tarn, and a mile later the sharp right turn to bring us down to Newbiggin-on-Lune and then Ravenstondale, and a brief stop near the King's Head for lunch, most of us eating outside, quite bracing. Through Ravenstonedale to the A683 junction at the Fat Lamb and at this point we split into two equal groups, of six each. One group took the more direct route back to Sedbergh, via the A683. The other group went north towards Kirby Stephen on the A683 for about a mile before tuning right onto the minor road across Wharton Fell to drop down into the Mallerstang Valley.
Pendragon Castle, or rather the ruins, stand at the junction with the B6259 , according to legend, the Castle is the site where Uther Pendragon, father of King Arthur, died. The undulating ride down the B6259 took us past the Moorcock Inn and we joined the A684 at Garsdale Head to make our return to Sedbergh, against a slight niggling headwind. We all luckily got back to our vehicles just before a slight hail shower, as the weather started to deteriorate.
The longer route was about 45 miles.
The next ride starts at Ferry Nab, Windermere on Saturday 15th March at 10.00 prompt, the ride is via Cunsey, Spark Bridge, Brantwood, Coniston, Yewdale and Hawkeshead to then return on the ferry, approx 36 miles. Ring Neil 015394-42586 for further details.
