Date & Time: Sunday 23rd June, 8:15am for 8:30am start

Distance: Approx. 50 miles

Meeting point: Old Rd, Staveley in Carmel, turn right off A590 then immediately right onto cycle route (Grid Ref.: 338355,484970), see red circle on map below:

We’re organising a Strada Bianche themed club run in the South Lakes which will be a road ride including 8 ‘sectors’ of strada bianche (white gravel roads) (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Strade_Bianche).  The roads we’ll use won’t all be white like the Italian versions (especially if it rains) and they may be a bit rougher in parts so winter bikes (or cross bikes) and SPD cleats or flat pedals with toe straps will be required (in case you need to walk).  A minimum of strong winter tyres will also be needed. There will be an option to miss out the off-road sectors too for those able to navigate with two points to re-group / have a cafe stop, at Grizedale and Cartmel.  Given the Lune’s reputation for chaotic rides with the group splitting up and people getting lost please organise and agree to ride with at least one companion for the duration of the ride just in case of accidents and mechanicals and to make sure that nobody is left on their own. Two groups of different speeds might be preferable with re-grouping at points along the route.

The route is available here:

Please make sure you have a map of the route or you have a Garmin to navigate.

The ride will be weather dependent, as it won’t be enjoyable if it’s wet and cold:

We’ll confirm on Friday 21st if the ride will be running.

If you need any further info. email trevandleanne@yahoo.co.uk

Summary of requirements: winter/cross bike with strong winter types; spd/flat pedals; agreed riding companion(s); familiarity with the route or GPS!

Leanne & Trev

This is one of the most historic races in the region, but in order for it to run smoothly, and safely, we require volunteers to help marshall the event.

The club would appreciate it if any of its members, who are not participating in the race, could help by volunteering their time on Sunday morning.

Marshalls are asked to arrive at Aughton Village Hall by 9am.

There is no official club ride this Sunday.

Lune riders have managed to raise around £400 to help local twin girls to walk.

On Sunday, May 19, a group of 24 riders participated in the Lune Racing Cycling Club’s annual Edgar Ride – which is held in memory of the club’s long-serving late secretary, Edgar Philips.

Of those riders, 11 completed the full 130 miles, which involved riding from Dalton Square in Lancaster, to Buttermere and back. The ride took in leg-breaking climbs of Dunmail Raise, Whinlatter Pass and the fearsomely-steep Honister Pass.

The route replicates the first ride completed by Lune riders when the club was established in 1949.

This year club members decided to use the event to raise money for a local cause – the Twins Appeal.  Although the 16-year-old girls – Katie and Emma Sutcliffe – have raised enough for their operation, they still need funds to pay for additional care and treatment.

A brief description of the ride follows:

Lune members turned up in force at Dalton Square at the frighteningly early (especially

Ice-cream fuelled rider tackles Honister

The groupetto in Keswick

130-miles completed

for a Sunday) time of 7.30am. After much chatter, and an early mechanical, the bunch set off to Ambleside and covered the early miles at a decent speed. The group was met at the arranged café stop by riders who chose to do the shorter Ambleside-Ambleside distance, and (mechanical fixed) riders chasing on from Lancaster.

After fuelling up on the traditional cycling fodder of coffee and cake – it is seemingly never too early for cake! – the group headed north, passing Grasmere and starting the first proper climb of the day – Dunmail Raise.

This long drag saw the group fragment and, as riders turned left onto the quieter Thirlmere lane, there was some confusion (also a club tradition) and two riders were lost. After a bit of waiting the group continued its journey north, dropping speedily into Keswick and riding on to begin the ascent of Whinlatter Pass.

Whinlatter saw the worst spell of weather on an otherwise fine day, with a light spot of mist and drizzle. At the top riders waited for the arrival of ride orgniser Ian Breslin, who appeared out of the mist clutching an ice cream cone, served from the van parked part-way up the climb. Not an item usually found in cyclists’ musettes but it seemed to do the trick for Ian.

Riders proceeded to ride up the scenic Buttermere valley to reach the foot of the intimidating Honister Pass. Riders were soon stretched out along the pass’ steep ramps but everyone had their good climbing legs on and made it to the rendezvous at the slate mine.

A fast ride up Borrowdale was followed by a hearty lunch at Booths in Keswick and then the return journey. The highlights of which were the scenic ride back past Thirlmere and the cracking descent of Dunmail Raise to Grasmere, which saw riders hitting speeds around 50mph.

The full 130-mile Edgar riders reached Dalton Square in the early evening for a celebratory photo with everyone sore but happy. And not a single puncture among us!

Hopefully this will give you a couple of weeks’ notice to get your legs in some sort of shape for taking on the 130-mile ride up to Buttermere and back.

A shorter option, starting and finishing in Ambleside, is also available.

It is hoped the ride will help to raise funds towards future medical treatment to help local twin girls Emma and Katie Sutcliffe, 16, to be able to walk.

Please see the previous post for more details.

This year’s annual Edgar Ride is to be used to help raise money for two local 16-year-old twin sisters who would like to travel to America for treatment to enable them to walk.

Although the girls – Katie and Emma Sutcliffe – have raised enough for their operation, they still need funds to pay for additional care and treatment.

Riders from Lune RCC will be setting off from Dalton Square at 7.30am on Sunday, 19 May, to take on the club’s traditional Edgar Ride, which replicates the first ever club run in 1949 in is run in memory of the club’s long-standing late President Edgar Philips.

A 130-mile beast that cuts through the heart of the Lakes, taking in the Lyth Valley, Ambleside, Dunmail Raise, Keswick, Whinlatter Pass, Buttermere, Honister Pass, Keswick and returning back via Dunmail Raise.

All riders are welcome to take part. Those who do not wish to take in the full distance can join the ride at Ambleside where the group will be stopping for refreshments at the cafe in Rydal Road at 10am. The ride is self-supported and there will be an additional cafe stop in the north Lakes.

Riders are encouraged to make a suggested donation of £5 (or more) towards the twins appeal, or undertake separate fund-raising. There is a link to a sponsor form at the top of this page.

Here is a link to the girls’ Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/thetwinsappeal

Leaving the bus stop at the end of the Coastal Road by the traffic lights at the A6 at 6pm, the group rides Through Nether Kellet and passes the Red Well on the way to Kirkby Lonsdale. Then returning along the Lune Valley to Caton via Melling and Hornby.

Lights are advisable for the first couple of weeks.

When the evenings provide more light the leaving time will shift to 6.15pm.

Chaingangs are an excellent way of building experience at riding in groups and at a higher pace.

Please get your entries in asap as the deadline is looming.

More details about this 3rd and 4th cat race, which takes place on April 7, can be found here:

https://www.britishcycling.org.uk/events/details/87655/Aughton-Road-Race