Family Cycle Rides

The following articles appeared in the Lancaster Guardian between January - March 2008.
So if you need some inspiration then look no further.
 

The Kennedy Family: Green Ayre to Crook O Lune

The Kennedy FamilyWe love the cycle tracks in Lancaster and Morecambe; they are relatively flat, accessible, and smooth. As a family we spend quality time together, enjoying the outdoors, exercising, and appreciating the area and wildlife.

Cycling has given the children greater confidence and they particularly enjoy greeting people on the cycle route and ringing their bells to alert people of their presence. They love the speed and freedom they have on their bikes, and as parents we can allow them to enjoy themselves in the knowledge that they are safe.
 
They are always mindful of pedestrians, and animals, and we are close by to offer support, and encouragement.

The skate park at Green Ayre is the start point for one of our favourite rides.

  • From the former train station and coal yard we head towards and under Skerton Bridge.
  • This part of the track runs alongside Caton Road and takes you under the Lune Aqueduct.
  • Halton Training Camp can be seen to the left, and we can often spot recruits training.  We continue along the track, looking out for rabbits, bird life and ducks.
  • The cycletrack takes you past what was Halton train station and along the River Lune Millennium Park.
  • There are a number of benches on this part of the route ideal for a rest, a drink and where we can enjoy watching canoeists using their skills in some white water.
  • After this we go under a small tunnel with a sculptured heron above, and the path goes down hill approximately 200m. The children need supervising closely on this part and encouragement to use their brakes!   
  • At the next bridge we dismount and push the bikes up the path on the left to the Crook O’ Lune picnic area. The view is superb from here with green fields, live stock and woodland. The wind turbines can also be seen on Caton Moor.
This is a really enjoyable ride, it takes us less then two hours round trip, excluding breaks, and there are plenty of things to see along the route which are of interest to all the family.
  
 

Tom and Matty Phillips go to Leighton Moss

The Phillips FamilyMy family cycle mainly for leisure although I did used to race when I was younger. Most of our riding is done on the tandem which is a great way of cycling with your children as you can tackle some quite ambitious rides. 
 
Last summer we cycled from Lancaster to Carlisle (overnight!) and also to Tan Hill (highest inn in England - 1732 ft. above sea level) in the Yorkshire Dales on a two day ride. We aim to do a 100 mile plus ride this year (2008) to raise money for charity.
 
Here's one of our favourite local rides which takes us from Lancaster to Leighton Moss.  The offer of free access to the RSPB reserve at Leighton Moss near Silverdale plus 10% off in the café is a good incentive to all cyclists to make a visit. (This offer also applies to those travelling by train).
 
Living close to the canal in Lancaster, our favourite outward route is along the Lancaster Canal and over the impressive aqueduct. From this point we turn onto the Skerton to Halton Road and then head along the lanes to Nether Kellet. These lanes give great views over Morecambe Bay and Silverdale before dropping down to Bolton-Le-Sands. 
 
From there you can either take the lanes and tracks or the canal again as far as Crag Bank where a short cut and linking bridge takes you direct to Warton.  From Warton, a couple of kms on the flat roads to complete the outward leg takes you to Leighton Moss.
 
You can easily spend a couple of hours wandering around the reserve.  Don’t forget to take some binoculars. Last time we were there we came across the tame resident robin that will actually feed out of your hands!  
 
We normally return all the way along the canal.  This route back is particularly great at dusk and of course flat! The new links from the canal allow easy access to many parts of Lancaster so check it out.   The ride to Leighton Moss takes us about 1 hour on a tandem and is approximately 12 miles each way.
 
 

The Saul Family from Hala to the University & Galgate

The Saul FamilyDavid (dad),  Beatrice (mum), Gregoire (age 10),  twins - Josephine and Louise (age 12)
 
This route makes a good two or three hour outing during a weekend. Using the university cycle track and small roads it provides worry free cycling with children.  With various distractions on the university campus, and a good variety of refreshment stops in Galgate, we find that the troops never complain when we suggest this route.
 
Starting on Hala, we head along Abbeystead Drive to the start of the track at Burrow Beck.
Look out for rabbits, squirrels and frogs en route to Bailrigg Lane. The short stretch of lane  has a couple of blind bends so kids need to keep to the left until you reach the cattle grid.
 
Arriving at the university the first optional detour is to freewheel down the hill (no cars) to the duck pond. If we have brought stale bread then we like to feed the ducks at the earliest opportunity, otherwise Gregoire will eat it all!
 
A couple of hundred yards to the right, on top of the small hill is ‘Big Tree’ which, according to Louise, is one of the best climbing trees in the area, for adults too.
 
Back at the top we usually go clockwise around the university perimeter  road  -  it’s quiet at weekends and the roundabout by the underpass can now be negotiated using the pavement. In the autumn there are a few conker trees to be found here too.  At the far end of the campus, behind Pendle College is a nice children’s playground which can be a good incentive for the return journey.
 
The left turn towards Galgate is signed ‘No Entry Except Cyclists’ – here we leave the academic sprawl for the metropolis of Galgate. This hill is good for kids to whizz down.  A barrier at the bottom stops them flying across the road but they need to be careful. The road from here into Galgate is windy and but traffic is not a problem.
 
Arriving at Galgate Mill is the first opportunity for a carbohydrate boost. The Silk Mill Café is great for no nonsense drinks and lunch. It also has an interesting history and it is worth looking at the wall displays (sadly it is temporarily closed at the time of writing). Galgate Mill also boasts a cheap car wash which you may bear in mind for cleaning bikes and children on the way home.
Chapel Street in Galgate is now two directions for bikes, allowing cyclists to avoid the busy A6 and cut through to the Spar shop where those on a tighter refreshment budget might stock up.
 
We then walk along the pavement on the A6 (the children need watching here), under the railway bridge and then cross opposite The Plough. Here we face the dilemma of tea in the Canalside Café or a pint of something more interesting next door. Usually outvoted, for Dad this can be the cruelest decision of the outing.
 
The canal towpath at Galgate offers plenty of boats to look at. Cyclists can return to Lancaster along the towpath but we opt for returning via the university.
 
A simple excursion, safe, with a few ups and downs and plenty to see - the children always comment on how the university is bigger than last time.
 
 

The Pearsons go to Glasson Dock 

The PearsonsWe really enjoy being able to cycle straight from the house into lovely countryside.  As we live near the cycle track it is easy to slip down the canal tow path, through Aldcliffe Village and join up with the cycle track by the estuary.  We could go either way once on the track, out to the Crook of Lune, or down to Glasson Dock.  We mostly race down the track towards Glasson Dock. 
 
This is a lovely ride and not too strenuous to do on a summers evening.  We take the binoculars and often see Heron.  They also give us an excuse to stop at the bird watchers lookout posts and scan the water for swans and wading birds. 
 
In early autumn the banks of the cycle track are a great place to go ‘blackberrying’, but tricky to carry back on the bike!  If we fancy a refreshment detour, the Stork at Conder Green has a great adventure play area in the garden and the beer isn’t too bad either!  However, what we really enjoy is a hot chocolate or an ice cream from the caravan at Glasson Dock.  The only downside of this ride is that when cycling with children you are not able to do circular route as the road back is too dangerous. 
 
If you fancy a circular route then one of our favourites is the ride to the Lune.  We head out down the cycle track towards town, taking a detour to stop off at ‘The Fantastic Park’ on Fairfield, so called because it is FANTASTIC!  We cycle down the quay and over the Millennium Bridge behind Sainsburys.  Heading on past the Skate Park - which is always good for a few minutes entertainment - and cycle alongside the Lune. 
 
In Autumn it is an experience to go to the weir and watch the salmon leaping up it on their seasonal journey up the river.  Sometimes we go all the way to the Crook and visit the caravan in the car park for a drink.  Though often we stop at the aqueduct and carry our bikes up the steps and cycle back along the tow path, which has recently been tarmaced.  This takes us almost back to our front door.
 
 

Mills’ Family Favourite Bike Ride

The Mills familyAbi Mills (mum,) Rosie Mills - 7, Hamish Mills - 5 Nancy Mills - 4
 
Our favourite bike ride is from Greaves, Lancaster (where we live) to Glasson Dock via the Lune Estuary path. To get to the path safely we ride through Haverbreaks, which is lovely for the kids to cycle on, as it’s quiet.
 
On meeting Lancaster Canal via the hump backed bridge onto Aldcliffe Road, we turn left and where the road leaves the canal, go up the hill to Aldcliffe (usually have to get off and push up this bit, as kids are not too keen on steep hills yet!) We make our way down to the cycle track, joining it at the Lune Estuary.  We get our youngest kid out of the trailer and unstrap her bike (attached to the trailer).
 
The beauty of this ride is that it is flat for a big chunk of the way and takes us alongside the Lune Estuary which is a haven for a wide range of birds.  Heading towards Glasson we stop to for a while to watch the antics of our feathered friends and look at the boats.
 
At Conder Green we usually stop for snacks and the toilet before heading on to the dock where our children enjoy some time on the play park and looking at the different types of boats moored there.  The ice cream is scrummy too! 
There are many interesting view points during this ride and what is missed on the way there can be enjoyed on the way back with snacks.  Arriving back at Aldcliffe, we have one last good look at the estuary before popping the youngest back in the trailer for the journey home on the road.
 
We all really enjoy this, and the more confident the kids are on their bikes, the more we can point out for them to look at.  Plants, flowers and wildlife can be found in abundance along the way. 
 
We have even done this ride with Grandma Ellie, borrowing a friend’s bike for her to use. She was delighted to see her three grandchildren so obviously enjoying getting out in the fresh air and enjoying a pastime she loves too!
 
 

The Shipton Family

The ShiptonsPaul (Dad), Kate (Mum), Cal (boy aged 10), Stella (girl aged 7), Tyler (boy aged 5), Jem (boy aged 2.5)
 
We are an avid biking family of six.  Both my wife and I drive but will purposefully choose  our bikes – it’s quicker, as well as healthier -  for us, the pollution and our pockets!
 
Our three eldest children aged five, seven and 10 cycle to school every day, whatever the weather. I ride responsibly two abreast with my five year old.  We all wear high-visibility vests and have lights front and rear of the convoy.
 
We also enjoy cycling as a family and dependant on which route we take, we have a child seat and a double/twin trailer (for the tinies).  This means we can go further and carry more food and clothing etc.
 
Here's just one of our favourite rides which takes up a whole afternoon depending on (pub) breaks!:
  • Start in Hala.  Ride or push up Hala Hill. Turn right over the M6 bridge, past the animal sanctuary and reservoir (on right) towards Littledale.
  • At the first cross roads turn left keeping to the high ground and head toward Quernmore.
  • Turn right at the very next crossroads past a farm that keeps goats and foals.  Descending through hairpins and over the River Conder you then link up with the Lancashire Cycleway cross roads at the bottom of the hill. 
  • Turn left to Caton, through Quernmore crossroads (straight on) and keep going.  Stick to the main road (back over River Conder), straight across and through the next cross roads towards Knots Wood.  Look out for the raptors – Buzzards or  Harriers?
  • Here you turn right descending all the way to Caton.
  • At the T junction turn right into the village.  Here you can stop at the Co-op for some refreshments (saves having to carry them!).  Have a mini break if you wish or find link to cycle path, behind Post Office and Co-op, down Station Road. 
  • Turn left back towards Lancaster on the cycle track but stop at the Crook O'Lune for the best place for a picnic. Veering left just before the bridges, you’ll find bike access down to the river and a cracking fresh water beach/duck feeding spot for a big break/picnic.
  • Back on the track, towards Lancaster, we pass over the old iron railway bridge, then through a small tunnel – look out for the heron.  Carry on at your own pace but remember to warn pedestrians and dog walkers that you are coming – especially with kids.  A good old fashioned bell is a brilliant way to keep the little racers going! Carry on past the abandoned station towards Halton - look out for Salmon jumping on the rapids and the water sports taking place past the Army Training Camp.
  • Keep riding all the way to the Lune Aqueduct, whereupon Dad and Mum will at this point get all the kit up the steps to join the Canal towpath.
  • Turn right towards town and cycle with caution for traffic is two way and the children will have to keep away from the canal edge!  Follow the canal tow-path into and through the city, over the road at White Cross and continue past the White Cross pub towards the Water Witch pub (both great for a school holiday weekday stop off!). 
  • At the old stone Aldcliffe bridge get back onto the towpath (walk as it is steep here) and continue on the canal towpath out past the old iron bridge towards newly built Hala cycle path extension.  Turn left at the road junction (back towards the city) and then turn first right signposted cycles and buses only past the to the A6 traffic lights junction on Scotforth Road.  Ride across the road and head for home and an early bath/bed time guaranteed for the kids.