Day 01 – Blackpool to Arnside

Blackpool was starting to wake up (it had had a late night) as I made my way to the Tower in the blustering sunshine to to start the day’s riding.

I had to get going quickly, I had a date with a ferry at 9.45 and it was quarter past nine already. Nine flat miles in half an hour. It should be doable. Should be. The headwind had other ideas. Bright skies, lovely views, people on the promenade buttoned up like it was a February morning. It was hard work pushing into the wind. That changed at Rossall Point. Cycling east I was pushed along and I knew I’d make the ferry. The 10.15 ferry, admittedly.

The plan was to hop across the mouh of the Wyre to meet my mate Phil on the other side. It would have been an eight-minute crossing. The sign announced the first crossing would be at 13.45.

I called Phil to say I’d be late and shot off down the A585 cycle path and through Thornton to cross the river and head back up to Knott End.  I celebrated with my first cake of the trip.

It was gone 11 when we set off together. This part of the country is pancake flat. The wind was with us and we chatted as we rode flying through the Lancashire countryside. A little traffic, but otherwise glorious.

We rolled past Pilling and Cockerham Marsh, up to Glasson Dock where we stopped for coffee (and flapjack). Then onto the Millennium Cycle Way, a great surface winding along the shore all the way into Lancaster. Over the footbridge, and then picked up the dedicated cycle route out to Morecambe.

Morecambe was buzzing. People enjoying the seafront sunshine on a bank holiday weekend. We found a spot for a late lunch and sat chatting in the sunshine. It felt good riding with Phil easy company and easy pace. It was great to have a guide to follow or shout directions.

We split up at Morcambe. Phil to head home, me to continue north around the bay. The Morecambe promenade was a joy and over to soon. Up to Carnforth and onto Route 700, the Silverdale Cycleway. The cycleway meanders gently through nature reserves and woods, The open countryside around Silverdale was a perfect picture of stone walls and large parkland trees. These were my only hills of the day. Two to mention and then only 100ft or so. The second from the shore up past Arnside Tower and it was downhill to Arnside, where I’m staying tonight.

64 miles. 1279ft gained