Retrobike Touring.

I was well overdue a short bike camping trip, the last time being 2018. A lot has happened since then, namely 2 children, but I’ve been gradually gathering better kit since my first foray, and was itching to try it all out. This time I hoped to do 2 x nights to give me a better feeling of nomadicity, however (spoiler alert), I was rained off on day 2. I suppose I should have expected that having entered Cumbria.

Like many on here, I had a choice of bikes to take. I really wanted to take my newest project, a Dawes “One down”, which is like a 26” expedition jobby. Alas, it’s a bit small for me, and I didn’t have a long enough stem (at the time) to increase the reach as required.

The most logical choice of bike would have been the 700c bona fide touring bike I now use to commute. However the route I planned on taking wouldn’t have been kind to the skinny 32c tyres, and the toe overlap isn’t pleasant on bridleways.

So, it was my trusty old Cannondale M400 to the rescue.

My route was Clitheroe to Warton (near Carnforth) via the infamous (?) Hornby track, straight through the Bowland Fells. I then took some wrong turns and ended up riding all the way to Morecambe, then up the coast to my camping destination.

Next day, after packing up, I headed into Silverdale and through to Arnside. However, the rain was thick and showed no sign of clearing. So, after a couple of pints and waiting around, I just got the train back from Arnside to Bolton.

Despite not being exactly as planned, I really enjoyed it.

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Joe
 
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