Club weekend away to Kirkby Stephen 14 – 16 April 2023
Matt had the idea of using Kirkby Stephen as a base for activities this year and was due to be the organiser. However, circumstances dictated otherwise and yours truly stepped in to keep the show on the road, ably assisted by Jill, Helen P, Lester and Mike.
For the last 10 years we’ve chosen to park up several miles from the overnight stay and run there and back over some circuitous routes. For a change and to suit the area, and overnight accommodation we decided to run from the overnight hostel this time.
A great part of organising a weekend away is the recceing and this year was no exception. Two winter visits to the area saw, Lester (who’s packed the sandwiches?), Helen, Mike and I tramping over Wild Boar Fell and the lowland area south of Appleby. I made a further trip with wife, Linda, to check out a third option, nearly losing Linda in the boggiest cow field it’s ever been my misfortune to cross! (not a good option for Ripon Runners!).
In these difficult economic times getting a single nights accommodation in a hostel is proving to be difficult and so we booked a two night stay at Kirkby Stephen Hostel, which is a delightful converted chapel in the middle of town, run by the equally delightful owner, Denise. In theory we had exclusive use of the place for 39 people, however, in practice, probably due to diary clashes, we ended up with 24 people booked up and shared the facilities with one or two coast to coast walkers and cyclists.
Four intrepid members (those with too much time on their hands!), which included your truly, cycled to Kirkby Stephen from Ripon on the Friday. In the evening most people arriving after work by more conventional means managed to make it to the Black Bull in Nateby, just up the hill from KS for a bevvy or two and excellent pub grub.
On Saturday morning, following Helen’s excellent porridge and Bully’s bacon baps, the group split into two, those walking with Lester from the hostel and those runners catching the train for Appleby for the start of the running options.
Lester’s walk set off up past Nateby and into the Mallerstang valley following the course of the River Eden. The valley includes some interesting historical remains such as Pendragon and Lammerside Castles. At Hazel Gill the walk turned right to gain the ridge that descends from Wild Boar Fell and great views over KS are to be had.
The runners made their way to Kirkby Stephen station for the ten minute train journey to Appleby and the planned runs back to base from there. Two kilometers into the run disaster nearly struck in the way of a barrier trying to prevent us using a planned river crossing. Three new beams forming part of a new bridge with no deck or hand rails had to be crossed or the alternative was water up to our arm pits. The ‘powers that be’ will have to work harder than that to prevent Ripon Runners from getting through! Thereafter the runs went smoothly, taking in Rutter Force and other places of interest on the way. At Great Asby, Matt took the faster runners on a longer loop (18 miles) back to base and I led a group at a more leisurely pace (16 miles).
Causing some confusion amongst our group there is a second Black Bull, this time in the middle of Kirkby Stephen. Positioned just down the road from the hostel it made a good venue for Saturday evening’s meal and drinks.
Sunday morning – another great helping of the excellent porridge and thoughts of running up to Nine Standards Rigg and back! Again the group split into walkers and runners with the walkers heading out west along old railway lines and over Smardale Fell. Us runners, with Matt leading the ascent headed off for Nine Standards Rigg, passing a Banksey of Borrowdale statue (Google it!) on the way. My chosen descent was over a bit of no mans land at one point where we nearly lost Mel in a bog!
Returning to the hostel, we were able to get showers and finish up all the spare cake, bacon and toast before heading off. Later that afternoon the cyclists took to the hills and a short ride of 11 miles to an overnight stop at Tan Hill Inn on the way home to Ripon.
Once again the weather was kind to us and everyone seems to have enjoyed the weekend and the various activities. I hope that all present had a great time and look forward to 2024!
Tim J