This puzzle cache is prepared with the full support of Sustrans, the sustainable transport organization. It is designed to be done by bike or on foot. It is deliberately designed to discourage ‘Cache and Dashing’ as this would be against the ethos of Sustrans. I hope it is not possible to solve it by using the internet as a research tool – and that is not a challenge ! The cache is set completely along a cycle way in West Cumbria. The cycle way is on the former route of the ‘Whitehaven, Cleator and Egremont Railway’ and is completely off road. It is tarmaced for all its length, so is suitable for wheelchair users and family groups etc.
To solve the puzzle you will need to travel about 6 miles in each direction along the cycle way between the villages of Moor Row and Rowrah. It is designed in that direction to give you a pleasant descent back down from Rowrah – it may be possible to freewheel a large section of the return. (That can be a challenge) The actual cache itself is located close to the Moor Row end. As you travel along you will answer various simple questions which will guide you towards numbers which eventually will build into the final co-ordinates for the cache. All the clues are solvable from the cycle way itself. There is a wealth of information about the history of the railway – search for ‘Whitehaven, Cleator and Egremont Railway’.
I am aware of two places locally offering cycle hire.
Braemar Bikes in Whitehaven, 01946 813112
Ainfield Cycles in Cleator Moor, 01946 812427
The location of the final cache is N54 AC. EGI W003 BD. FHJ
There are ten waypoints on the route and at each you will glean the numerical value of one of the letters. Visit all ten and you should have the final co-ordinates. The clues are set out below in the order I would expect you to visit them if you start from Moor Row Road side car parking and access to the cyclepath is available at N54.30.880 W003.32.900 (NX 997 143) in Moor Row on Scalegill Road, or there is a small amount of parking available by the former station at the north end of Dalzell Street in the village. The grid references are given to aid armchair plannning with an OS map. They are only approxiamate.
1. ‘Coast to Coast’. N54.30.847 W003.33.420 (NX 993 143) Moor Row is unique in that it is the only village that is on both the coast to coast footpath and cycle route. At this point the walkers come across the fields below the bridge, whilst the cyclists are on the cycle path. Their routes recross at Beehive Bridge in Moor Row (adjacent to suggested parking) – although discerning walkers will follow the cycle way round Moor Row, thus avoiding any road walking. How many vertical metal posts are there on the west side of the bridge ? 4 posts = 4, 5 posts = 3, 6 posts = 2. This will give you ‘A’
You now need to turn round and retrace your steps towards Moor Row. For the next waypoint you diverge slightly off the main route. At the third bridge you pass under you will see on your left the platform of the former Moor Row station. The cycle way now splits twice. Keep left on both occasions. You should come to the Rock Crusher within a 100 metres of the second junction.
2. ‘Rock Crusher’. N54.31.110 W003.31.869 (NY009 147) How many bikes are there ? 1 bike = 1, 2 bikes = 3, 3 bikes = 5. This will give you ‘B’
Again you need to retace your steps to the last junction; and again keep left, rejoining the main C2C route 71. Currants is within a few metres on the left, just as you go over a bridge.
3. ‘Currants’. N54.31.026 W003.31.929 ( NY 009 146) “From one shaft at Cleator Moor They mined for coal and iron ore. This harvest below ground could show black and red currants on one tree.” This is the opening verse from the poem ‘Cleator Moor’ by Norman Nicholson. It is engraved onto a sandstone slab just past this point on the left (north). It refers to the former Montreal Mine which stood adjacent to here, where one shaft was used to extract both iron ore (the red) and coal (the black). In blue, what place faces you ? Micklam = 0, Lowca = 1, Parton = 3. This will give you ‘C’. Additional note, May '15, the word you are looking for is low down, and the blue paint is beginning to flake off,
4. ‘Phoenix’. N54.31.384 W003.31.192 (NY 017 153) This should bring you to a small picnic area just beyond Phoenix Bridge in Cleator Moor. This is the site of the former station although little evidence remains – a very short length of platform adjacent to the bridge. What you are looking for here is “How many people are walking a dog ?” 1 walker = 2, 2 walkers = 3, 3 walkers = 4 This will give you ‘D’
5. ‘Pond’ N54.31.460 W003.30.111 (NY 029 153) Hopefully you will be next to one of the many sculptures, and overlooking a pond. “How many people can sit down here ?” 4 people = 0, 6 people = 9, 8 people = 8. This will give you ‘E’
6. ‘Dent View’ N54.31.593 W003.29.351 (NY 037 156) A stone seat with engraving on it. This is where the uphill starts I’m afraid – but the views compensate for that and there are still four more questions to answer so plenty of excuses to stop ! And don’t forget it will be downhill all the way back to here ! “On the engraving on the seat how many vowels are there ? .19 = 5, 21 = 6 , 23 = 7, 25 = 8 . This will give you ‘F’
7. ‘Millennium’ N54.31.778 W003.28.850 (NY 045 161) One of the Millennium mileposts that are found all over the cycle network. “Sunderland minus Whitehaven, divided by Keswick, plus 2 ?” This will give you ‘G’
8 ‘Yeathouse Station’ N54.32.244 W003.28.788 (NY 043 169) The former station for Frizington. At the north end of the platform is one of the familiar blue mileage posts. There are three places mentioned as being in the uphill direction – i.e. the direction most people will be doing this cache. “What vowel is not used in any of these place names ? A = 2, E = 8, I = 1, O = 9, U = 0. This will give you ‘H’
9. ‘Salter Station’ . N54.32.912 W003.28.356 (NY 048 180) Shortly after passing through a very short tunnel you will arrive at the site of Salter Station. At the north end of the platform is a recessed seating area. How many sandstone slabs make up the seating ? 8 slabs = 5,10 slabs = 6, 12 slabs =7. This will give you ‘I’
10. ‘Bairds’ N54.33.142 W003.27.844 (NY 053 185) The end of your route looking for clues, but the cycleway continues for another mile or so off road. At the barrier is another one of the sculptures which are found along the route. The animal which points in the direction of the continuation of the cycleway has spines – not sure what sort of animal it is ! How many spines does it have ? 4 spines = 5 ,5 spines = 4, 6 spines = 3, 7 spines = 2, 8 spines = 1. This will give you ‘J’
Behind you you should see a seat above the former bridge you have just passed through. This is an ideal place to work out where the cache is actually located and have your picnic, before you commence the long downhill back from whence you came.
The location of the final cache is N54 AC. EGI W003 BD. FHJ