16th June 2005 - Ullwater ride from Hartsop

It was new starting point for the Ullswater ride, from the car park in Hartsop, to enable a little more warm up than usual. 6 turned up in the car park, unfortunately Paul left one of his brake pads at home and so had to go back, that left 5.
Head off out of Hartsop back towards the road turn right down the bridleway which runs parallel to the main road, through a gate and stream crossing and continue until the right turn UP the hill. This is where we have often carried on up and done the anti-clockwise route, but tonite we had other ideas, so we headed part way up the hill and looked for a route part way along to Crookabeck, along to Rooking to Ullswater but taking the higher bridleway to Silver Crag. Rocky in places but always worth a go.
Then continue round Birk Fell, stopping for Inge's fantastic 'just the job' flap-jacks, carry on over the rocky route, riding over the occasional boulder! round to Sandwick to pick up the lane back south through Boredale, along Boredale Beck joining the bridleway at Boredale Head, on up the hill-climb to Boredale Hause; discussing the formation of grassy boulders in the valley floor along the way. Once through the cutting (involving a little bike carrying), the down-hill started, note that this is a little steep to start, so just hang off the back of the saddle and enjoy the ride down and back to the cars.
No major mechanicals and the 5 riders; Jamie, Jim, Fred, John and myself managed a leisurley circuit of 3 hours and still had time to discuss next weeks epic ride out in Horton in Ribbledale, Jim's planned a stormer of a ride.