7 Riders braved the winter weather, wrapped up warm and set our navigation radar to autopilot and off we went. Head south down the hill from the Anglers Arms pub, take the first left along the B5278 for a few yards then tee off left to the glass works and onto the bridleway running north east parallel with the river Leven.
Then turn right and climb UP the tarmac section, past a 'S' bend and take a left turn on to a bridleway across to Canny Hill, down Crook Hill and over the road and up somewhere around Chapel House Plantation, we stopped for J&C's excellent choco' biscuits and continued down into Newby Bridge.
We then crossed the road and headed over and past the hotel and along the road past Lakeside taking a left turn to Finsthwaite and on up the hill to a bridleway near Finsthwaite House. Then enjoy a downhill section through woods at Wintering Park, I enjoyed so much that I got a puncture, well at least Joel wasn't there to shout 'tyre pressure' and luckily I was warmed up so at least my fingers could change the tyre and pump in some air! We then took a little used route running somewhat parallel to the railway line, or so it seemed in the dark and made it back to the cars in one piece. Well done to Grant for excuse of the year (so far), "I can't make it, my son is being born", Congratulations to all the family.
Next week we're at Ings for a blast round Staveley area.
Monday, November 28, 2005
Sunday, November 20, 2005
17th November 2005 - Gilpin Bridge Inn round Witherslack
It was sub-zero in the night air as we met up at the Gilpin Bridge Inn car park, 9 riders started out and Jamie had riden out from Kendal, (keen or what!). We set off north on the A5074 Lyth Valley road, but only for a few yards then turn left down a farm track, left at the gate and on to the old road and the start of the first hill climb below White Scar.
Now this all sounds reasonably easy, but Jamie had an initial problem with a freewheel (it's a rear wheel hub drive thingie) so he set off a few seconds after everyone else and shot off down the A5074 but missed the first turn, Jim & I waited at the first gate and I eventually phoned him, even though Jim said he was old enough and *$"! enough to look after himself. Anyway we re-directed Jamie and I waited, while Jim set off to tell the others and to continue up the first hill, where we planned to catch up...... Jamie turns up, we shut the gate and set off, but Jamies freewheel thingie is not playing ball, basically a ratchet part gets damp from previous wet rides and in freezing weather it stops working, (one trick is to piss on the hub so it warms up, but this did not work) so Jamie went back to the pub.
I then raced on to catch the others up, by which time they had completed the first climb, and gone through Beck Head and up to Witherslack Hall Farm where the remaining 8 met up. We then took the right hand bridgeway and went down the frozen muddy trail to the botton of Knot Wood, where the option was a mile or so road ride or go back UP the track. At this point Georges freewheel decided to play up and so we all went back up the track, it's a bit of a tester especially when gears get frozen and you try the up in middle ring!
We then headed south over Yewbarrow to enjoy the downhill to Church Road, down into Town End and left around the lanes to Beck Head to start back up Buckhouse Wood to enjoy another downhill where we started. At this point we were missing Andy, so I cycled back down to the phone box but there was NO sign, we presumed he had taken another route, we continued on and after the downhill noticed some lights coming down the fell, apparently he had punctured and we did not hear his shouts!
All back to the pub for a warm up, beer & crisps. Later on I texted Jamie (no bloody mobile reception in the pub!) Jamie had gone to the pub for a drink, warmed up the freewheel and cycled home and got himself a puncture, what a night!!!
Next week meet at Haverthwaite, near the Anglers Arms for another RADS adventure.
Now this all sounds reasonably easy, but Jamie had an initial problem with a freewheel (it's a rear wheel hub drive thingie) so he set off a few seconds after everyone else and shot off down the A5074 but missed the first turn, Jim & I waited at the first gate and I eventually phoned him, even though Jim said he was old enough and *$"! enough to look after himself. Anyway we re-directed Jamie and I waited, while Jim set off to tell the others and to continue up the first hill, where we planned to catch up...... Jamie turns up, we shut the gate and set off, but Jamies freewheel thingie is not playing ball, basically a ratchet part gets damp from previous wet rides and in freezing weather it stops working, (one trick is to piss on the hub so it warms up, but this did not work) so Jamie went back to the pub.
I then raced on to catch the others up, by which time they had completed the first climb, and gone through Beck Head and up to Witherslack Hall Farm where the remaining 8 met up. We then took the right hand bridgeway and went down the frozen muddy trail to the botton of Knot Wood, where the option was a mile or so road ride or go back UP the track. At this point Georges freewheel decided to play up and so we all went back up the track, it's a bit of a tester especially when gears get frozen and you try the up in middle ring!
We then headed south over Yewbarrow to enjoy the downhill to Church Road, down into Town End and left around the lanes to Beck Head to start back up Buckhouse Wood to enjoy another downhill where we started. At this point we were missing Andy, so I cycled back down to the phone box but there was NO sign, we presumed he had taken another route, we continued on and after the downhill noticed some lights coming down the fell, apparently he had punctured and we did not hear his shouts!
All back to the pub for a warm up, beer & crisps. Later on I texted Jamie (no bloody mobile reception in the pub!) Jamie had gone to the pub for a drink, warmed up the freewheel and cycled home and got himself a puncture, what a night!!!
Next week meet at Haverthwaite, near the Anglers Arms for another RADS adventure.
Monday, November 14, 2005
10th November 2005 - Ings round Kentmere
8 riders met up at Ings for a figure of 8 route around Kentmere. Setting off from Ings north up the lane and on to Grassgarth keep heading north taking the first left turn and then the right turn through the gate. Continue north up Mickle Moss through the stream to the sheepfold, do not go through the gate but take the right turn and head south east along Meadowplatts plantation and enjoy the downhill and 2 stream crossings, refreshingly cold!
Cross Ullthwaite bridge and turn left on the road and head to Long Houses, take the bridgeway UP, while listening to Jim & Joel discussing the virtues of using rubbers to protect your headset! at least it takes the mind off the uphill! Then continue through 2 smaller streams and at the (level)crossing take the right hand turn to enjoy the HP plantation down the rocky descent to the lane. Then continue back down the lane to Ullthwaite bridge and along the bridgeway to the rocky up hill test (well done Jamie, George & Paul for cleaning it) then up the tarmac hill, left at the top and down past Hugill Hall farm to enjoy the last section of bridgeway before the lane back to the cars.
Another successfull evening out enjoyed by all. See you next week at Gilpin Bridge Inn for the Lyth Valley ride.
Cross Ullthwaite bridge and turn left on the road and head to Long Houses, take the bridgeway UP, while listening to Jim & Joel discussing the virtues of using rubbers to protect your headset! at least it takes the mind off the uphill! Then continue through 2 smaller streams and at the (level)crossing take the right hand turn to enjoy the HP plantation down the rocky descent to the lane. Then continue back down the lane to Ullthwaite bridge and along the bridgeway to the rocky up hill test (well done Jamie, George & Paul for cleaning it) then up the tarmac hill, left at the top and down past Hugill Hall farm to enjoy the last section of bridgeway before the lane back to the cars.
Another successfull evening out enjoyed by all. See you next week at Gilpin Bridge Inn for the Lyth Valley ride.
Tuesday, November 08, 2005
3rd November 2005 - Loughrigg Fell
6 riders turned out dressed in Goretex, just a little rain! Starting from Pelter Bridge car park, just south of Rydal, cycle clockwise, along the lane next to the River Rothay, head up the steep lane near Rothay Park and up to the bridgeway onto Loughrigg Fell. Ride Up and over, enjoying the downhill through the water running down the fell side and over the tree roots (dabbing a foot occasionally) down to Tarn Foot.
Cycle along the lane by Loughrigg Tarn and take the lane towards Red Bank, but tee off to the right onto the bridgeway of Loughrigg Terrace, enjoy the downhill then at the botton corner we took the new permissive path at higher level, to avoid getting our feet wet by dipping into the Rydal Water, and visited the caves before dropping down to the gate and back to the cars.
Due to the continuous wet weather, next week Thursday 10 November will be at Ings, Carmel will be re-arranged. CU then.
Cycle along the lane by Loughrigg Tarn and take the lane towards Red Bank, but tee off to the right onto the bridgeway of Loughrigg Terrace, enjoy the downhill then at the botton corner we took the new permissive path at higher level, to avoid getting our feet wet by dipping into the Rydal Water, and visited the caves before dropping down to the gate and back to the cars.
Due to the continuous wet weather, next week Thursday 10 November will be at Ings, Carmel will be re-arranged. CU then.
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