9 riders turned up at the Britannia Inn for a ride round Little Langdale, including a new face, welcome to Ed', for his first time with lights. We set off 7-ish and rode up the lane to the slate quarry and took the bridleway past Yew Crags and on up through Sawreys Woods, then right along the rough track, past Dale End. Taking the right turn at the road heading for Fell Foot Bridge - where Ian had some trouble with gears, apparently the gear cable had broken and so Ian only had a 3 speed bike (should slow him down on the downhills!) then towards the climbing hut, bear left at the fork (or was it left at the Bear?) along to the ford, keep right but take the left fork (or was if fork left?) Refer to Jim for exact route.
At Stang End take the right turn up the hill. Ian decided enough of 3 gears and so headed back....to the pub! 8 riders continued up and over to Hodge Close and the quarry, there were plenty of slippy tree roots and rocks, Jim fell on some roots, (Mr Hardtail managed to clear them, just!) then Jim warned of slippy boulders at the quarry, (and Mr Hardtail fell off, 'no pain, no gain!') Back down the bridleway of Moss Rigg Wood to the ford, up the lane and a quick left and right to tackle the rocky decent to the road and back to the pub. 4 stayed in and were served chips at 9.15pm, 'Well Done' the Brittania Inn say all.
Next week it's planned for Cartmel.
Sunday, January 22, 2006
Monday, January 16, 2006
12th January 2006 - Bouth
"A wet day and the excuses were pouring in: Joel was just leaving Manchester, Chris was still in Carlisle and Jim had gone all the way to Norfolk (via the Boat Show) to get his note from his Mum. George sent the email saying to meet at Bouth. Jamie looked at the list on his Kitchen wall and went to Oxen Park. So that left George, Grant, Simon, Ian and a TG. We met Jamie on the first road section, who by that point had re-arranged his evening.
Through Oxen Park, up the road to Bandrake Head and Abbot Park, then out onto the fell. George tries to take an alternative route but we gather at the top of the hill ready for the down hill to Ickenthwaite. Unlike previous weeks Simon was in my sights the whole way down which he explained was because he had replaced his brake blocks and slowing down was once more an option.
Ian suggested a different route from the normal summer ride and we headed south west on the track back towards Oxen Park. Simon’s front wheel found a big hole in the track, stopping it dead and catapulted him down the track, fortunately without injury. We branched right off the main track along the bridleway that goes past Lord Ling. At this point Ians lights had given up and got out the back up “blue glowing” head torch. We decided that this route was best taken when the bracken is down and on a dry evening – it follows a stream.
Down the road to Colton and up the bridleway past the church. We had meant to find the track that went down the Old Hall farm to the west of Bouth, but instead we ended up going through Moss Wood. Ian all the while relying on the lights of those around. Back to the pub all without a drop of rain."
Cheers Charlie, traveling correspondent & tg.
Next week Elterwater, meet Britannia Inn.
Through Oxen Park, up the road to Bandrake Head and Abbot Park, then out onto the fell. George tries to take an alternative route but we gather at the top of the hill ready for the down hill to Ickenthwaite. Unlike previous weeks Simon was in my sights the whole way down which he explained was because he had replaced his brake blocks and slowing down was once more an option.
Ian suggested a different route from the normal summer ride and we headed south west on the track back towards Oxen Park. Simon’s front wheel found a big hole in the track, stopping it dead and catapulted him down the track, fortunately without injury. We branched right off the main track along the bridleway that goes past Lord Ling. At this point Ians lights had given up and got out the back up “blue glowing” head torch. We decided that this route was best taken when the bracken is down and on a dry evening – it follows a stream.
Down the road to Colton and up the bridleway past the church. We had meant to find the track that went down the Old Hall farm to the west of Bouth, but instead we ended up going through Moss Wood. Ian all the while relying on the lights of those around. Back to the pub all without a drop of rain."
Cheers Charlie, traveling correspondent & tg.
Next week Elterwater, meet Britannia Inn.
Monday, January 09, 2006
5th January 2006 - Ings
7 riders turned out to start the New Years season at Ings, we headed off for the usual route, stopped for cake at the first ford, turned right downhill for 2 more water splashes and made our way back via the tricky rocky descent and back to the pub for a beer. All very civilised!
Next week meet at White Hart, Bouth.
Next week meet at White Hart, Bouth.
2nd January 2006 - Ferry to Hawkshead
Welcome to the 2nd annual New Year ride. 7 riders turned out to meet at Nab ferry car park and to skid on the ice (no gritting on the car park!) we caught the 10.20am ferry and headed up the road to Far Sawrey, then we took the right hand lane after the post office leading to the bridleway up to Moss Eccles Tarn, a bit icy at the start! We carried on to Hollin Band plantation and took the downhill technical towards Scab Moss before turning left back up to the guide posts. We then enjoyed the downhill heading to Hawkshead for lunch at the Sun Inn, after a warm by the fire, soup, sandwich and chips and a little banter with the chief we headed back for the ride to snake bite alley....the name says it all and we warned everyone.... but we still had 2 punctures and it took Rod a couple of minutes to realise he had one, he then commenced to repair the inner tube with a patch!
At High Wray a few of the group took the low route back along the Windermere shore and 3 of us headed up the track to base camp for the ride over the top to enjoy the rewarding downhill from Far Sawrey. In the end Tim took a different route down and met up with the other group and Simon and myself took the downhill and then raced back for the ferry. All in all a very good ride to start the New Year.
Next week the first Thursday night ride from Ings in 2006.
At High Wray a few of the group took the low route back along the Windermere shore and 3 of us headed up the track to base camp for the ride over the top to enjoy the rewarding downhill from Far Sawrey. In the end Tim took a different route down and met up with the other group and Simon and myself took the downhill and then raced back for the ferry. All in all a very good ride to start the New Year.
Next week the first Thursday night ride from Ings in 2006.
22nd December 2005 - Ings
Just for the record, Joel and myself did the usual lane to Grassgarth, bridleway to the ford, turn right down the hill and 2 water splashes, left along the lane to Long Houses and up to Staveley Head for a right turn and down HP plantation for the rocky test! Along Browfoot, up the steep lane and left to head to the rocky bridleway, where my lights decided to turn off after nearly 2 hours, but I made the rocky route down in one, just!
Back to the pub to celebrate the festive cheer. See you all in 2006.
Back to the pub to celebrate the festive cheer. See you all in 2006.
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