22nd June 2006 - Ribblehead to Hawes

7 riders ventured out to meet at a grid reference, approx one mile east of Ribblehead. This day was the longest day (nearly) for a Thursday nite ride and last year the Horton in Ribblesdale ride had been in glorious sunshine, but alas this nite 'was blowing a small gale so we were hoping to find shelter behind stone walls. Any body who read the email tennis was packing food in all pockets, no cornflakes but some fresh fruit.
We headed off east down the Dales Way, the old roman road and took the bridge over the stream thinking we'd save the water splash for the return leg (except Jamie who just rode it 'cause it was only ankle deep, for him) and onward up the hill to seemingly endless false summits, we pass some motorbikes heading down to Horton and one bike had a puncture rear type and was very unsteady but had to carry on. The route was steady but there were a few muddy puddles from the latest rain and our drivechains were getting muddy and giving a few problems (for some) we reached the high point at the Cam High road and then turned left to follow the West Cam Road heading to Hawes, but don't forget to take the right fork at the junction with the Cam Road, which was to be our return route. Some folks asked if we were half way yet...No.
After a while we eventually reached some downhill and I checked my brake pads 'cause the mud was eating them alive, still a very enjoyable grassy downhill towards Hawes, take a left turn alone a lane to High Bands and bands Lane and then left again to the Cam Road. This involves some steady climbing up a rocky track past a forrestry plantation until we met up with the West Cam Road again. John had the misfortune to puncture on this leg, but it was soon fixed. Probably half way now or at least we were on the return leg!
Daylight was starting to fail ('cause it was a little cloudy!) so we pushed on and met the Cam High road and set off on the long downhill back to the start, we regrouped at the bridleway fork with the Horton route and then continued down the fun descent, although it was a little tricky in the dark! We made it back to the beck crossing and Jamie waited by the lower gate (and was eaten alive by midges, well done!) We headed for the cars, Jim & Paul took their time and we eventually went back to see what was up and you guessed it Paul had a puncture.
So all in all if we would have had a sunny evening, no punctures, no chit chat, no gossip then maybe, just maybe we would have made it back in daylight!!! Some say it was a classic of its own, some say it was an epic, perhaps this was a classic epic.
Next week its Grisedale, meet Moor Lane car park, 400m S of Satterthwaite (337920).

15th June 2006 - Ullswater ride

8 riders turned up at the car park in Hartsop, listening to the England match on the radio whilst getting ready we heard the first Crouch goal - taking "just in time" to the limit!!
We set off north along the bridleway to take the anti-clockwise route, so the very steep warm up heading up to Boredale Hause, then across the top and the rocky testing descent into Boredale valley. Harry enjoyed himself on the down hill and ended up with a flat! We cycled along the lane heading for Sandwick beck and turned left at the Ullswater shore to come along the lake side. There is plenty of opportunity to test yourself against the rocky route, including the odd boulder challenge (cheers Jamie, you can just roll right over it!!!) also there is a section like a staircase, where Harry nearly came a cropper at the bottom but luckily landed on George so all was well!
Carry on round Silver Bay, past the Devil's Chimney and navigate past Rooking along some tracks used by sheep! to get back to the downhill section halfway down from the Boredale Hause and enjoy the last blast home to the cars...then it was just the fight with the midges to get into the cars before being eaten alive!
Next week we're in Yorkshire, doing part of the Cam High Road, (take the A65 to Ingleton, turn left on the B6255 heading for Hawse, go past Ribblehead viaduct for about one mile, park by the road side)

8th June 2006 - Broughton Mills

The ride commenced at approx 6.40pm from the Blacksmiths Arms, Broughton Mills the weather was superb but unfortunately only four riders turned out. They were Paul, George ,Jamie and Ian who led the ride. We set off down the lane from the pub but we were soon met with a very steep climb as we headed towards Great Stickle gaining almost 1000ft within the first mile!! This meant that even Jamie had to get off and push. The single track down hill to the Ulpha road was a just reward. We then followed the Upha road and turned right just before the bridge where we disputed the bridle path direction with a young local. Here we headed towards Stickle Pike more pushing. The views on this lovely summers evening were superb once over Stickle Pike we covered some excellent single track with tricky down hill sections until we reached Jackson ground. We then proceeded along the track to Stephenson Ground where we joined the road back to Broughton Mills at around 9.20pm.
Sounds great, thanks to GT for the on the spot reporting. CU next week at the Ullswater ride, meet in Hartsop village car park (drive through the village).

1st June 2005 - Keswick, Latrigg Threlkeld ride

A great summers evening ride started with 4 riders meeting behind the Keswick pencil factory, Ian decided to ride along the old railway and meet us at the shelter near Brundholme. So 3 of us set off from Briar Rigg up the Cumbria Way route UP hill to the car park at Latrigg, we then kept right and enjoyed a fast decent into Brundholme to meet Ian. Then enjoy a very tranquil ride along the old railway east to Threlkeld, then turn left and head up past the lane to the Blencathra centre, where we met Trevor and Harry riding in the opposite direction!! they had started from the main car park and riden clockwise, so we said we would meet back at Keswick for chips later.
We headed on up and upon joining the off road bridleway met a head wind but carried on up the right hand side of the valley, under Blease Fell to drop down at the end of the valley to meet the Cumbria Way and head back down the other side of the valley at higher level under Lonscale Fell. On the way down the valley Ian had the misfortune to break a seat clamp bolt, but this has happened before and Ian carries a spare bolt! We climbed up the valley passing 2 other mountain bikers and headed back along Lonscale craggs being tested along the rocky route, mindfull of the drop off to the left hand side, "Don't look down!"
Remember to take in the great views, while the sun is setting and making shadows of the mountains, we also got views of "Castle Rock" at the end of the valley toward High Rigg. While negociating the rocky section Ian fell over and appeared to be heading over the edge, but some soft mud saved the day. We then rounded the corner and met up with a large group of mountain rescue members out of a training exercise, carrying stretchers down the hillside!
We shot down the last hill, through the ford and back to the top car park to enjoy the downhill ride back to Briar Rigg, great fun in the setting sunshine.
Back to Keswick for chips in the village centre, 9.30pm and it was just like summer early evening with loads of folks walking round the plaza.
Next week Ian's route from Blacksmiths' Arms, Broughton Mills