10 riders ventured out, some travelling by train and automobile just to get out to ride, it was the 13th but not a Friday, so we set out. Head to Colthouse and take Scar House Lane for a little bit of overgrown off road, then go up the road to Outgate to turn right down Spicka Coppice, known as 'snake bite alley'! We had our first THREE punctures, Rod even got his patches and glue out which gave Jamie a laugh... we ride on to find Harry also had a flat FOUR (that's Paul's trick, wait by the gate and then find a puncture). We then made about 300m to the other end of the tarn and Jamie made it FIVE, now we were nervous. We then set off again and got to the lane ,BUT one more made it SIX!
We made it past High Wray and to base camp headed up the fire road to the guide posts, where the first 4 riders turned right and head on, the others regrouped at the guide posts thinking we had more time for at least some off-road, if not the whole of Claiffe, so I phoned Jamie and the 4 came back, but Rod & co set off for an alternative route (thinking they may get a pub in!). The 8 remaining took the left route from the posts down the rocky descent to the bottom where Jamie had No. SEVEN, we then climbed up the tester, right at the top and back to the guide posts, then left and head back to Hawkshead down the rocky route.
We bombed down the hill enjoying a little too much and I had No. EIGHT, then at the bottom we found Harry mending No. NINE, and I was running out of fingers to count the snake bites. A quick blast back to the cars and meet up with Rod, who luckily had not had any more flats! A few beers helped restore calm, must pump those tyres up for next week!
Next week its Torver (possibly with the van shuttle).
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