28th September 2006 - Hawkshead for the North Face route

This was the first night ride for the season, 7 riders turned up at Hawkshead car park so we could set off through the village and on up the new bridleway, past Walker Ground and on up a rocky track towards Low Park where we meet up with the North Face route at a fire-road junction, we just had to remember where we were, so that we find the track and enjoy the descent on the way back. Now we started into the trees for the route to Moor Top, on the first boardwalk section Jamie had a puncture! so we all stopped on the board walk and waited a few seconds while he fixed it and we also learnt that Ian's battery had given up, so he was on borrowed time. We got to Moor Top and Ian borrowed my back-up light (which had about 25 minute run time) so Ian could enjoy the descent to the visitor centre. Here he decided to carry on, with a combination of moon light (not much) and navigation by feel!!!
We all enjoyed the downhill and even Neil who had not been on the North Face before was enjoying the ride through the trees, of course now we hit the up hill climb, which was a little damp and testing in places, but all OK at the top. We continued on with Ian riding amunst us to get some light and Jamie's HID giving an hazy blue glow ahead of us. Grant kept asking if there was any more boardwalk left, we all said no, just close your eyes and feel the force! At least Grant had his 2 lights working!!
The forrest is a great place to ride at night, especially as the stars were out, we left the car cark at around 7pm we got back at 9.30pm, no inclination for chips as it was too late, so see you next time. Next week its Baron.

21st September 2006 - Gilpin Bridge, Witherslack, Yewbarrow

This was to be the last summer ride of 2006 before the winter 'Night Rides' start, so a short ride was planned with a meal organised at the Gilpin Bridge after. 12 riders started, a few with lights (just in case) and we were honored with a couple of spectators, one with camera, who travelled around the route in a van, looking like paparazzi, watch out the daily star!!
The quick route round is to take the new bridleway from the pub going west to join up with the old road and head to Raven's Lodge to take the bridleway underneath White Scar, try to remember the route , especially where the wall has fallen down, for the return journey when it maybe dark! Drop down through Buckhouse wood and into Millside, turn sharp right to Beck Head and on towards the road leading Witherslack Hall Farm, turn left and left again, head south down a track to Yewbarrrow, at this point while I closed the gate, I looked out for Jamie, as if he was late he would have caught us up by now. Head into the woods to enjoy the singletrack downhill to Church Road, where the paparazzi were once again found to be flashing! (photos to follow)
Enjoy a quick race back through Town End to Millside and take the downhill though the woods under White Scar back home, only this time there were 13 riders, as you've gessed it Jamie had caught us up!! Back to the pub to meet up and head in for a meal enjoyed by 15 of us, where we reviewed the summer rides and discussed the winter route selection. Watch out for the full list soon to be published.
Next week it's the first winter ride, (so bring lights), we will meet at Hawkshead car park 6.45pm and try out the new link bridleway into Grisedale forrest and do some (if not all) of the North face route and we can get back to Hawkshead for a drink.

Sunday 17th September 2006 - Grisedale Challenge

6 of us turned up at the Grisedale Mountain Bike Challenge and 5 of us had entries, Ian just cruised round some of the course! The idea is to challenge yourself not so much a race as it's a mass start, there were 602 entires and in the end 482 finished within the time limit. The route was about 32 miles and included the North Face trail as the last section, which was good although the rocks and boardwalks were slippy, but that's MTB'ing in Cumbrian weather.
Check out the web site at GMBC.co.uk or look at the photos at http://www.mountain-bike-cumbria.co.uk/photography/gmbc2006/index.html cheers Jamie.
For the record Harry came 13th in the juniors (3 hr 13) , Ed came 33rd in the vets (3hr 20) and I came 73rd, Jamie (on a hard-tail) came 81st in the seniors (3 hr 09) and Trevor came 175th in the seniors (3 hr 46, but he should be with the rest of us in the vets???) but we all had a good time, someone was heard to say it needed more miles but I was quite happy to get round in 3 hours and 45 minutes thank you!

14th September 2006 - Elterwater for Loughrigg Terrace

5 riders met at Elterwater following a day of rain, so a few had fallen by the wayside! This was to be the Loughrigg Terrace ride but ending at the pub, "Hurrah" said Ian. We set off a little after time and headed over Walthwaite Bottom (the common) for High Close, with a couple of keen riders attempting the off road climbing sections..whatever next! Past the youth hostel and on down the road to get onto the Terrace, try the tester rocks at the start and then enjoy the downhill all the way to Rydal Water. Climb up and over to the lane that runs along the River Rothay and warm-up for the next climb. Turn right UP the lane after Brow Head farm and select a suitable gear, Joel struggled in middle ring for a while (catching Grants gremlins) and shot off ahead (he had no choice) but he finally got granny gear. Ian made if all the way to the first gate (or so he said) and celebrated with a Mars Bar!
We kept going up the climb until the second gate at the top and tried to get over the next rocky section without dabbing, no luck today. Now for another enjoyable downhill, after evading 2 barking dogs (very exited to see MTBer's) down to the gate and them the rocky section in the gloom, we made it OK. Then we rode down to the road and back along to the youth hostel to take to the lower track and join the road at the top of High Close for the last off road. The first section was fine, but there is a second section lower down which starts off with 2 little boardwalk type bridges, the first one has a little drop off tester but the second one is more of a test as you have to turn left immediately after the bridge and it is steep. It was dark so we were feeling our way, except Joel who seemed to have his 30W lamps fitted this evening! anyway the turn was a little tricky and although I made it round the turn by the next section of stepping rocks my SPD came out and somehow I ended up in the stream with wet feet! We then continued down through the boggy sections of the common and cycled back to the pub, only to find that my water bottle had come out, so Joel and I cycled back up to the technical section to look for it and also test ourselves again now we knew about the drop off and turn. This time was better and I found my bottle in the stream!
Back to the pub for beer and chips and role on the winter rides! Next week it's Gilpin Bridge for a short ride and a meal afterwards, all are welcome. PS Happy 5th brithday to Laura.

7th September 2006 - Barbon

11 riders turned up for the start, one even rode out from Milnthorpe (guess who?) a few set out early to start the climbs and the others set off a few minutes later. The usual route up the lane, bottom gear to start, then we waited at the cattle grid, P,J & G were a little while, as they wiated for Trev' & Harry, now we were 13. Turn right down the side of the hill and then left UP the bridleway trying not to dab, always a challenge!... continue along the lane to the road and prepare for another steep road climb. While we waited at the road Grant asked for assistance changing gear! so Jamie gave a hand and we all suggested using a sledge hammer!! Whilst waiting Simon turned up from the road, having arrived a little late, so now it was 14. Again a few riders set off up the hill to get a head start, we continued up the lane and at the left turn onto the bridgeway, we all made it to the top of the bridgeway and re-grouped with added numbers.
After a brief rest to admire the view, blue skys and lack of wind (as it is usually blowing a dale) we continued on up the track. Remember after the first gate that there is a fork in the track and you go straight on ignoring the track to the left, after a crest over the hill head down a few yards to a gate. Now it's basically downhill and watch out for the muddy puddles, one particular spot seems like clay!! I closed the gate a jumped on Jamie's bike to give it a test, only I needed a step ladder to reach the saddle and of course could not peddle whilst sitting in the saddle, so it made for an interesting descent down the lane, luckily we swapped for the off road tricky rocky descent that we all enjoy!!
Down to the road with no events, re-group and head through the ford (for wet feet Jamie and Harry) or over the foot bridge then down through the woods with lights if you were lucky or in the dark if not, Paul & Ian clashed while deciding which route to take! Back to the pub for chips & beer. Another grat Bardon ride of UP and Down.
Next week it's Elterwater, Britannis Inn for Loughrigg Terrace & more...

31st August 2006 - Cartmel

Four riders Ian ,Jamie ,Paul and George turned up for the Cartmel ride and despite the continuous rain we had suffered all day it actually stopped raining and never rained until we were packing the bikes back on the cars. We set off to moans from Ian out of Cartmel Park along the road towards Grange and past the Fell golf course to head over Hampsfell. The descent down to Cartmel was spoilt by tractor tracks and being paddled by cows. We were wary of the cows with calves as they were reluctant to move off the track. We then headed across the bridleway from Anysome to Cartmel and the deep stream helped wash the mud from our bikes, except Ian found a stone bridge in the trees which we never new existed. We then headed for Speel bank and over to Mount Barnard followed by a ride in the dark down to Cartmel Park.
Thanks to George for the update, well done, next ride is Barbon.