24th-25th March 2007 - Weekend trip to Dalbeattie area

6 riders ventured away of a TuckeyTours trip to sunny Scotland, I jest not, we woke up on Saturday to clear blue skies, so much so that half our group wore shorts. The crew consisted of JP, Jamie, Ed, Grant, Ian and CT, we headed out to Kirroughtree on Saturday and were even on bikes by 10.30am! unfortunately part of the start of the red trail was closed, which shortened the ride, but the overall riding time was just under 3 hours and we were out for 5 hours in total. The first casualty was JP with a broken seat pin bolt, it could have been worse! Ian came up with a spare bolt and after some 1st aid we were off. Kirroughtree is well worth the extra journey time, especially as we were riding in the sunshine, we even came across someone Jamie knew from Kendal. The McMoab is a great testing area, including the drop off, which has many people standing around the bottom with camera phones waiting for things to happen, check out the link to the video section (at right hand side of this web page). All in all it was a great ride, Grant was heading back to do his chef thing with his commis chef so he took the key to the chalet, the others went shopping, we got back but Grant & co were not to be found, so we unpacked, cleaned bikes and waited, no show and as I was about to find an alternative way into the chalet the car turned up, they had taken a detour via the coast road, even with GPS and a map, Ian had to resort to a compass! Clean bike, shower, swim and a sauna to finish he day off.

Later Grant and JP did a fantastic curry and we all flaked out into front of the TV watching 'Bear Grylls' saving himself from sharks! Next day Grant rustled up a cooked breakfast, albeit forgetting the mushrooms (thankfully said Jamie, something about being the wrong sort of mushroom?) then when the day was warming up we set out to ride Dalbeattie from the chalet, again there was a detour as we entered the forest, but not to be put off we set off into the forest, after some scouting by Ed we found a ridable detour and continued on the circuit. We had a play on the Twins (again check out the video, I made it down!!) There is a mix of fire road, but after the trail head area there is a section of singletrack which has been added to and now goes all the way to the slab section, it's great. At the slab, we again had some play time with lots of chat, trying to talk everyone into having a go, while we were there a couple came past and took the black route to the right of the slab, with the girlie saying the slab was just ballsy, the black route side route more interesting and it was. Just before we finished playing Grant had a go at the qualifier and made it all the way down,albeit he missed the exit and took a big tumble trying to avoid the rocks, he eventually got up saying that was lucky, on closer inspection he had cracked his helmet in 2 places and completed sheared off the brake reservoir from his front brake, so that was to limit his style! After that Ed made another attempt to get down the qualifier, round the corner and over the slab in one go, his font whell caught in a hallow and he jumped clean off (check out the very grainy video), having said that after fixing his puncture he did get it right and cleaned the whole lot, well done!

Back at base clean off the dust, and pack up the bike for Ian, Joel and Grant who were heading home, Jamie stayed for a while while Ed and I stayed over and rode Newcastleton on the Monday again in sunshine, there is some testing boardwalk play area and a great finish through the trees with little burms and jumps and its easy to ride the last section again. All in all a great weekend. More photos hopefully once we get them together. Cheers lads.

29th March 2007 - Hawkshead for Grisedale

7 eventually turned up at the Hawkshead car park, TG was late but not as late at JP, who decided Elterwater sounded like the place to go, until no one turned up and he phoned me, "get your *s*! down to Hawkshead" so he did. A bit of trouble with lights, but we set off up the first trail heading into the forest past Walker ground and the vicarage, it's a testing warm up, so much that JP chest was not playing ball, we naturally all commiserated and said keep going you can always trun back later...Now we started out in daylight, but as we got to the forest it was darker, still it's a great decent down to the visitor centre and then the climb UP, now we needed lights. This climb seemed longer, but it is better not to start cold from the visitor centre, at least Hawkshead allows some warm up. No real dramas, Jamie had his second wheel in, JP had a new chain and seat post bolt, Paul had a slack main pivot (new bike time!).
Anyway we stormed off round the North Face trail, thoroughly enjoying the boardwalks (I think that's what TG said), even if they do not have chicken mesh, they are still ridable! Last ride of the winter and we enjoyed the descent back down into Hawkshead, so much so that JP hit a gully and punctured. Into the pub for a beer and to discuss the 2007 summer ride list, watch this space. Next week its Gilpin Bridge last ride (short) and a meal at the Inn, come along for a chat.

22nd March 2007 - Elterwater ...?

Well it was the Thursday before a weekend away in Scotland and everyone was saving themselves...so Paul tells the tale...
"I turned up at Elterwater at 6:45 to find the car park packed full of cars, but no rads riders. I waited 10 minutes, then used my phone to view the email, I couldn't have come to the wrong place could I? No I was in the right place... another 10 minute wait and I decided to head home, I decided riding on my own in the dark probably wasn't a good idea, besides I couldn't remember the route anyway. Nice drive out to Elterwater though, very picturesque."
So no ride...till next time.

15th March 2007 - Staveley

Thursday Night riders turned out for a starry night ride, we crossed Barley bridge and took the first bridleway on the left about a quarter of a mile from the bridge and proceeded down easy tracks past Scroggs Farm until we came to some house near Elfhowe where the ascent started only Jamie cleared it. Chris was having gear problem and Grant, myself and Ian just did not make it. We then joined the Staveley Head Fell road and turned left off the road which took us over the fell and down through the plantation. Grant was wowing at his newly serviced bike and the fact that the suspension actually worked. We turned left and then right over the bridge and left again on the bridleway to Browfoot which has now been covered with tarmac hence spoiling what was once a technical climb. We then continued up and over the fell taking the three rivers route back to Barley Bridge.
Next week it's Elterwater.

8th March 2007 - Barbon

5 riders met up at Barbon for the usual 'hill climb' ride, it had been dry all day...until we parked up and started to get ready, Charlie even tried to phone me from her car when I was all of 10 yards away, just to say it was raining, but I filtered the call and so she just had to shout from the car, "it's raining".
Any how we set off, it's the usual route, here's a quick summary: up the lane, turn right, along the lane, peddling into the wind! down the hill and look for the bridleway on the left for the short cut (said Paul) up the first testing climb, Chris M' had a good go, the others walked some. Then turn right at the top, thru' the gate and ride along the track, watch out for the muddy wheel tracks, it was hard work even riding along this flattish section. At the road turn left and start up the second tarmac climb, I was even surprised when my lights picked out a frog gently hoping up the road, it on the left hand side so I had to take evasive action to avoid it! The next section is the third climb up the long off-road climb to the left, we stopped on the lane and looked for some shelter, but there was none, not even a sheep sheltering behind a wall (probably tucked up in bed...just like Shaun the sheep!) We a quick drink and a snack and off up the lane, at a few sections Charlie seemed to be testing us as she was walking as fast as we could ride!....anyway on up to the gate, it's a big climb but still only half way up, we paused to admire the lights of Kirkby Lonsdale, then off again up the slog, making sure we took the right track. Down to the gate for the muddy section, although it's downhill we seemed to have to peddle. Even at the gate on the tarmac section we were peddling, then left and onto the downhill rocky route, this was a tester in the rain, but we made it down, now it was just the ford to go, as we were wet through, who would have a go at crossing the ford....no one except CT, nearly made it, just got wet feet, so crack on through the woods for the Barbon down hill, back at the cars a quick exit and home for a bath.
Next week it's Staveley meet at Barley Bridge for a classic.

1st March 2007 - Troutbeck

6 met up at the layby near Troutbeck Church Bridge, we set off towards Ings to get to Longmire road track, then down the bridleway to Limefitt Park and down the hill, where Jamie on his new 29er had a puncture, maybe because he was riding his 700c road wheels (with disc mounts!) and narrow cycle cross tyres. We had time to admire the moon lit view of troutbeck over limefitt park, it seemed almost like a spanish village in the moonlight, maybe my imagination was working overtime!
We dropped down to the road and took the bridleway past the church and up the track to the Troutbeck road, it's a bit of a climb! Then we took Robin lane and stopped at the seat for the moon lit view of Windermere, then its down the rocky route to Holbeck lane and a right and left turn to take Wain Lane, now this is a rocky route, watch out for the stream and the muddy puddles. At the main road turn right and then take the track up Mirk lane, this invloves the uphill challengue, well done to Chris for making it past the first corner! We continued up and regrouped at the road, then we went back to Troutbeck, down the track back to the church and back to the cars. It was a good moon lit night.
Next week it's Barbon.