24th May 2007 - Broughton Mills - Dunnerdale Fells

6 of us met up at the Blacksmiths Arms for an exciting Ian special. It was a gray day but no rain to start with, we head down the hill over the Beck and up past the farm, here take the bridleway marked towards the right. Ian topped up his suspension with air and we were off up the testing climb where we were stung by the nettles, at least the dock leaves were out. Follow the track up and take a left along a stone wall past the Nursery (a rock outcrop) along to Hovel Knott here is another good uphill challenge made a tad more tricky by the mist rain that was starting to fall. At the top there is a choice of track keep right past the cairn stone and enjoy the descent, watch the streams and rocks before you reach the road, which is a great spot by the river Duddon (or at least it would have been if only it was not raining!) Here we regrouped and discussed routes, i.e. it was raining harder and the cry of chips could be heard from the pub! So we decided to take the shorter route back, which meant going a few hundred yards south along the road to find a bridleway back over the fell, we think this was an old pony route, because we were soon walking up the gradient and it was hard enough on foot, even a downhill would be risky due to the drop off and stones below. After a hard walk up through a rock gully we came out on the fell to feel to full force of the rain and wind, carry on and tee off left to meet up at the earlier bridleway by the stone carin, then enjoy the downhill, watching out for the rock and nettles. After a blast downhill back to the road, up to the pub a quick change and into the pub to order chips beer and dry off by the fire, a very civilised evening. Next ride south of Satterthwaite for Grizedale.

17th May 2007 - Staveley for Longsleddale

11 riders turned out, the usual route being as follows: starting from Barley Bridge and heading up Hall Lane to Staveley Head Fell and tee off right over the tops to enjoy the rocky descent into Longsleddale. Then run along the bridleway to the side of the river Sprint, join the lane and head to Sadgill Wood for a hill climb up to the gate, where we all paued for breath and then off for a testing climb up the rocky route; well done those who attemped the rocks! maybe one day we'll do it the other way round (just for a change) and on and over to High Lane, Kentmere. Then a right and left turn to Low Lane and a quick chain gang race ride (for some, even Grant had a go) back down the lane to the cars and some beers, the pub had a new flat screen TV showing Turkish football! Next ride Broughton Mills for an Ian special.

10th May 2007 - Hawkshead for Claiffe

6 riders met up at the Hawkshead car park to brave the showers having travelled for miles to meet at 6.30pm. We set off finally nearer 7pm, 3 hard tails and 3 sussers, we were all debating which way to go, but ended up with tradition; head towards Colthouse but take the track called 'Scar House Lane', this is just an quick off road section before Snake-bite alley. Usually this route is no trouble but tonight we needed Jamie and his machete to clear the quick growing hedges which were basically hanging down with the rain and were at head height obscuring our view of the route, so we all got wet! Anyway cracking on, back to the road and up past Outgate, with George complaining about gear trouble (so we wouldn't leave him alone) on towards Snake-bite and just before the 1st gate George snaps his chain, we spend a little time sorting out the chain and 'borrowing' Joel quick links. Onwards and down snake-bite, by this time we took it easy to avoid punctures....but no Grant jumps over a gully and hey presto a flat, just to give us all another rest so early in the ride.
We carry out over the fields, through the stream and out onto the road to High Wray, after a while we decide to take the track down to High Wray Bay and the lakeside and follow this route to Red Nab and then take the road up towards basecamp. We actually saw a lot of deer near the road, probably because the evening was very quiet, we then took a forrest road into Claiffe and came out near Scab Moss, here we went right and then left to find the guide posts, then a quick left turn to enjoy the downhill and up for the testing climb, with George enjoying 1st gear 'cause it was the only one to work! At the guide posts head west back to Hawkshead enjoying the downhill sections, although it was starting to rain harder now, we pasted 2 other bikers going the other way rying to find the Biketreks mob (who we eventually saw heading back to Hawkshead for a post ride drink). Back to the cars and home, too wet for a beer. Next ride from Staveley over to Longsleddale.

3rd May 2007 - Lowick

5 (of which 3 were hardtails!) met up by the Red Lion at Lowick for the common ride, lead by Ian as it is basically his back yard, it was a warm barmy evening and even Rod ventured out. The weather had been dry and so the riding was very good, I will endeavour to cover the route but check with Ian, Rod or John for details. We set off south down the lane through Lowick, take the first right (negotiate the honking Mercedes driver!) keep to the right fork and check gears, Ian! then over the cattle grid and at a corner junction go straight up Long Lane to Kiln Bank, taking the gate past the farm house on the right hand side (stop to fix sweaking brakes, CT). Head up the track and take the right handed bridleway around Subberthwaite Bank, head down to a gate and on towards a tarmac lane, turn left (nite rides usually go right) head to Tottlebank. Take the bridleway to Giants Grabe cross over the tarmac lane and enjoy the descent towards fell Gate, turn right onto the road for about 1.5km (a bit of downhill coast racing can be had) and head for Yeat House take the bridleway on the right hand side, after a while this route becomes a test, it is just manageable in the dry, Chris M cleaned it (after seeing where CT dabbed!) at Spunham Wood take the right hand fork and continue over Woodland Fell. At the next junction take the left track and ENJOY the downhill to the stream at Green Moor (see group photo). Go through and enjoy Green Moor wood, at the bottom turn right onto the road follow this until it turns into a bridleway and head UP the hill, another good challenge, not too bad as it was dry, C&C overshot the turn, but Ian called us back, it was still warm and sunny, but sunset was not far away. Near the knott, take the junction off to the right before you go over the top of the pass, now coming back south watch out for the rocky 'slab' technical bits, john came a cropper and Rod walked down! then over the stream of Hodge Wife Gill to head back upto Woodland Fell, another steep tester, worth a bash to see how far you can go.....! Take the bridleway east and head back down via Cockenskell and then the lanes via Blawith and the main road back to the cars, Rod and CT tried a little chain gang, Rod got over enthusiastic and miss judged the distance! Back to the pub for a beer and to check Rods map, much to Ian's amusement. Next ride at Hawkshead.

26th April 2007 - Troutbeck

10 met up at the lay-by near Church bridge on the A592, we set off through Limefitt park, then right (south) along the bridleway to meet up with the start of the Garburn pass route, we followed this UP to take the right turn onto Dubbs Road, Jamie and Harry were heading on up Garburn but turned back (we'll do this another time!) Down Dubbs, through a few water holes, back to the road turn right and head back to Longmire Road and the downhill past The Howe back to the main road. Jamie and Harry raced down the track and Harry received a puncture for his efforts, it was nice and dry on this occasion so the rocks were OK. Tyre repaired and on down to the road, turn left and look for the bridleway on the right hand side down through the field, someone suggested rolling down the track (no peddling, no brakes!!) it was very fast. Across the bridge and UP the track to Town End, here we re-grouped by the road, while Jamie messed about with a puncture i.e. it took longer than 90 seconds! we ended up chatting to the local occupants, who were actually related to Inge (say hello next time).
Then on our way up Robin Lane to take the bridleway by the seat down to the road, George had trouble with his chain, but we headed on up. At the seat we took in the view and Harry put more air into his tyres. Down the quick rocky blast, hit the road and turn right for a few yards and then take the bridleway called Wain lane. Rocky and testing but DRY, we re-grouped at the main Winderere road, after a head count, we wondered where George was....? We all thought he had caught up at the seat, but no...check mobiles, I had a message from George saying his chain had broken and he was heading back to the car (it could have been code for 'no more hills tonight'!!). Now we were down to 9, Trevor and Harry had cycled over and they too decided to head home. The seven remaining headed along to Merewood for the Mirk Lane challenge, Chris M and TG made it up the first single track, you must have clear track in front of you and not be blocked by others (no names...) then along for the second test past the house and old tree, this time CT made it all the way up!! a bit of a lung buster. Back along the road and take the second bridleway down to the church and back to the cars. No pub tonight, next week its the Red Lion at Lowick for the common ride.