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.