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.