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.