26th July 2007 - Askham for High Street (see map)

We met at Askam next to the swimming pool, under a cloudy sky. Somehow following all the rain we have had the swimming pool was empty. Jamie, Charlie, George and Paul turned up for the punishment, and long wet climb up Loadpot hill in the intermittent rain.
We set off out of Askham on the road, cylcing past Helton on to the next right to Cockle Hill. After about a mile we turned right towards Howe Farm. This is not the marked bridleway, but according to the all seeing Jim, a better route. We plugged away up the hill which once past the farm and the hard packed lane was very soft and wet under wheel (and foot) which made for some tough riding (and pushing). Once at the top (there is a pointy rock, you can't miss it) we joined a roman road (part of High Street) and headed down. A quick stop to admire the fantastic view of Ullswater and then onwards down the incredibly wet and boggy terrain. At a junction where the bridleway heads right we go left for a much better route past Arthurs Pike and onwards over Barton Fell. At the bottom of an excellent decent we turn right, through a stream and cycle on to meet the end of the official bridleway. Then glancing behind to see a rather intimidating rain cloud heading our way we pressed on over Askham fell to Riggingleys Top, and then an excellent final decent down to Askam, which also included a fantastic jump. A great ride, if not a little wet. Well actually very wet. Thanks to GPS man for the map, thanks Paul for the words, Next ride Sedburgh, meet in free car park.

19th July 2007 - Elterwater

A beautiful summers evening at Elterwater, CSC and CM were there with plenty of time, but as the masses gathered we were surprised by two things, firstly the tales of thunderstorms that Jamie had driven through on the way, and secondly Joel had turned up. While we waited for Ian to fix his seat bolt, we caught the edge of a shower leaving a perfect dry patch in the shape of my bike which had been lying on the ground. It amused me.
We set off up the road towards High Close youth hostel. A small section of off road to the right of the road before we reached the top. The descent down Loughrigg Terrace saw us all taking different routes – some more legal than others . The ride along the road was uneventful except for the shout of “watch out for ice” - it was probably too warm an evening anyway. We were all looking forward to the climb up the ‘Concrete’ road – actually only about 5 yds of it is surfaced with concrete. At the top gate we stopped to look at the rubber tracked go anywhere vehicle and wondered what it was doing up there. We were soon to find out. They are obviously trying to recreate Offa’s Dyke along the former path. They have forgotten to do the bits where streams cross, resulting in some fairground-like riding. Jamie tried to jump the gap – more speed we think. We rode the new bridleway around the back of Loughrigg Tarn before taking the track that goes through the woods below the Youth hostel. While this is not our longest ride it now all links together rather well. Back to the pub in time for the most expensive chips in the world.
Thanks Charlie for the reporting, check out http://tracker1.reperion.com/gmap.aspx?name=joel for a GPS route from Joel, (you may need to zoom about). Next ride is Askham for Loadpot hill, park at the swimming pool.

12th July 2007 - Tebay for Borrowdale valley

4 turned out to meet south of Tebay, near Borrowdale wood, we set off west down the Borrowdale valley, following the bridleway to the farm at Low Borrowdale, stay on the low bridleway and run along the valley floor, keep going past High Borrowdale, but cross over the bridge to stay south of the Borrow Beck. At the end of the valley take the short steep climb to the A6 main road, head south for a few hundred yards and take a bridleway on the left hand side, here we waited while CT fitted new rear disc brake pads, ready for the downhill! Now downhill for 1km, with Charlie saying take it easy, so we did, but George still got a puncture! Carry on down to the lane and keep going south, follow this lane, after a farm gate, Jamie found a bit of metal sticking out of his rear tyre and a hissing sound escaping!! so another stop, a few jelly babies and off we went again. Take the first left junction and keep going until the next bridleway on the left which is the route to the masts at the top of the hill. From approx 170m the climb goes up to 400m and it is roughly 1.5 miles of track, Jamie set off to take the lead, the others followed, it was getting warmer by the minute, CT, CSC & GT followed, just like Le Tour! There are a few gates and cattle-grids, at the last cattle-grid, Jamie took some air and CT continued on for the polka-dot jersey. At the top we took a break and the mist rolled in, making it very quiet on the top, but the mist cleared so we could find the way down and soon we could see a great view down the Borrowdale valley, where we had just been. The route down has some boggy places, catching CT out in one place, grabbing a wheel up to the hub and not letting go! You drop down near to the wall and you are back to the original bridleway, hear we planned an extra route, but as it was 9.10pm CSC and GT headed back to the cars, CT and JB went back down the valley (the same way as before) and at the low borrowdale farm, take a right turn after the gate and head up the track past Belt Howe, this climb is rideable in places and a push in others, the view at the top is of Tebay ad then a downhill past Jeffrey's Mount, gets you back to the lane to take you back to the cars, we finished at 10pm, all very civilised and no rain! Next time it's Elterwater.

5th July 2007 - Lowick & the Low Birker Moor Descent

After some deliberation about the amount of water, two set off Chris M and John T, to take the usual night ride route, so I believe. This meant following the River Crake, upstream, on the eastern side. Second right at Nibthwaite Grange up a steep road incline. Incredibly this was very welcome because by this time we were already soaked and cold and the effort at least generated some steam. At the gate at the top of the hill bear left onto an open track roller coaster of a downhill to Ickenthwaite. Lots of ponds to negotiate. Chris ploughed through the first whilst I tried to find an alternative route. He persuaded me that the water in the ponds was warmer than the rain, I took his word for it and I have to say it was a very pleasant experience. From Ickenthwaite it was road work to just short of Force Mills where we took a uphill bridle way on our left. Chris nailed it but I came off on the rocky r.h. bend. Heading on towards Satterthwaite discussions about the route - but plumbed for the bridleway up to Low Parker Moor. Chris persuaded me that it would be rideable all the way. Surprisingly, apart from a small steep section of loose rock and the occasional step it was! At the top and out of the forest more ponds to negotiate before the descent. Chris again commenting that the rain will have washed all the lichen off the rocks and we will get good grip. 10 seconds later Chris was doing a triple solko or am I exaggerating – maybe only a double axle. V.enjoyable downhill following the path which was now a babbling brook with Chris completing the techy bit whilst I jumped off just before those deep groves in the rock. Back to the Red lion but too soggy for a drink and too late for chips. Next ride around Borrowdale valley near Tebay, start at junction of A685 near Low Borrow Bridge, 2 miles south of junction 38.

28th June 2007 - Ribblehead

The memorable ride that was "Ribblehead" 2007. The story is penned by Charlie below, but I will set the scheme first. A few folks were asking how long the route was? But it’s the mid-summer ride, so you can ride till late and there was a full moon (somewhere). Now the weather had been damp to say the least and it was raining during the day, but not to be put off C&C turned up to egg each other on!
The story unfolds…
"It was billed as the "mid summer madness ride" and coinciding with the full moon seemed an important criteria to allow the planned route to be completed in the light. All was looking good up to about lunchtime.... then the heavens opened. A quick text during the afternoon, while in a meeting, confirmed at least that Chris intended riding, and a phone call while coming out of work confirmed my fears that most of the others had decided that it was indeed madness. Driving out of Ingleton, a text from Chris M told us that he too was bowing out on the evening. Parked up at Ribblehead the cars were being buffeted around in the wind and the rain was drumming down. The original ride that had been recce’d, after the initial climb from Ribblehead had a fantastic descent into Dentdale but on an evening like this we knew that this was too committing to be in another valley. Plan B came into action. A short ride along the road with the wind behind – not such a bad evening after all – turn left at Low Bridge and follow Black Rake Road up to where it joined the road to Dent, all very rideable, even up hill. Turn right across to Newby Head Gate where there is a newly made up bridleway. We had seen this on the recce and thought it must join up with the Cam High Road. A very good gradient all the way with one or two steeper sections. By this point the stream that it follows was starting to go into full spate, still we were relatively sheltered from the wind by the moor but we were in thick cloud with less than 20ft visibility. We crossed the wall at Gavel Gap where we were relieved to see the nicely made up track continued after the gate. Just a few hundred yards later it ended and while we could make out the vague continuation in the limestone pavement and shortly cropped grass we did have a few concerns. We peddled on, all the while becoming more exposed to the driving rain. We then could make out a wall on our right, so we sheltered behind this while we studied the map. The wall was in fact 2 walls with a grassy strip in between. At this point we worked out that the Cam High road was about 12 ft away on the other side, we just could not see it! Down hill all the way from here (we will leave out the bit that we were now straight into the gale force winds and the rain – that might put some people off). A couple of gates to negotiate to break up the flow of this fantastic down hill. We were steadily cooling down (they will think we got warm on the climb) and as we came off the tarmac top section the path had turned into a stream. Both of us were hoping that neither of us punctured on the obscured rocks and drops. The water was now deep enough that you could have floated a kayak! We reached a stream near the bottom and decided that wadding across might have easily resulted in us being swept off our feet. We found a narrow section – passed the bikes across and jumped. The main Gayle Beck is thankfully crossed by a bridge as I have never seen this as high! All that was left to do was to put our head down and paddle back to the cars. Much laughter was had and we did decide that true hypothermia was when you went beyond the shivering violently stage. I find today (Saturday) that there is water sloshing round inside my tyres – so I have had to take them off to dry – not sure where that got in. "
Next Thursday it’s Lowick for the Grizedale ride, with the downhill into High Nibthwaite.