23rd August 2007 - Selside for Borrowdale A6

Only 3 riders Jamie, George and Paul met at Selside village hall on one of the few glorious summers evenings this year. We set off down the A6 towards Shap turning right after about ½ mile to take the bridleway at Forest Hall which leads to the Whinfell road. Turning right we followed the road until we reached the surfaced bridleway that leads to Whinfell beacon. Jamie of course lead the way to the top of the hill and provided some excellent flap jack so that we could recover from the climb. Paul suggested that we cycled up to the second mast so we could see the view down into Tebay valley. The views were spectacular in all directions including the Lakeland hills and the coast at Heysham.
We then proceeded down the boggy decent and still managed to lose the track as we had done a few weeks ago. The ride continued along the Borrowdale valley to the climb up to the A6 more flap jack before proceeding to the bridleway just next to the caravan sales on the right of the A6. We dashed along the bridleway as the light was starting to fail enjoying the final downhill before joining the road at Thorn cottage. The light was completely lost as the road entered a wood before joining the A6 opposite the village hall. An excellent ride with the best weather I have ever experienced on this ride over the past 5 years. Thanks George.
Next ride is at Ings 6.15pm.

16th August 2007 - Hawkshead for Grizedale

It was the middle of August summer holiday, so the weather was warm and barmy with only a few spots of the grey stuff, the traffic was slow so it took some folk longer to arrive than others! After some mechanical prep' with a 10mm allen key ("last minute.maintenance", no names, NZ with a Cannondale!). 5 of us set off up the bridleway from Hawkshead village heading west past Walker ground to climb up to Low Park and join the North Face (NF) route, I will not describe the route as we followed the NF. There is some construction going on at the visitors centre, new parking areas etc, (still doesn't change the fact that the access roads are narrow local lanes). We had a good climb up from the visitor centre, the boards we not too bad (Eh Grant?) and I managed to get to the top without dabbing, for only the second time! We stopped at the top for a choc' break and to take a look at a small square of blue sky over to the south! Onward just enjoying the trail, the odd bit of cloud droplets but nothing worth mentioning! Round we continued, spotting a buzzard looking for supper, deciding we were too big a meal, except possibly CT, but not worth a meal! Round to the last section and JB experienced a deer jumping clear over the singletrack just in front of him, not sure who would be most startled, a 6' deer looking for tea or JBs 6'5" looking for some downhill? Now the last section of downhill to Hawkshead, just as it was getting dark, all back to the cars. Next week its the A6 north of Kendal, park near village hall 3/4 mile past the Plough Inn, near Selside.

9th August 2007 - Hartsop for Ullswater

9 riders (including a new chap) turned out on a beautiful summers evening, (at least for August 2007). Basically we ride north and then navigate clockwise or anti-clockwise around part of Ullswater, so we had a little chat about routes, knowing pretty much that we were going anti-clockwise, either way we get a big hill in and this way we do it early in the ride, you know a traditional RADs warm up! So setting out from the small carpark in Hartsop village head back to the road, but turn right down a track just before the main road take this bridleway north towards Dubhow and take the hill climb up to Boredale Hause. This is one steep climb and gets steeper as you go up, so by halfway you will be doing well to keep riding, near the top and it's even hard just to push the bikes over. So we regrouped just after the stream and admired the view, after a few minutes of chat we continued up and over into Boredale valley, the cut through is rocky and technical, you either have to be very committed or get off and walk, so we walked. Enjoy the descent down the valley, meet up at the gate and we get the first mechanical, Jamie punctured on his hardtail. Head along the track and onto the lane, take the left fork and just before Sandwick turn off left up a grassy track, take this bridleway and follow the edge of Ullswater, after a little climbing we rested for cookies, but not too long as the midges were out. Continue round enjoying the testing rocky route, watch out for Jamies broken chain (the second mechanical) also watch out for the staircase rocks, they are a tester. Round the corner and near Silver bay there is a choice and there is a alternative bridleway which climbs steeply up (i.e. carry the bike for a bit) and then take the higher track, this goes higher than the farm and means coming back via Rooking, which was the way we went, all except David who stayed on the lower track and eventually beat us back to the cars. Once at Rooking its back via the main road as there is no bridleway direct to Hartsop, so a little road race to warm down! Next ride is Grisedale from Hawkshead, 6.15pm.

2nd August 2007 - Sedburgh for Dent

9 riders turned out for the Dent special, because it was sunny and involves a pub stop half way round! We parked at the free carpark to the south end of town. Chris still managed to find us (there are 2 car parks apparently) then we set off south on the Millthrop road, go over the river Rawthey and take the 1st left, then right in the hamlet to take a lane up onto the fell. This is the first bit of off-road and a little tester, once over the first rocky section it is plain sailing, except Grant took a off going up hill on a grassy slope and he blamed George who was ahead of him! At the first gate time for a breather and take a look at the view back over the Howgills and which route we could take in the future....?
Carry on over the fell, through the trees, past the farm, down the track, once onto the road, take the first right after 20 yards, heading down to the ford crossing, Chris stopped just short of the ford to survey the scene, others took this to mean that we were riding the ford, it was fairly low considering this summers weather! Jamie went first (on his hardtail, forgetting he was not on his 29ers, so he got his feet wet!) then John and Chris had a go, the rest of us took the bridge!!! Cross up onto the road which is the Dales Way and head for Gawthrop, wait for a herd of cows heading home and then attack the first climb up Barbondale road (it's only 1km of hill, really) test those legs, get to South Lord's land take the first bridleway on the left and have a rest, jelly babies all round. Ian even stripped off his shorts, luckily he had some others underneath, else it may have been a storey for the local herald. Head along Green lane to meet up with the bridleway at the top, turn left and enjoy the descent into Dent, where we negociated some portions of chips and some beer. Once the refreshments had been consumed and the midges came out, we headed off, some asking which direction; were we to head for Frostrow Fells or head back the way we had come, in the end we headed back down the road heading for Sedburgh, but we stopped at Gate Manor and retraced our steps; although a few voiced concern for there was some uphill, in the end the whole group teamed up for an enjoyable finish to the ride, back on the road a few (CM & GA tried to sprint to the finish, but CT still had some legs left!) All those who headed out at the start made it back in one piece. Next time it's meet at Hartsop 6.15pm for Ullswater round.