18th October 2007 - Elterwater for Iron Keld

6 came out for some fun around Elterwater, leave the NT car park and turn left and then immediate right, take the lane up and tee off to the right for a route around the Weir Quarry and the west side of Yew crags, enjoy the technical climbing test and through the trees down and along to the gate, where we met 2 other MTBers going the other way, it's not often we see any other bikers. Then down the lane to the ford, no takers so over the bridge and straight round to stag end, where we took the lane to Hodge close. Then head east, up and over the rocky section and down to the road, cross straight over and up to Iron Keld plantation. Time for a jelly baby stop, not quite yet, lets get to the top someone said...so we did, although Grants lights were holding up, Charlies were running down, so the downhill could be interesting, at the top Charlie bribed us all with Jelly babies so we would light the way down the hill for her, 'cause it's no fun downhill without lights (unless your name is Ian). Lit by a glow-worm Charlie set off trying to read the track by our borrowed lights, very tricky, maybe some 'Li-on' batteries are called for, more Roar for your £; so we made it down in one piece, then back on the road. In the pub for a few drinks, well more outside really. Next time its Winster, park near the Church.

11th October 2007 - Ings for Garburn

5 trusty soles eventually turned up, but not before George and I had decided the route, that being clockwise, so that we could hopefully exercise our demons from last year, when we both crashed out! So we set off and worked out way up past Dubbs, after passing a 4x4 who seemed unnerved by a bunch of MTBers? this route does involve a gentle amount of climbing to start leading onto much steeper climbing up the Garburn road, so much so that a few of us dabbed occasionally and even stopped for breath, on account of the view you understand! We had a cake break near the top at a convenient stopping point, cheers George, although I blame the excessive cake intake for not cleaning the downhill on the way down!!! After the top look out for the boulders and enjoy the downhill, I had a couple of dabs, but could hear Grant whooping his way down the Garburn pass and onto Crabtree Brow, but maybe it was his joy at having his lights working! After the descent we went round to Kentmere Hall and up the track to Mickle Moss, we went through a few gates and worked our way back, I lost the others at the fork and decided to go left to test the track past Hugill Hall, but no one was to be seem so I pressed on, down past the old farm and on to the rocky singletrack, still no sign so I headed back to the cars....where I found the others, all except Jamie, who had gone back up, apparently they all shot down past St. Anns farm as it was quicker, so Jamie ended up going back up the track and did the circuit I did past the old farm, where he heard the barking dogs and wondered if I'd been eaten, but no (not enough meat!) so we all regrouped eventually, next time we must all pay attention to the pre-ride briefing, so turn up early! Garburn is always fun, you just need to warm up!! Next ride is Elterwater.

4th October 2007 - Barbon

5 turned out for the usable Bardon fell ride, basically you climb up, along, up some more tarmac, up some off-road, have a rest star gazing, eat some 'all-sorts', climb some more, splash through some mud, blast down tarmac and then start to navigate the last major downhill section, basically the section we all are waiting for, one or two dabs and we were down. Regroup and cross the river, at least Paul had a go, he has never been across this river before! so he got his feet wet, we continued to the last gate and re-grouped for a group hammer down the track to Barbon drive, all very enjoyable, not too cold. Much discussion about the areoplane routes, as we would see the plane flashing lights through the clear night sky, where were they all going...? and also how would all the rugby teams do, Grant (NZ) said it was Australian v's All Blacks semi-final, but what does he know!! Next ride from Ings for Garburn but which way round??

27th September 2007 - Staveley Green quarter and 2 rivers

6 met up at Barley Bridge, even Phil turned out to say hello, although he was on his 'Surly' and not going off-road on it. We set off all bright and cheery north up Hall Lane to go past Staveley Head Fell, we carried on to Green quarter to check if those dogs were still around! The climb is quite tricky especially as this was the first real night ride. At the road we headed down to Kentmere and took in a little technical tree route to test nagigation and skill. Onward and up past Kentmere hall past Mould Rigg and Whiteside End to the gates at the top, then down to the fords, these were passable with care, the waters getting cold this time of year. Down to Croft Head, right at Ullthwaite bridge and herd those sheep to Browfoot, back onto the tarmac lane and a freewheel race back to the cars, OK so there was some peddling as well. Lights all tested OK (Charlie get that cable connection sorted out!) now ready for Barbon next ride, being the 4th October.