22nd November 2007 - Haverthwaite

5 (the usual suspects) met up at the Anglers Arms and set off for the usual circuit, although we have an idea for an alternative route, once some daylight recces have been done...more later. Chris M produced a map and asked which route, it went something like this...go south down the lane, turn left at the road junction and left again to take a bridleway along the River Leven, we re-grouped and pumped some more air into Ian's rear shock and also heard a tale about a pheasant trying to beat Jamie up (we hear some tall tales while out riding) the track comes out at low brow edge, where we head up the lane, passing a person out smoking, we only knew they were there when they said hello from the dark shadows. After a short but steep climb there is a bridleway on the left, take this and work through a few muddy puddles, it comes out by Canny Hill, turn right and follow the lane until you cross over the main road and head up Barrow Banks, once past the radio mast look for a bridleway on the left. At this point we think there is another possible route going further up the hill and enjoying a route back round to meet up, but we left the research for another time,'cause it was dark and we did not want to get lost...again! We enjoyed the latest cake creation by Jamie, cheers and headed down the hill to Staveley in Cartmel, just watch out for Chris and George sliding about in the mud. Head on to Newby Bridge and past Lakeside, round to Finsthwaite and eventually join up with the bridleway downhill to water side house, here we took the strainght track route back to backbarrow, but not before Chris had a puncture! All fixed and back to the pub for crisps and beer. Next ride at Kentmere, park at Barley Bridge.

15th November 2007 - Gilpin Bridge Inn

5 of us met up in the pub car park and duly set off the usual way heading for the Sustrans bridge, but Paul mentioned something about route planning about 3m out of the car park, my brain cells communicated in their usual methodical way, i.e. slowly! and said what about going the other direction, so all change. We set off down the A5074, it was heard said that we used to go this way on summer rides, so it can't be so bad? We discussed that we did not have to go all the way along the main road but could tee off left down the lanes, so we did and we looked again for a lane on the left which would take us up the track and off-road. In a while we came to some houses and looked for the left turn, only thing was every left turn took us down someones drive or to a footpath, so we eventually had to turn back for a while. A few of us had done the ride before but not in the dark! Anyway we eventually found the track, you have to go back onto the main road for a few yards and then turn left, an easy mistake, anyone could make!!
So on up the correct track past fellside plantation, it's a lane lined with arching Yew trees, very nice. Have a rest by the gate and then hammer down the track, at the bottom discuss which way now? down by the lime kiln or over to Fell Edge and see how the re-build has gone, or we went along to Fell Edge to find that the bridleway has been diverted in front of the new house, so we blasted down the driveway and onto the lane. Continue on the lanes in southerly direction past Town End and Pool Bank, check out all the barn conversions (in the dark?) at the fork in the road we discuss where to go, do we go left along the tarmac or right and up the muddy bridleway, right of course and the climb was not too bad, a tad muddy but rideable all the way! We re-grouped at the Witherslack school junction, where Paul provided sticky cake, spot on. From here it's a route along Yewbarrow and onto the great downhill, although Chris's rear suspension was sagging and so he took it slowly, just breathing down my neck. Now back through Town End (the other one) and enjoy the downhill under Whitbarrow and White Scar.
Thought for the day: Have you ever noticed that when mountain bikers stop for a Wee and I do not mean the playstation thingie, they may stop at the bottom of a hill, but a downhiller will have a wee after the downhill, thus taking more weight for added gravity and a climber will stop at the bottom before a climb to reduce weight, just a thought!! Next ride at Haverthwaite, Ian's favourite!

8th November 2007 - Far Sawrey for Claife Heights

4 of us survived the bonfire celebrations and parked up in Far Sawrey; whilst getting out of our warm vehicles we noticed that the evening was a tad cold and windy, we had thoughts of visiting a pub fire, but being true outdoor soles we carried on...although Grant did try the regular excuse of 'my lights are not working' , no luck so off we set up the first hill, it's always Bl*#dy UpHill, came the cry! The route was the usual anti-clockwise circuit from the pub, so climb a bit with the aim of the great downhill to the shore line of Windermere, this is fun and recently there has been some work to the trail so you need to keep your wits about you. At the bottom run along the shore, it was very peaceful (as all the sensible folk were tucked up at home or at the pub!) and quiet riding along the water on this night, we wondered about taking a left turn to find a short cut and avoid the climb to basecamp, but we were not sure and did not want the walk up the steps so we carried on. On the actual climb to basecamp Grants lights turned to glow-worms, so he was looking for a quick ride back, of course we were now on the other side of Claife Heights and so there was no short cut. At the same time my head lamp went out and it was due to a broken cable joint, but at least I had a spare light in my bike, so we soldiered on. The 3 of us took the fun detour from the guideposts and met up with Grant on the fire road, after he borrowed Jamies spare torch; SO remember boys and girls always carry a spare torch, because when it's dark, it's DARK!!! Next we worked our way along the top track and down past the tarns, the rocky downhill and river crossing back to the cars. Grant muttering about sending his lights off to the workshop, anyhow Jamie and I went to the pub to check out the log burning stove and it works! Next ride is from Gilpin Bridge.

1s November 2007 - Lowick to Satterthwaite

6 turned out a Lowick special, yet again we did the Grizedale route when Charlie turns up, apparently she has yet to do the western route, maybe in Feb' 08? George had a moment when he said he had left his lights at home, but was rescued by Charlie who had a spare with her. So it was the usual route up towards Nibthwaite Grange, turn right and UP Bletherbarrow lane, tee off-road and over to Ickenthwaite, where Ian and Paul were racing downhill, Ian's bike decided to buck him off and he ended in some bushes, no damage done. Blast down Corker lane, watch those leaves, it may be slippy with the dampness, but we was going too fast and it was too dark to see any danger! At Force Forge take the left hand short cut for a quick up and over, George to his credit cleared the whole thing, we all dabbed. Then it's the Moor lane challenge, a good test, until you get into the forrest proper then it's just bloody hard work. Mind you the dampness in the air was forming droplets on the vegetation and the fallen leaves appeared to be golden-like... at least to part of the brain, anything to take your mind off the pain. Once over to Parkamoor is was basically a downhill fun ride, all except for Grant, whose lights were going out, so he borrowed some of Charlies li-ons, half way down Ian's lights knonked out, just at the interesting rocky section, so now we were half way down and 25% without lights, although Ian usually rides faster downhill when he has no lights! We all made it down safely and we just had to cycle along the lane for a mile or so, no real bother until the inevitable last race, of course Ian and Grant could not overtake, 'cause they had no lights, Georges were running low, but we all had a bash at racing, just for fun. A jolly good ride, Ian & I stayed for a drink and the new publicans offered to make us sandwiches even though the ovens were off, jolly good shout for the Red Lion. Next ride at Far Sawrey.

25th October 2007 - Winster

7 turned out for the Winster round circuit, but which way round? We started downhill a few hundred yards, until a left turn to Crag Lane, where my 1st battery gave out (after my headlamp bulb blew) so we enjoyed Charlies new Li-on with extra brightness! On up the track, cross over the road heading past Bow Mabble Breast, left at the lane and up the tarmac past Batemen Fold, take the right road and look for a left turn up past Stonehills Tarn, enjoy the descent back to the main road, now we came back to the cars, as we were doing a figure of eight circuit. Down to the ford to enjoy the tarmac climb, steady progress to the top, where we re-grouped to go past Cote and green hill, enjoying the lane back towards high house farm, George and Charlie swapped bikes to compare, both liked their own steed. Once back at the road cycle back to the cars, with a little detours past Broom hill. A couple of us decided to try the pub, as it has had a makeover with new owners, someone else thought we meant meet at the Gilpin, so in the end no one met up for a drink, rubbish organising, at least the next ride meets at a pub! The Red Lion at Lowick.