20th December 2007 - Staveley - Green Quarter

3 turned up for an icy ride, it was cold but had not rained for a while, we stayed on the east side of the valley and headed up towards Staveley Head, we decided to carry on past Birk Rigg and then go left to Green Quarter. No real dramas but some ice, including a trough with water in which Jamie rode through, thus breaking the ice, C&C decided to go left to avoid said icy water and while Chris tried to ride up the bank his rear wheel hit ice and over he went, no real fall, except for banging his left knee on the handlebar, ouch! It was a very clear night, stars were out with a 90% moon and visibility was good, so you could see the trail without lights. We also spied some lights on the west side of the valley above the tarn, we thought they were bikes, but they moved very slowly and not in the usual direction, very strange. Once we hit the lane at Green Quarter we headed south, now the night was cold but with little wind did not feel freezing, until we whizzed downhill and the wind-chill hit home, it was cold sliding along the lane, we continued to pick up the route back via long houses, half way up we stopped at a gate and enjoyed some of Jamie's mini stollen, there was plenty for everyone, even after C had eaten 3 or more, something about training for the holidays. We then turned right at Staveley Head for the HP experience, now due to the frost the usual puddles and bog we solid so the route was ride able all the way down! The a road ride home, all very enjoyable. Next official note ride 3rd Jan' at Ings.

13th December 2007 - Troutbeck

6 turned up on a cold crisp night, some even had lights, Eh George! We wrapped up and set off heading north up the road to the caravan site at Limefitt park, where we took the bridleway up to the start of Garburn, but at the junction we turned right to enjoy the downhill, after a little fun on the testing climb for CT and JB. Onward and downward, we all made it in one piece to the road and then cycled south along the road, albeit along the path squeezing past the fences to the gate at the start of the bridleway down through the field and up onto Town End. Go right along the lanes to start of Robin Lane, climbing up to the first seat where we took in the views and enjoyed some of Charlie's festive cake (recipe to follow once the recipe web page has been born!). Now take the downhill rocky blast down to the road, where at the bottom Paul had a puncture, fixed by the light from Georges christmas tree decoration lights. Once complete head down Wain Lane for more hard rocks hidden under soft leaves, no punctures, just some bouncy bike handling, especially for the hardtails! Once at the main road turn right and head up the next bridleway behind Merewood, now this can be a testing climb, but it helps when the gate is open so no chance for a rest! Once onto Holbeck Lane carry on through Town End and take the bridleway around high fold that comes out by the church. A pretty good route once the fingers and toes had chance to warm up. Next ride is a pre-Christmas route from Barley Bridge, Staveley.

6th December 2007 - Elterwater for Loughrigg

Some folk were put off by the weather, midly damp conditions, but 4 souls turned up, some under offer of a pub visit no matter what...anyway under a light drizzle we set off up the tarmac hill to climb Walthwaite Bottom! towards high close youth hostel, via some off-road, while near the top we commented on Jamies HID becomming dimmer, guess what...it ran out, this was not a good omen as we usually added light from the HID, but Ian and Charlie both had Li-ons and we should be OK. We continued to take the Loughrigg terrance bridleway descent, Ian and Jamie (no lights) both overtook me on the way down and we nearly over-shot the turn to the cave, just a little detour. Then round the lane along the River Rothay and then UP past Miller Brow to find out how the work has been going to the path over the top, it was sandy and boggy in places, maybe it will settle down?? Then downhill to enjoy, we even heard some shouts & crys from Charlie as she actually made it down the rocky corner without coming off, Horray! Then tour round Loughrigg tarn and up the road passing under the youth hostel and back down the bridleway to Elterwater enjoying the little testing corner at the end. All very good so we sent for a beer. Next ride from Troutbeck, park in the lay-by by Church Bridge.

29th November 2007 - Staveley around Green Quarter

5 met up at Barley Bridge and discussed the route choices, someone raised the Stile End to Sadgill rocky route or perhaps cut out some of the climbing and head along Cocklaw Fell, but this maybe boggy someone said....so anyway we headed up Hall Lane, left across the field before Stavely Head, down through the 2 streams, along past Green Quarter (a couple of dogs barking a friendly hello!) on up High Lane and right up Stile End, here goes (first battery gave up, 3 more just in case!) it's a rocky path but not too bad, once at the top, the rocks get larger and it becomes a challenge, again it was do-able, just! At the gate someone decided to tee off along the fell 'cause it was heading for a late one, so off we went just to see how boggy it could be....? and the answer is boggy, the idea is to let someone else ride in front to test the water so to speak, but Grant and George kept coming off, so what can you do! but plough on literally. Anyway we eventually got back to Hall Beck and headed back to the cars, a little damp but all OK after our expedition, basiclly it may be worth trying the route at a dryer time (when ever that maybe). Next ride is Elterwater for Loughrigg, unless we decide to divert!???