Saturday, February 23, 2008
21st February 2008 - Lowick & west
Luckily GT and JB turned up, as the others were not sure of the route and the local guide was probably enjoying his log burning stove. We set off south-west from the Red Lion at Lowick Bridge, past Lowick Hall take the first right hand lane, follow this and ignore the first left (we nearly did not!) take a bridleway, Long Lane, up to a farm, Kiln Bank, turn right thru' a gate and on past the barns to a second gate. This area is Subberthwaite Bank, where we went past 2 other MTBers going in the opposite direction, it was muddy, veer right and follow the track up towards the lane, where JP famously caught us up one Christmas with fairly lights on his helmet! Continue up the lane past Tottlebank and follow the bridleway west, cross over the lane (we did not stop as it was windy) and keep going to enjoy the downhill, turn right at the road near Fell Gate, blast down the road for a mile and look for a bridleway on the right hand side. Now enjoy the climb up, it's a tester, or just walk some and chat! This gets you to Woodland Fell, there are some alternatives, but we shall wait for summer evenings when we can see where we are going! head east to Cockenskell and follow the lanes back to Blawith, back on the main road and right turn back to the pub. Here we enjoyed beer thanks to JB's credit card and Grant did a Rodney (you know a straw and umbrella in his drink!!!). Next ride is Troutbeck.
Thursday, February 14, 2008
TUESDAY 12th February 2007 - Gilpin for Whitbarrow
In a change to tradition there was to be a Tuesday ride, as some folk wanted to keep some Valentine's sweet.
The story unfolds...Gilpin Bridge (alternatively now known as the Death Ride (only by CSC & JP -Ed)) It was a wild and windy night... Oh no that was two weeks ago, this evening it was a calm and still night with a slither of a moon. Joel and Grant were there promptly at the 18.26 nominated time, Charlie had left Windsor at 1.45 that afternoon and made it by just after 18.30 and Jamie learnt that last time riding from Kendal had meant that he missed us so drove this time and still nearly missed us.
Setting off we realised that it was going to be a chilly evening, it was the usual route over the foot/cycle-bridge towards Ravens Lodge, up the bridleway that runs along the side of Whitbarrow and then at the bottom of the first descent taking the sharp right and continue on to Beck Head where the road ends and the trail continues towards Witherslack Hall. At this point Jamie persuaded us that his last Biketreks ride knew that the left hand track on through the gate was in fact a footpath and the small track to the right was the bridleway. An ambiguously positioned “no cycling or horses” sign between the two options we decided must refer to the main track as horses had certainly been along the small path to the right. A great little single track with some rocky sections which ends up in the fields that climb up to Witherslack Hall entrance. Strange how the gate at this end says clearly “No Cycles”.
We took the left fork towards Witherslack Hall farm and then through the gate and up onto the tops of Yewbarrow. The open ground was much easier going with no wind. We stopped briefly at the entrance to the woods at the top of Yewbarrow while Jamie tried to fix Grants gears and we were off again. We knew that there was a tree ahead that had been blown across the path in the storm. We checked if Jamie had his fold up saw and then watched him chop it out of the way to create a nice little ‘hop’. We headed back on the road to the last climb and Grant took a big off on one of the corners – falling on the same hand that he had damaged last weekend on the golf course. A round of chips back at the pub ended an out of routine Tuesday evening ride. The down side of going out on a Tuesday is that there are still 3 more work days. words by charlie. Next week it's the Red Lion at Lowick (East or West route...?)
The story unfolds...Gilpin Bridge (alternatively now known as the Death Ride (only by CSC & JP -Ed)) It was a wild and windy night... Oh no that was two weeks ago, this evening it was a calm and still night with a slither of a moon. Joel and Grant were there promptly at the 18.26 nominated time, Charlie had left Windsor at 1.45 that afternoon and made it by just after 18.30 and Jamie learnt that last time riding from Kendal had meant that he missed us so drove this time and still nearly missed us.
Setting off we realised that it was going to be a chilly evening, it was the usual route over the foot/cycle-bridge towards Ravens Lodge, up the bridleway that runs along the side of Whitbarrow and then at the bottom of the first descent taking the sharp right and continue on to Beck Head where the road ends and the trail continues towards Witherslack Hall. At this point Jamie persuaded us that his last Biketreks ride knew that the left hand track on through the gate was in fact a footpath and the small track to the right was the bridleway. An ambiguously positioned “no cycling or horses” sign between the two options we decided must refer to the main track as horses had certainly been along the small path to the right. A great little single track with some rocky sections which ends up in the fields that climb up to Witherslack Hall entrance. Strange how the gate at this end says clearly “No Cycles”.
We took the left fork towards Witherslack Hall farm and then through the gate and up onto the tops of Yewbarrow. The open ground was much easier going with no wind. We stopped briefly at the entrance to the woods at the top of Yewbarrow while Jamie tried to fix Grants gears and we were off again. We knew that there was a tree ahead that had been blown across the path in the storm. We checked if Jamie had his fold up saw and then watched him chop it out of the way to create a nice little ‘hop’. We headed back on the road to the last climb and Grant took a big off on one of the corners – falling on the same hand that he had damaged last weekend on the golf course. A round of chips back at the pub ended an out of routine Tuesday evening ride. The down side of going out on a Tuesday is that there are still 3 more work days. words by charlie. Next week it's the Red Lion at Lowick (East or West route...?)
Saturday, February 09, 2008
7th February 2008 - Satterthwaite for Grizedale
5 met up at the lay-by at the end of Moor Lane bridleway south of Satterthwaite village, we had a little debate on route as Ian had not been out much, we headed north up the road to take the Bogle Crag route into the forrest. At the top of the hill Ian decided to tee off right and ease back down while the rest of us headed left, after negociating the toads that seemed to be taking up the tracks we eventually came out at the Fox, here we went left and met up with the bridleway down to the visitor centre, this is a rocky route, full sussers preferred! We continued up into Grizedale via the start of the NF route, with Grant taking care when walking the planks, at the top we followed the NF for a ways and then at a cross-roads we went straight on and worked our way towards the west side of Satterthwaite to meet up with the top of Moor lane to enjoy the rocky descent to the cars. It was dark but mild night very enjoyable. Next ride is up for debate as a few folk say they can't make February 14!!! and our making alternative arrangements for a Tuesday (see emails) Next planned ride is 21 Feb' at Lowick.
Monday, February 04, 2008
31st January 2008 - Lyth (death) Valley
Gilpin Bridge (alternatively now known as the Death Ride) words by JP.
It was a wild and windy night... and although JP had attempted to email and rally the troops only the TG was man enough to brave the elements (apologies to TG who isn't a man, and also to Jamie who did turn up 5 minutes after we had left the car park but seems to have had a better time riding with the Biketreks group).
Setting off into a strong head wind set the scene for the rest of the ride, it was the usual route over the foot/cycle-bridge towards Ravens Lodge, up the bridleway that runs along the side of Whitbarrow and then at the bottom of the first descent taking the sharp right and continue on to Beck Head where the road ends and the trail continues towards Witherslack Hall. It was at this stage that the wind was whistling across the lower fields and knocking the bikes off course, the wind then died down as we approached the road as we climbed up to Witherslack Hall. The TG was waiting/sheltering at the top of the climb as the wind was beginning to get stronger the higher we went.
We took the left fork towards Witherslack Hall farm and then through the gate and up onto the tops of Yewbarrow. Once again we struggled across the open ground and we were being blown by the wind in all directions but the chosen route. We stopped briefly at the entrance to the woods at the top of Yewbarrow but felt that this was not the best place to be in storm force 9 winds, and even though I had brought enough flapjack for 6 we only had time to consume half a piece between us. A quick call to TG HQ to confirm our last location (in case help was required???) and we were off again.
There was no time to consider the descent, with the wind howling as loud as an approaching freight train and having had to carry bikes over a felled tree we decided not to hang around. It was a relief to be back on the road and now with the wind behind us we sped along back to the bottom of the first descent. As we climbed up the hill towards Buckhouse Wood, TG suddenly appeared to sprint ahead and disappeared at the top of the climb. It soon became apparent why as the wind was whipping around us and spiralling debris was circling the track, the deep roaring sound of the wind was gusting and propelling us up the hill, we momentarily stopped before the final descent to once again suggest that we really shouldn't be here!
This turned out to be a short ride in storm force 9 winds that took 1 1/2 hours before we were back in the pub. This was not so much powered by cake and chips, but by the wind, fear and flapjack.
Next week: Satterthwaite
It was a wild and windy night... and although JP had attempted to email and rally the troops only the TG was man enough to brave the elements (apologies to TG who isn't a man, and also to Jamie who did turn up 5 minutes after we had left the car park but seems to have had a better time riding with the Biketreks group).
Setting off into a strong head wind set the scene for the rest of the ride, it was the usual route over the foot/cycle-bridge towards Ravens Lodge, up the bridleway that runs along the side of Whitbarrow and then at the bottom of the first descent taking the sharp right and continue on to Beck Head where the road ends and the trail continues towards Witherslack Hall. It was at this stage that the wind was whistling across the lower fields and knocking the bikes off course, the wind then died down as we approached the road as we climbed up to Witherslack Hall. The TG was waiting/sheltering at the top of the climb as the wind was beginning to get stronger the higher we went.
We took the left fork towards Witherslack Hall farm and then through the gate and up onto the tops of Yewbarrow. Once again we struggled across the open ground and we were being blown by the wind in all directions but the chosen route. We stopped briefly at the entrance to the woods at the top of Yewbarrow but felt that this was not the best place to be in storm force 9 winds, and even though I had brought enough flapjack for 6 we only had time to consume half a piece between us. A quick call to TG HQ to confirm our last location (in case help was required???) and we were off again.
There was no time to consider the descent, with the wind howling as loud as an approaching freight train and having had to carry bikes over a felled tree we decided not to hang around. It was a relief to be back on the road and now with the wind behind us we sped along back to the bottom of the first descent. As we climbed up the hill towards Buckhouse Wood, TG suddenly appeared to sprint ahead and disappeared at the top of the climb. It soon became apparent why as the wind was whipping around us and spiralling debris was circling the track, the deep roaring sound of the wind was gusting and propelling us up the hill, we momentarily stopped before the final descent to once again suggest that we really shouldn't be here!
This turned out to be a short ride in storm force 9 winds that took 1 1/2 hours before we were back in the pub. This was not so much powered by cake and chips, but by the wind, fear and flapjack.
Next week: Satterthwaite
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