It had been a wet morning but now was turning into a pleasant evening as 5 rolled out, the 5 were John (who had a new frame and was eager to test it out), George, Charlie (who had travelled all the way from Hong Kong to get to the ride), Joel, and Jamie (who arrived in his new wagon with horse attached)... but where's Grant? All will become clearer later!
It was left past Troutbeck church and through Limefitt caravan park, this was an optional loop but worth the climb to the gate for the descent to the Howe and back to the road. As we regrouped we noticed an additional car parked next to the others... Grant!
He was nowhere to be seen, he couldn't be seen climbing above the caravan park so we waited... and then slightly out of breath he arrived having sprinted up and down, and then there were 6.
From here it was left on Longmire Road and then the bridleway on the right, across the field, over the river and up the hill towards Town End, right onto the road and then left at the post office and up onto Robin Lane, past the houses where the road ends and the track begins. At the top we all regrouped at the bench and admired the view of the lake where it was noted that it was finally visibly after a season of winter night rides.
Jamie said he wasn't keen on the usual descent (straight down from the bench, over the road and down Wain Lane) and so he proceeded to scare us with tales of gnarly descents and tree roots instead; following his technical advice we decided to carry on towards Ambleside, through High Skelghyll and down through Jenkin Crag.
Practicing in Scotland had something to do with being able to ride this finally! and we all made it safely to the bottom of the gnarly rocky section despite the scary (whooping) descents through the woods. Jamie was so impressed I'd used all but 10mm of travel he even gave me some kind of salute, the kind of thing teenager's in baggy shorts do to each other, well, that's what I thought it was!
From Waterhead we picked up the road towards Brockhole and turned opposite the visitors centre to Merewood and Mirk Lane where we pushed up and watched Jamie nail both climbs, just to make us feel better he was helpfully holding the gate open at the top when we all finally arrived.
Once back on the road again we were on the final leg, a quick sprint on the road through Town End to troutbeck and a fast descent that drops down behind the church.
A superb ride, no chips, no drinks, get well soon Chris...
Next ride: 1st May 6.15 Red Lion, Lowick for Lowick common
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Monday, April 21, 2008
17th April 2008 - Britannia Inn, Elterwater
It was a chilly evening, and apparently already raining in Penrith which nearly halted some of the riders. 5 turned up (Grant, George, Joel, Phil and Paul) for a classic summer/winter ride and due to the weather nobody was quiet sure which this was!
It was left out of the NT car park and then the first right up towards the quarry, then right along the river and then up into the quarry passing the houses on the left. Once through the quarry it was a climb (and push) through Sawreys wood and then down towards Little Langdale.
At the road it was decided to take a right turn here and take a route that Phil hadn't tried before, this took us out past Little Langdale Tarn and to Fell Foot Bridge where we crossed and began up the technical rocky climb, this lead us up to the junction that leads down to Low Hall Garth climbing huts where we all stopped to regroup as another group of speedy (they must have been very young!) riders sped past.
We continued to climb upwards which took us away from the descent to the huts before the rocky 'whooping' descent around Low Tilberthwaite and then on to a brief loop of the playground that led on to a clatter up through the slates at Hodge Close.
A unanimous decision was then taken based on the number of the best downhills which could be fitted in before the light began to fade, this led us on to High Oxen Fell before headed to the NT woods at Tongue Intake plantation although I can't now find the route on the map!
At the bottom of the fast descent, remembering to brake before the wall! it was right over the stream and up to the road for the final road loop back to the Britannia for expensive chips and orange juice...
A surprisingly dry but cold evening despite the threat of rain.
Next week: 24th April - 6.15 meet at Troutbeck Church for Longmire Road & Wain Lane
It was left out of the NT car park and then the first right up towards the quarry, then right along the river and then up into the quarry passing the houses on the left. Once through the quarry it was a climb (and push) through Sawreys wood and then down towards Little Langdale.
At the road it was decided to take a right turn here and take a route that Phil hadn't tried before, this took us out past Little Langdale Tarn and to Fell Foot Bridge where we crossed and began up the technical rocky climb, this lead us up to the junction that leads down to Low Hall Garth climbing huts where we all stopped to regroup as another group of speedy (they must have been very young!) riders sped past.
We continued to climb upwards which took us away from the descent to the huts before the rocky 'whooping' descent around Low Tilberthwaite and then on to a brief loop of the playground that led on to a clatter up through the slates at Hodge Close.
A unanimous decision was then taken based on the number of the best downhills which could be fitted in before the light began to fade, this led us on to High Oxen Fell before headed to the NT woods at Tongue Intake plantation although I can't now find the route on the map!
At the bottom of the fast descent, remembering to brake before the wall! it was right over the stream and up to the road for the final road loop back to the Britannia for expensive chips and orange juice...
A surprisingly dry but cold evening despite the threat of rain.
Next week: 24th April - 6.15 meet at Troutbeck Church for Longmire Road & Wain Lane
Sunday, April 13, 2008
10th April 2008 - Crook Road for Winster
We parked at Crook village hall. Having enquired of the next door neighbour (out in his garden) whether the hall was going to be in use, he seemed to think not but advised us that we could double check by reading the notices pinned to the door. WI the previous evening, 'mothers and toddlers' on Friday morning but nothing on this Thursday evening.
John, Chris M, George and Charlie were the only ones who turned up on what turned out to be a glorious summer evening. Chris M recommended a route so we set off towards Crook taking the blind right hand turn towards the ‘Royal Crook Golf Club’ and then took the small road that turns off right over a cattle grid towards Crook Hall. Here it turns to bridleway with a mix of grassy tracks and skirting High House and Birk Moss. At Hart Howe it does a fantastic descent down to the road.
A right turn heading north up the small road and then left onto the bridleway past Crook Foot. As we reached the base of what is our usual descent to Thornyfields, George exclaimed that he knew where he was. Chris held the gate open and challenged us to ride to the top. This was accepted and accomplished by all although it was a level muddy patch that was nearly our downfall. Less success on the next rocky climb up Crag Lane and at this point Chris mentioned that this ride was a popular one with his family and usually took about three and a half hours. We were not yet at the turn-round point with a little less than an hour left of daylight.
The descent down to the ford and then the big climb up on the road up to Great Tower. We were shocked to find that the nice pile of road chippings that we had previously played on has been removed. So we had to set off across Birkett Houses Allotment, the pace had a certain sense of purpose but not so much that we could not enjoy the clear views across the high fells which were superb. Only Crinkle Crags having a few clouds shrouding their summits. Onwards and upwards over the green lane which as ever had puddles on the summit (doesn’t water run down hill – seemingly not). We popped out and headed up the lane to the Crook road near the Wild Boar Hotel and with the fading light, rear lights were switched on and it was decided that we should put Charlie on the front with the only front light and a pace line was formed to head back to the cars.Who knows what was happening but most of the population of Crook had parked in our car park. Fortunately we could all get out. We had just got to the Kendal bypass as the rain arrived so we got away with it! Next ride Britannia Inn, Elterwater.
John, Chris M, George and Charlie were the only ones who turned up on what turned out to be a glorious summer evening. Chris M recommended a route so we set off towards Crook taking the blind right hand turn towards the ‘Royal Crook Golf Club’ and then took the small road that turns off right over a cattle grid towards Crook Hall. Here it turns to bridleway with a mix of grassy tracks and skirting High House and Birk Moss. At Hart Howe it does a fantastic descent down to the road.
A right turn heading north up the small road and then left onto the bridleway past Crook Foot. As we reached the base of what is our usual descent to Thornyfields, George exclaimed that he knew where he was. Chris held the gate open and challenged us to ride to the top. This was accepted and accomplished by all although it was a level muddy patch that was nearly our downfall. Less success on the next rocky climb up Crag Lane and at this point Chris mentioned that this ride was a popular one with his family and usually took about three and a half hours. We were not yet at the turn-round point with a little less than an hour left of daylight.
The descent down to the ford and then the big climb up on the road up to Great Tower. We were shocked to find that the nice pile of road chippings that we had previously played on has been removed. So we had to set off across Birkett Houses Allotment, the pace had a certain sense of purpose but not so much that we could not enjoy the clear views across the high fells which were superb. Only Crinkle Crags having a few clouds shrouding their summits. Onwards and upwards over the green lane which as ever had puddles on the summit (doesn’t water run down hill – seemingly not). We popped out and headed up the lane to the Crook road near the Wild Boar Hotel and with the fading light, rear lights were switched on and it was decided that we should put Charlie on the front with the only front light and a pace line was formed to head back to the cars.Who knows what was happening but most of the population of Crook had parked in our car park. Fortunately we could all get out. We had just got to the Kendal bypass as the rain arrived so we got away with it! Next ride Britannia Inn, Elterwater.
Sunday, April 06, 2008
3rd April 2008 - Gilpin for Whitbarrow and meal
8 turned out for the beginning of the summer rides (Chris M, Jamie, Joel, Charlie, Grant, Paul, John, Phil). It should have been a 6.15 start but since we hadn't seen Phil or John for the last 6 months the conversations continued until we finally left the Gilpin Bridge car park at 7ish...
Once off, 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. Taking a right on to the road we climbed up the hill on the road towards and then the left turn at the top of the hill, then the left fork towards Witherslack Hall farm, through the gate and up onto the tops of Yewbarrow.
It was a pleasant evening unlike the previous winter ride so we stopped briefly at the entrance to the woods at the top of Yewbarrow for everyone to catch up. On the route through the woods we all joked about Jamie's tree, that he had to saw on the previous ride, it was still there and it was now used as a small technical obsticle to jump over.
On the descent back down to the road, it was Jamie again who had his saw out! This time another large tree was crossing the path at an oblique angle, so we watched as he began the forestry work. 5 minutes later another piece of north shore was taking shape!
Back on the road it was a fast paced race back to towards the pub, on the corner of the road we received local teenage abuse, first directed at Jamie - 'get a specialized' to which Jamie (at speed) was shouting a response about the patent of the turner and how specialized had based the designs on the Turner model, to be honest I don't think they could hear him based on the speed he was going! Posh abuse continued until it stopped with Paul and Chris M who were at least riding Specialized. Then it was up the hill towards Buckhouse Wood and down the final descent to the pub for a meal.
Chris T and Jim turned up for the evening meal which was followed by much debate about the summer season rides and the first ride was finally settled after 4 large puddings arrived...
Next week
Crook Road parking near the village hall 6.15(ish)
Once off, 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. Taking a right on to the road we climbed up the hill on the road towards and then the left turn at the top of the hill, then the left fork towards Witherslack Hall farm, through the gate and up onto the tops of Yewbarrow.
It was a pleasant evening unlike the previous winter ride so we stopped briefly at the entrance to the woods at the top of Yewbarrow for everyone to catch up. On the route through the woods we all joked about Jamie's tree, that he had to saw on the previous ride, it was still there and it was now used as a small technical obsticle to jump over.
On the descent back down to the road, it was Jamie again who had his saw out! This time another large tree was crossing the path at an oblique angle, so we watched as he began the forestry work. 5 minutes later another piece of north shore was taking shape!
Back on the road it was a fast paced race back to towards the pub, on the corner of the road we received local teenage abuse, first directed at Jamie - 'get a specialized' to which Jamie (at speed) was shouting a response about the patent of the turner and how specialized had based the designs on the Turner model, to be honest I don't think they could hear him based on the speed he was going! Posh abuse continued until it stopped with Paul and Chris M who were at least riding Specialized. Then it was up the hill towards Buckhouse Wood and down the final descent to the pub for a meal.
Chris T and Jim turned up for the evening meal which was followed by much debate about the summer season rides and the first ride was finally settled after 4 large puddings arrived...
Next week
Crook Road parking near the village hall 6.15(ish)
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