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
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