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)