So it wasn't to be, no Ribblehead to Dent and back epic mid-summer ride...gutted, but erring on the side of caution.
One day we'll to the ride and post the route, until then get out and ride! ENJOY.
Next week it's Lowick.
Friday, June 27, 2008
Saturday, June 21, 2008
19th June 2008 - Ings for Garburn
'Garburn'...but which way round? whilst I was waiting near the Watermill at Ings, I was thinking clockwise or anti-clockwise or is it into Kentmere or out of Kentmere, who knows...! Anyhow John turned up looking at the clouds wondering what to wear; Neil turned up after thinking the rain in Windermere might mean he stayed home and did some work, but no the lure of a RADs ride got him out; George turned up to make it 4...what no Paul (too painful), no Grant (too damp), no Joel (too busy), no Jamie (probably cycled out to Staveley instead) and no Charlie (out collecting passport stamps).
So 4 it was, I talked everyone into the clockwise route, meaning heading up the lane to Dubbs as a nice warm up, past Dubbs and the first gate was open (with a Volvo parked up), open gates mean no rest as we pause to open them, this became an ongoing theme for the evening. Then we tackled the steady climb up Garburn which makes a ridable challenge, I say rideable 'cause one day I'll do it! Nice views on the way up, we tried to decipher where we rode the Tongue in Troutbeck valley. Once at the top we talked downhills, just watch those rocks. Nice and steady, not too bad, it's a great descent just go easy. How come it only takes 2 minutes to drop down to the first brook, then a ride down looking for Joel's ravine! Re-group at the bottom turn right and head up to 3 rivers, bottom gate was open so straight through, then I got to the first set of double gates and held them open so the boys could keep going, a few choice words muttered under breaths (help or hindrance), anyhow George made sure he got to one of the top gates just to have a rest. Next were the 2 rivers, these were reasonably deep, so no chance of dry feet, keep going and enjoy the descent, past the farm, up the tarmac climb, then left at the top, through some puddles, past the farm and onto the narrow ride back to the lane, the undergrowth was overgrown and heavy with rain hanging over the narrow track, hiding the rocky floor, so it turned into a lotto, always fun! We came out with a few grazes and bramble cuts. Back to the cars, 9.30-ish plenty of daylight and guess who was waiting there, Jamie, just there is say hello (too busy to ride as tinkering with lawnmowers) and hand out a few recipes, maybe we'll bring some cake next week.
Next weeks it's our long mid-summer ride, meet at Ribblehead, on B6255 (at the junction of the B6479) near the Viaduct. We are planning the Craven and Dales way route. Grid ref: 766794 OS outdoor leisure 2 Yorkshire Dales.
So 4 it was, I talked everyone into the clockwise route, meaning heading up the lane to Dubbs as a nice warm up, past Dubbs and the first gate was open (with a Volvo parked up), open gates mean no rest as we pause to open them, this became an ongoing theme for the evening. Then we tackled the steady climb up Garburn which makes a ridable challenge, I say rideable 'cause one day I'll do it! Nice views on the way up, we tried to decipher where we rode the Tongue in Troutbeck valley. Once at the top we talked downhills, just watch those rocks. Nice and steady, not too bad, it's a great descent just go easy. How come it only takes 2 minutes to drop down to the first brook, then a ride down looking for Joel's ravine! Re-group at the bottom turn right and head up to 3 rivers, bottom gate was open so straight through, then I got to the first set of double gates and held them open so the boys could keep going, a few choice words muttered under breaths (help or hindrance), anyhow George made sure he got to one of the top gates just to have a rest. Next were the 2 rivers, these were reasonably deep, so no chance of dry feet, keep going and enjoy the descent, past the farm, up the tarmac climb, then left at the top, through some puddles, past the farm and onto the narrow ride back to the lane, the undergrowth was overgrown and heavy with rain hanging over the narrow track, hiding the rocky floor, so it turned into a lotto, always fun! We came out with a few grazes and bramble cuts. Back to the cars, 9.30-ish plenty of daylight and guess who was waiting there, Jamie, just there is say hello (too busy to ride as tinkering with lawnmowers) and hand out a few recipes, maybe we'll bring some cake next week.
Next weeks it's our long mid-summer ride, meet at Ribblehead, on B6255 (at the junction of the B6479) near the Viaduct. We are planning the Craven and Dales way route. Grid ref: 766794 OS outdoor leisure 2 Yorkshire Dales.
Sunday, June 15, 2008
12th June 2008 - Walna Scar Road
5 turned up for this ride which was 'chalk & cheese' to last years ride, i.e. last year is was black clouds and VERY windy, so much so, we could only just walk up the Scar, at least this year we could ride. We met off Hummers Lane at the start of the forest, from here follow the track down into the start of the forest then head off though and up and over the Knott until you get onto the track running up beside the River Lickle. Head north up the hill past Natty Bridge and onwards to the Scar via the disused quarry buildings, now the Scar challenge really starts, select a granny gear and start climbing. If you can keep traction then you may have a chance, obviously you need to keep the legs going, I made it 75% up (one dab), Chris M 85% and Jamie went all the way! Well done that man!! Meanwhile Joel and Grant were discussing food on the climb up. Now what goes up must come down, and the climbing is all worth while, 'cause it's over 2 miles of downhill, watch those rocks and enjoy. Oh so quickly back to the road and then a little ride back via Hummer lane. Regroup at the cars and a quick change then head home because the midges were out. Next ride Ings for Garburn.
Saturday 7th June - Sam Houghton Challenge - Kentmere
The Sam Houghton Challenge is a mountain bike event set around Staveley and Kentmere in the Lake District, as it was local a group of us thought it was a worth while event. I thought that I would write it up in memory of Fred Hool (16th February 1948 to 3rd June 2008) a fellow RADs mountain biker and a 'good bloke', who would have been game to give it a go.
The Challenge is run in the memory of Sam Houghton who lost his battle with skin cancer in the summer of 2006. He was a young and exceptional mountain biker who lived in Staveley and regularly enjoyed the fabulous trails of the Kentmere Valley. The Sam Houghton Challenge is a fitting tribute.
We thought it would make a good challenge and sadly following Fred's death it became more poignant and gave more purpose. The blurb says "The course opens up some of the best natural mountain biking in the UK with a 46km long course with 1400m of ascent through Kentmere, Longsleddale and Troutbeck valleys and taking in the infamous Garburn pass". We have ridden these routes many times over the years, but putting them all together was going to be a challenge and hence worthwhile.
4 of us initially put our names forward and formed one 4 man team, then 4 more followed and entered on the day, so we had 2 teams. Now the second team (Paul, George, Joel & Ian) actually got the first start time off at 12.40pm the other time (Jamie, Grant, John & Chris) were off 10 minutes later at 12.50pm, so there was much merriment guessing where we would catch each other up, will it be the first or second gate! Anyhow just time for a last coffee before the off, & George managed to bang his head on a car door before the off and needed a plaster (this was to be the first injury of the day but not the last!).
So off they set at 12.40 with us in hot pursuit 10 Min's later, it was hot & sunny and hard work up the first hill, I blame the coffee and cake for breakfast! We soon split up on the first climb and on the first downhill I punctured and let the others go ahead, while changing the type a young man passed me heading back to the start, he had had 4 punctures and had ran out of repair patches!
I regrouped along the Longsleddale valley with John & Jamie, then it was up the hill at Sadgill and over to Stile End, this involved a little walk up the track. Again we had split up, with Grant getting away from us, once over the top I took it easy on the descent (not wanting to puncture again) and I saw a bunch of riders at the side of the trail, then I recognised then as our teams, apparently Paul had come a cropper and bounced off some rocks! After some time resting at the side of the trail we walked him down to the lane where George went off for the car to take him off for a check up, happily he was OK. The rest of us continued on our way, this now involved climbing UP Garburn, it was hot hard work even when walking up. At one point half way up where Joel paused his riding he put his foot down to rest, only to find no edge to the track and so he tumbled down the enbankment into the bracken and had to be lifted out! It's best to stay on the bike! We made it to the top and started on down, Jamie went ahead I stopped for food and half way down Ian and Joel caught me up we continued down towards Limefitt where Ian came off just at the end, he was cut up but OK, he chose to go back the short route. So Joel, John & I went on to do the complete route, via Troutbeck, Longmire, High Borrans, Mickle Moss, down to Kentmere Hall, Green Quarter (a bit of a climb after 4+ hours) then the finale of HP rocky descent and back to Wilfs for hot food and a rest, overall it took over 5.5 hours, but well worth the challenge in the end. Well done for everybody who took part and supported the event and the charities.
The Challenge is run in the memory of Sam Houghton who lost his battle with skin cancer in the summer of 2006. He was a young and exceptional mountain biker who lived in Staveley and regularly enjoyed the fabulous trails of the Kentmere Valley. The Sam Houghton Challenge is a fitting tribute.
We thought it would make a good challenge and sadly following Fred's death it became more poignant and gave more purpose. The blurb says "The course opens up some of the best natural mountain biking in the UK with a 46km long course with 1400m of ascent through Kentmere, Longsleddale and Troutbeck valleys and taking in the infamous Garburn pass". We have ridden these routes many times over the years, but putting them all together was going to be a challenge and hence worthwhile.
4 of us initially put our names forward and formed one 4 man team, then 4 more followed and entered on the day, so we had 2 teams. Now the second team (Paul, George, Joel & Ian) actually got the first start time off at 12.40pm the other time (Jamie, Grant, John & Chris) were off 10 minutes later at 12.50pm, so there was much merriment guessing where we would catch each other up, will it be the first or second gate! Anyhow just time for a last coffee before the off, & George managed to bang his head on a car door before the off and needed a plaster (this was to be the first injury of the day but not the last!).
So off they set at 12.40 with us in hot pursuit 10 Min's later, it was hot & sunny and hard work up the first hill, I blame the coffee and cake for breakfast! We soon split up on the first climb and on the first downhill I punctured and let the others go ahead, while changing the type a young man passed me heading back to the start, he had had 4 punctures and had ran out of repair patches!
I regrouped along the Longsleddale valley with John & Jamie, then it was up the hill at Sadgill and over to Stile End, this involved a little walk up the track. Again we had split up, with Grant getting away from us, once over the top I took it easy on the descent (not wanting to puncture again) and I saw a bunch of riders at the side of the trail, then I recognised then as our teams, apparently Paul had come a cropper and bounced off some rocks! After some time resting at the side of the trail we walked him down to the lane where George went off for the car to take him off for a check up, happily he was OK. The rest of us continued on our way, this now involved climbing UP Garburn, it was hot hard work even when walking up. At one point half way up where Joel paused his riding he put his foot down to rest, only to find no edge to the track and so he tumbled down the enbankment into the bracken and had to be lifted out! It's best to stay on the bike! We made it to the top and started on down, Jamie went ahead I stopped for food and half way down Ian and Joel caught me up we continued down towards Limefitt where Ian came off just at the end, he was cut up but OK, he chose to go back the short route. So Joel, John & I went on to do the complete route, via Troutbeck, Longmire, High Borrans, Mickle Moss, down to Kentmere Hall, Green Quarter (a bit of a climb after 4+ hours) then the finale of HP rocky descent and back to Wilfs for hot food and a rest, overall it took over 5.5 hours, but well worth the challenge in the end. Well done for everybody who took part and supported the event and the charities.
Here are a few pictures:
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
5th June 2008 - Witherslack ride
Quite a few folk turned up at Gilpin Bridge for the Witherslack ride, Joel, Grant, Ian, Charlie, Chris M, Jamie, John. The route commentary will follow once our correspondant gets on-line... more to follow.
There was some discussion about the upcomming 'Sam Houghton Challenge' ride from Staveley on Saturday 7th June. "The course opens up some of the best natural mountain biking in the UK with a 46km long course with 1400m of ascent through Kentmere, Longsleddale and Troutbeck valleys and taking in the infamous Garburn pass." One RADs team was booked in and a few more riders said they would enter on the day, so it seemed a good turn out.
As some of you will be aware the challenge is in aid of Cancer Research UK and was very close to our hearts following Fred Hools recent death. It was a good challenge and worth every effort in memory of Fred. A separate blog will follow with details from Saturdays Challenge ride.
Thursday 12 June will be the Walna Scar ride, meet at Broughton forrest entrance off hummer lane.
There was some discussion about the upcomming 'Sam Houghton Challenge' ride from Staveley on Saturday 7th June. "The course opens up some of the best natural mountain biking in the UK with a 46km long course with 1400m of ascent through Kentmere, Longsleddale and Troutbeck valleys and taking in the infamous Garburn pass." One RADs team was booked in and a few more riders said they would enter on the day, so it seemed a good turn out.
As some of you will be aware the challenge is in aid of Cancer Research UK and was very close to our hearts following Fred Hools recent death. It was a good challenge and worth every effort in memory of Fred. A separate blog will follow with details from Saturdays Challenge ride.
Thursday 12 June will be the Walna Scar ride, meet at Broughton forrest entrance off hummer lane.
Sunday, June 01, 2008
29th May 2008 - Satterthwaite for Grizedale
5 turned out and we decided to head east as we would be doing the Nibthwaite downhill (west) in a few weeks ride from Lowick. Ride through the village and up Breasty Haw, not a bad climb and some testing rocks in places, carry on up and over and enjoy the descent onto the road, sketchy and testy! Ride up the road and tee off left past the Cross and The Common to get to the Fox, here go right and head to Moor Top, as you cross the road watch out for The Bog, muddy mud mud! Take the first section of the North Face from Moor Top, but from the fire road take the right hand junction up the hill, work your way along Grizedale Moor untill you level out at The Park, here we went right and enjoyed the downhill, before Lawson park, go left for a tree rooting test of a climb back up to the fire road, fun in the dry, murder in the wet. Once back on the forest road head for the Rowan Tree Dub, take the bridleway (marked on the right) and head out of the trees for a little while over the old 'tank' tracks (watch the muddy water) before Parkamoor, head left back into the trees and ENJOY the downhill to Seven Wells and then continue down along Moor Lane and back to the cars, what an ending, down, down, down! Many midge bites so no sitting outside for a beer. Next week in a change to the schedule, Gilpin Bridge for an easy ride ahead of the Sam Houghton challenge on Saturday 7th June.
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