28th August 2008 - Ings to Kentmere

8 turned up for this end of August ride, many folk had lights...rumours were flying about of a Garburn route, but people looked nervous and Paul wasn't there; anyway we headed up the hill opposite the Ings car park lay by and rode up to meet the top bridleway, turn left and through the puddles, take the right hand gate and onwards through the large puddles, head on up to the top river crossing, all OK. Next gate, up and over onto Kentmere Hall, Ian had a front tyre puncture half way down! otherwise all safe. Down the lane and up Green Quarter, a steady climb, not too muddy, yet, at the top gate we stopped for some of Neils date cake, very good! Neil had a sticky rear freewheel and so he and Jamie went down the easy route, while the rest went round via the tumble down stone ruin and met at the gate, Neil then headed down to Staveley the easy way and the rest headed for HP descent, now the clock was ticking and it was getting into twilight, about 9pm, HP was OK even without lights. At the road James K' went on down the road back home, taking his Ay-up LED lights with him, so we could not compare them as a test! Any way the rest forged on, John did not have lights and was not sure about the last bridleway along the hedgerows where it would be dark, so he kept the pace up at the front, we made it through the water pools in the tyre tracks, past the farm and the brambles, through the last iron gate and into the dark alley-way of testing rocks. At this point you really did need lights, it was rocky as usual and we all made it down, John was OK, but Ian had a flesh wound from a bramble! Back to the pub for some real ale, Watermills own brew was tested and enjoyed. Next ride is Barbon.

21st August 2008 - Tebay for Borrowdale

Although not a favoured ride, 8 folks (Neil, Chris T&M, Jamie, George, Paul, John & Ian) turned out just to check; we head north west up Borrowdale valley, stopping along the way to fix Pauls puncture, steady away, at the end we meet the A6 turn left for 200 yds and take a track left down the fells and onto a tarmac lane, on the way we met a Bull, luckily he had some cows with him, but we took no chances and sent John first....then we came along some horses and a foul, so Paul should have gone first. Once safely through the wild-life we headed along the lane until we got to the road up to the mast, this is roughly a 2 mile climb, but it's not toooo bad, if you don't think about it. NICE views from the top, but no time a the light was going (although Ian and Neil had lights, it must be getting to winter!!) getting down is all about choosing the best route, avoiding the mud holes and picking a line, easier said than done, but we all got down and were soon back to the cars. No local pub, so we chatted for a bit then headed home. Next ride is Ings.

14th August 2008 - Hawkshead for the North Face Trail

I think it was 7 or 8 who met up in Hawkshead car park, it was not too damp and so the North Face trail it was, head up the bridleway out of the village and meet up with the trail, this route means we start with the downhill to the visitors centre. A great start, although we had a puncture on the way down and so Ian negotiated to borrow one of Charlies 'only 5 patch inners' to help him along (as he did not have a spare inner tube to fit his wheel), while waiting CT also had a slow puncture but blew his up just to get down to the centre. Along the way Ian's chain was damaged (due to a mis-aligned rear derailleur) and needed joining with a quick link, again he negotiated with Charlie for a loan on a gold set, this evening was becoming quite expensive for Ian! At the centre, Chris changed his inner tube while Ian decided to head home as his chain would not take a whole ride. The rest of us headed up the climb from the visitors centre, then continued with the usual north face ride, although we had to keep going 'cause it was getting dark and Ian was the one who had lights. No real dramas, just John and Neil getting slightly confused on the 'back 9' as the leaders raced home in good light. The real test was the last tricky descent through the trees into Hawkshead, which was basically ridden by braile! A few of us headed for the pub, them home. Next ride is Tebay.

7th August 2008 - Ullswater shore & Boredale Hause

It was a misty wet (it only rained for the first 10 minutes) evening where 6 riders met up in Hartsop village car park, 2 Chris's, Jamie, Ian, George & Paul all ready for the exploration, we figured we would do the clockwise route, utilising the small road section first, just in case the return section was tackled later on after sunset? We headed off north along the bridleway crossing the first ford with much water, then at the junction with the climb we turned left and met up with the main A592 at Bridgend head along to the YHA and turn right just after, (there is a link path from Hartsop but it is a footpath, pity) then pick up the bridleway and cycle past the camp site, then go past Silver Crag and along the shore of Ullswater. Follow the shore path around, enjoying the rocky steps and tests, it was a little damp and tricky and the midges were out (they heard Grant was coming out but as he took a rain check, Jamie took the brunt). Once at Sandwick take the valley lane up Boredale, along the beck to Boredale Head, here take the bridleway and start climbing, it is steady but being damp there were some falls. Chris M & Jamie did well heading for the top, the last section is a carry over wet rocks, what fun! Once at the top the downhill was to steep, brakes were required just to control the descent, but we all survived. Onwards and back to the cars and still in daylight at around 9.30pm. CT was camping near Ullswater, but still got a hot bath! Next ride in Grizedale park in Hawkshead.

31st July 2008 - Sedbergh for Dent

5 riders met up at the free Sedbergh car park after a few phone calls asking "are you going out tonight?" so we did, Chris M, George, Paul, Ian and CT. It was a damp start but it dried up later on, we headed out on the usual route, south east (part of the Dales Way) this goes via Millthrop, through some woods, down past a farm and crosses the road to the ford. The cows were just going to cross the lane so we were lucky to miss them (last year we met cows further down the road). At the ford we used the bridge, last year Chris M attempted the ford, but it is very long and tricky. Once on the other side it's a gentle ride along the lane to Gawthrop, then a right hand turn to head up Barbondale Road, here they had just resurfaced the lane with new loose chippings just to add to the hill climb. CT headed off in middle ring (just to see if it possible!) in actual fact middle ring is easier then the small ring on a road bike (with double chainset) and the climb was not too bad, so CT had time to pause at the junction with Green Lane. Once we had re-grouped Ian lead the way for the next km or so until we hit the first bridleway down to Dent. This is basically a 1km downhill; but because of the rain earlier the pebbles were like marbles and even the full susser bikes were taking it easy, but we all made it down safely. Now we usually stop at the Sun Inn for a beer and chips, but due to the damp conditions we choose to continue back down the road and repeat the first section but in reverse, Ian lead the way along the road, with CM & CT following in his wake, the Idol boys were chatting at the back! On the bridleway back over to Millthrop there is a choice after the gate, if you go left down a wide track you can enjoy a large bermed corner! Then back to the cars and a drink in a local pub, no chips as too late, but Sedbergh now has a curry house! Next ride is Ullswater, park through Hartsop village for 6.15pm.