23rd April 2009 - Troutbeck

9 riders; Paul, George, Jamie ,Grant, Ian, John, Neil and his son in law, Charlie and Phil met at the layby near Troutbeck church just off the A592. The ride started by turning left on the A592 past the Limefit camping site and then taking a bridleway on the right after about 1/2mile. This track has rocky to start with and then turned into a farm track leading to Long Green Head Farm (not sure whether the lane up to the farm is a bridleway) where we passed through a gate and turned right on to the bridleway which passed Limefit Park for approx 2miles to the top of the hill. . After going through the gate we took the right fork down the rocky desent which takes us down to the A592 . On joining the A592 we turned left and used the track on the right hand side of the road with the spiking railing to cycle to the bridleway on the right at the top of the hill. Here we enjoyed the long sweeping downhill to the stream and then struggled to ride the up hill into the village . On meeting the road we turned right and road to the post office where we road up the hill to the seat with the fabulous view and then took the left turn down to the road. Here the group with the exception of Charlie decided to go anti clockwise down Mirk lane first and up Wain lane . Back at the top of Wain lane Charlie was waiting for us obviously quicker her way or is she just faster? She probaly 'powered on'. Grant then persuaded everyone to take the bridleway on the left leading to the seat at the top of the hill and back down to the post office where before reaching the first of the houses we took a different route by taking a right turn on to an a very dark single track down to the road from here we turned left and travelled through the village past our usual track by the church to a bridleway on the left that passed the Mortal Man Hotel and then back on to A592 where to turned right to go back to the cars. No pub visit, next ride Red Lion, Lowick.

16th April 2008 - Elterwater

7 turned up for the ride on a very nice evening in the lakes, John, Charlie, Paul, Neil, Jamie, Grant & CT. We headed off south to pick up the lane to Dale end, which involves a bit of a climb, even for a RADs warm up, we also passed 2 other bikers coming down the rocky path, but they were on road bikes and hence carrying for some of the way! Once into Little Langdale we headed west for Bridge End and the climb over Atkinson Coppice and down to High Tilberthwaite, here it's through the farmyard and left to the playground, then right and up to Hodge Close and cross the main road at Oxen Fell High Cross. Now head up to Iron Keld, passing a landrover on route, enjoy the climb...then get to the top for the downhill. Back down the road as the light was fading. A great way to spend an evening, finished off with chips and beer at the pub, best get one portion between two! next ride is from Troutbeck.

9th April 2009 - Crook

7 met up at the village/old school hall car park (not realising that there was an event on later that evening, maybe park elsewhere next time..?) so we set off east past Cockpit Hill, turn right and blast down the lane, take a farm track on the RHS to go near to Crook Hall, follow the bridleway west past Birk Moss and Hart Howe, at the lane turn right for a little while and then take a left turn down a gravel drive past Crook Foot and on up to Thorneyfields. Here we had a little chat about which way round, as the ups and downs just come in a different order....? so left it was and up the hill, at the top we headed down through the mud, noticing a cow which had recently given birth, with calf nearby, very spring-like! Down to the lane and straight over (looking right, left and right again!)Now down Craig lane, until the uphill, 'keep going' Grant, no good must walk a little and very rocky ground. At the lane turn left and blast down to the ford, here no one tried the water crossing! and now upward for the tarmac climb, granny ring and enjoy! Re-group at the top and mini-egg time, cheers Charlie, we also noticed the light getting dimmer, so onward past Cote Hill/Green hill and the scout camp, down the track in fading light and back to the road, re-group and turn lights on for the road ride back to the cars (where the car park had got loads busier!). A few of us enquired about a pub and thought the Sun Inn was mentioned, but in the moving of cars and driving off we all seemed to go different directions and no one was at the Sun!! Maybe we'll get a drink & chat next time as we are at Elterwater.

2nd April 2009 - Gilpin Bridge sort ride & meal

This is the last official winter night ride of the season, to be marked by the traditional end of season meal, a few folk thought it would stay light until 8pm and so would risk riding without lights, 9 were ready for 6.30 just about to set out when JP turned up and then CM. Neil had headCam, so watch out. So 11 set out (CT, Ian, Phil, Jamie, Paul, George + new helmet, Grant, John, Neil, JP, & CM) for the blast out and around Yewbarrow, enjoying two descents through the trees. All very enjoyable with the setting sunshine, almost summer! and great views over the fells and out towards the bay, whilst we passed 4 bullocks passing the time of day and probably wondering what on earth a bunch of MTBers were doing riding over their grass! Back at the cars and a guest appearence by Jim (part time retired biker) standing in for TG! into the pub grab a few tables to make 12 settings and enjoy the scoff, no puddings, we must be getting too........ (just fill in the space), we also discussed the next group event, over the weekend 16-17 May, Wild Boar 24, camping, social and MTB event!
Next ride is Crook/Winster from the village car park on the main Crook road.