14th May 2009 - Staveley for Longsleddale

Grant, Paul, Chris M, Jamie, Ian, John and CT set off up Hall Lane and then along past Scroggs Farm and Elfhowe to take the testing little climb back to Hall lane! Carry on up to Staveley head and keep going looking for the bridleway on the RHS, at this point the wind was getting up (nothing like the Walna scar ride but still windy) half way over we sheltered by a wall for a chat then continued down for the rocky descent, all safe now along the bottom of the valley, just negotiating sheep and lambs, everywhere, including one lamb playing rodeo on mummy sheep's back! Now approaching Sadgill get ready for the next climb, Chris M got the first gate, but there are 2 more, so a couple of dabs then re-group at the gate, shelter behind the wall, chat, eat and rest before the next rocky climb, some didn't even attempt the climb, fair play to those that did and even CT surprised himself by getting round 2 corners, one up for the hardtail! Get up over the top and re-group before the downhill, I'm sure Paul was taking it easy! Down at the bottom turn right, then come left and back along Low Lane where Chris M sighted a badger and a few of us saw it running away, quite fast considering it's bulk, it looked an older one due to colouring. Now it was only early but some folk had homes to go to, so we heaed back on the road a nice steady warm down. Next ride at Broughton Mills.