25th June 2009 - Lowick for Parkamoor descent

The fab four turned out, CT, Jamie, Neil and Ian (who cycled all the way from home!), while others rested for the evening, getting ready for Mid-summers ride no doubt. Usual route, cross main road, over bridge turn left and warm up along the road, up the first hill (tarmac) and cross the first puddles to get onto the first downhill to Ickenthwaite, where we met 2 moto-cross boys heading out up the hill! Then we went along the lane until we detoured left to meet up with the fire road as Ian wanted to get to Mustard Hill and take the route along Herald Brow Pasture and thus enjoy the view over Consiton (if you want more get Ian to fill you in on route finding, basically be confident!) Once the views were taken in, we set off for the Main Show, the downhill, OK so there is some peddling, but it's well worth it. It was a 'dry ride' and so the rocks were kind and we all enjoyed ourselves, including an extra little detour for some. At the bottom of the hill we stopped off for a BBQ, fairly impromptu, although Ian had phoned ahead with an order for food, all I can say is well done chef. Thanks to Ian for the beer,chips, sausages, chicken, sauces, buns and fresh salad! (Charlie, where were you) this was a great way to end a summers evening ride and the sun gave us a purple haze sunset just an an encore, Great we must do this again. Next ride is from Ribblehead, park in the lay-by near the juction of B6255 and the Horton road, B6479; (GR 793767) basically go through Ingleton and head north for Ribblehead.

18th June 2009 - Ings for Garburn

A small band of 5 (CT, CM, Grant, John and Jamie) turned up at Ings, there were a few grey clouds, but not enough to put us off...yet. We were basically going to do the clockwise route, i.e. up Dubbs Road and on up Garburn and down into Kentmere. As soon as we started out a few rain drops started and while we went up Moorhowe Road the heavens opened, so anyone not already wearing waterproofs stopped and put them on, the rain and wind made it feel very cold, 'cause it was! but after a while we could see brighter skies and so continued on, by the time we made Garburn the rain had stopped and so we could concentrate on the climb! Not really warmed up by this time, so dabs along the way up, with a bit of walking, at the top gate we met one other rider and then we started the descent, GA and CM seemed to think the wet rocks maybe slippy and so talked themselves out of a clear run down! It's a tricky downhill, so watch out; then down to the church passing a few other riders going the opposite direction, then turn right and head up to 3 rivers, Grant was confused...until he remembered where he had left the car i.e. Ings not Staveley! Steady climb up and a little discussion at the first river, we decided to go by Mickle Moss as we were already wet, then down and head past The Heights and on past the farm for the tricky rocky tester, always a laugh! Now back to the cars and home to dry out. Next ride is from Red Lion, Lowick.

11th June 2009 - Walna Scar route

7 riders met up at the Hummer Lane forest access point, after a little wait we set off west down the fire road, CM spotted a bridleway on the RHS which runs down the valley, but most had ridden past it so we continued on until the right hand bend in the track, then you look for a marker on the LHS to find a route through the trees. This ultimately gets us down into the valley bottom where we start the fire road climb and I reckon this is about 200m on OS contours, now we head up the valley to Natty Bridge, cross the ravine and head up some boggy sections (there is no easy way) and work our way up to the old quarry buildings before starting the Walna Scar road proper. We started up at about 8pm this is about 420m height. It took Chris M 15 minutes to ride to the top at about 600m and he cleaned it, well done, CT was a little way behind keeping him honest (but dabbing on the way), everyone else was soon at the top, were we appreciated the effort and the views. Time for a quick snack and a wind proof top for the next descent DOWN Walna Scar Road, the rocks for the next section were large and loose, it is quite a testing descent, all down OK past Goatfoot crags and take the right turn, here there is a testing drop off, just to check nerves! Then down past the quarry, George taking it easy and on past the climbing hut, we saw 3 motorcross trials bikes going up (not sure they appreciate how easy it is to ride UP) but we enjoyed the down! back to Torver via the lanes and then the main road back to Hummer lane for the little hill climb to round off the evening. Back at the cars the midges woke up and so we packed up and headed home. Next ride is Ings for the Garburn trail.

4th June 2009 - Whinlatter trail

5 made it to Keswick, Neil, Paul, Grant, Charlie and CT, we met up on the old road opposite the B5292 near Brathwaite, with the view of getting the last bridleway down into Thornthwaite, So we set off up the B5292 towards the visitor centre, there are some optional MTB route, but we kept on the road as a steadier warm up! For details of the trails see http://www.forestry.gov.uk/forestry/INFD-5GZLNY ,note there are also some U-tube clips, but they are not RADs ones...yet. We followed the north route which is about 6 miles, as the evening was cloudy and there was some drizzle it was fairly dark in the wooded sections and the tree roots were tricky, but there is a great single track section which climbs up the side of the forest with great views, unless you suffer from vertigo! There is a great downhill with table-tops and jumps at the end of the north trail ending up near the visitors centre. We did not have time for the south trail, so maybe next time we'll park nearer to the centre? Then we took the route down a fire road and joined the last bridleway down into Thornthwaite which is a great descent. Next week its Walna Scar, meet Broughton forrest entrance off Hummer Lane. (Note also a change to the mid-summer ride date)

28th May 2009 - Satterthwaite for Grizedale

Charlie, Grant, Chris M, George, Neil, Doug, John, Jamie and CT would have set off on time had a passing biker not required some assistance, it seemed he had re-arranged his rear mech and John, Charlie, Neil gave some assistance to get him on his way, bravo! We set off into Satterthwaite village to take the uphill bridleway up Breasty Haw (a great RADs warm up) we also had company with a dad and his lad ably keeping up. This is an up and over route and the best part is the downhill past Bleaberry Hill to the lane. Here we went north up the lane for a short way before taking a right turn, quick climb and wait at the gate for Jamie to fix a flat, while we all got eaten alive, continue on and another downhill test to the next lane. Head right and work up the road until Hazelseat where you go right though the yard, past the buildings and keep straight one, this leads into a singletrack testing climb, more legs required! Again up and over and loom for a cross roads, go over the first fire road and then go right at the sign, continue on back to Satterthwaite then take the Sawry Bridge bridleway to get the route back to the cars down Moor lane to end an enjoyable ride. Next ride Keswick for Whinlatter trail, meet at Swimming pool, unless I email again with a new meeting place.