16th July 2009 - Elterwater

7 riders met in the car park, Grant, Charlie, Neil, John, Paul, George and CT. We set off left out of the car park and along the lane, then right and uphill onto the bridleway offering the usual testing warmup! Up to Little Langdale and down to the ford, we went over the wooden bridge and noted a new sign, stating only 2 people at a time to cross it and you could see the deflection to one side, so beware. Then we headed right and past the cave and up and over to High Tilberthwaite, then left to the playground, then right Hodge close, now head along the lanes to Iron Keld a nice battling route where CT and GA did a bit of racing (well it beats an X-box). Once at Iron Keld taking the air, we thought we should do the new route to Sunny Brow, we knew roughly where it went and it was still daylight! so on we travelled up Iron Keld and then down the new route, now I think we headed on an extra loop down Pullscar plantation and so we had a nice cycle back along the lanes and past The Drunken Duck, keep going and back to Iron Keld, this time up and over the usual way and blast down to the road for a quick cycle back to the car park. Next ride is Askham.

9th July 2009 - Keswick for Skiddaw route

Grant, Charlie, Neil and George turned out, albeit George forgot his biking shoes, no matter he cycled round in shoes! Start out along the old railway to Threlkeld then up the lane past the Blencathra Centre. Here go north along the bridleway up the east side of the valley, turn at the end and come back down the west side, being part of the Cumbria Way, watch out for the rocky sections with steep drop offs! Come round past Whit Beck and then enjoy the twisty downhill, still part of the Cumbria Way, it's a Great descent. Next ride is from Elterwater.

2nd July 2009 - Ribblehead Dentdale trip

So 5 riders (Grant, Chris M, Neil, Charlie and CT) turned out for a "most excellent adventure", as a brief summary, we rode some of the following: Craven Way; Dales Way; Ribble Way; Cam High Road and the Pennine Way. It had been a cracking day and the sun was shining, a slight breeze helped start the evening off, we set off at 6.35pm (a good start) head back up the road and look for the bridleway which snakes under the viaduct towards Gunnerfleet farm, turn right and take the lane past Winterscales farm and under the railway track via a tunnel, now head north along the Blue Clay Ridge before crossing back over the railway via a bridge. Now head up Slack Hill over the stepping stones of which some were rideable. Ignore the left footpath to Wearnside and keep going on up the steady climb, now it was warm but great to get to the top and head around the hill and start heading down towards Dent, watch out for the rocks, but it was a blast, a bit sketchy at times on the corners but enjoyable. Head all the way down to Dyke Hall lane, then right along the road next to the river Dee, not much water flowing. Relax and enjoy the lanes, eat and drink ready for the climb to come. Look out for Artengill viaduct and head up Arten Gill bridleway, this is steep and steady to start and goes on and up, if you get to a gate first you can have a breather! At the top of Arten Gill moss, you have to turn right and look for the track to pick up the bridleway, the second part has been treated and is a great descent, very fast so just watch out for the bend at the end! Once at the road, it was only 9.15pm, still plenty of time, so we headed east to pick up the Ribble Way, another steady climb, but rideable so nice and easy, 30 mins later and we were at the top junction, Cold Keld Gate where it meets the Cam High road, it should be noted that many of these routes are Roman and hence are long and straight and some go downhill, like this one. First a little blast down and then stop to fix the first and last puncture, Chris M enjoying the descent! It is getting darker but still plenty of light. This descent has a few water gutters which can be fun! its a great downhill and the Gayle Beck was rideable as no water was flowing along it. Then it's a steady road ride back to the cars 9.15pm; 3 hrs 40 mins, not even as long as a Wimbledon men's final! A really sweet ride, much better if dry weather precedes the ride. Next ride is Keswick for Skiddaw route, as we can not park at the swimming pool, perhaps meet at next to the KMB units near behind the pencil museum.