26th November 2009 - Ings for Garburn-Troutbeck

Garburn after heavy rain November 2009

More heavy rain!

*** This is our 250th blog post ***

Goerge, Paul, Grant, Joel, Chris M, Jamie and CT met up at Ings and rode up Dubbs to keep away from Kentmere as it was soooo wet, not a bad run up, then at Garburn we turned left and came down, Jamie warning us that the trail maybe eroded/altered so watch out, he was right the large amount of water run off has altered the trails, (see picture taken on Sunday in daylight, it looks like a building site) this was much trickier and most of us walked some of the way down. We headed right through Limefit and then right before the church at Troutbeck and up the testing lane near high fold. Now along the road to Troutbeck PO and up Robin lane, here also signs of water power changing the landscape, onwards to the first bridleway on the left and enjoy small descent to road. Re-group and decide to head along lane past Wain lane and go down past the farm on Mirk Lane, not too bad, near the last section CT was leading with JB chasing, a polite question " want to pass" yes he said and so JB came past, but got caught by a tree root -Ha!-but managed to stay on and keep going with CT chuckling in the background. Down to the main road, where to now? We could head up WL and on to Longmire, so we started out, we could ride the first section lower down, but after a while we needed to walk, due to the changed track (see photo again for the power of water, GA's bike was fully in the ditch, formed by the water, please note that no bike was harmed during the taking of the photo, although GA was flapping about!). Once on the lane take a right hand bridleway down to Trout Beck and cross the foot bridges, only take care there were some large tree trunks resting against the 2nd bridge, now up the track to join the road and head back via the lanes to Ings. A couple of us sampled the beer and Jalapeno flavour crisps !!!!! next ride is Elterwater, bring money for the pub.

12th November 2009 - Gilpin Bridge

5 riders met at the Gilpin, George, Grant, Chris M, Joel and CT. It was the usual route past Raven's Lodge and up the leaf covered rocky slope, where Chris M with dodgy gears snapped a chain, all repaired and over the top to Witherslack Hall and Yewbarrow for the slippy descent to Church Road. A little rain during the ride, so we headed back for the return route, back for 8.30 and two of us had a drink. Next Thursday's ride is optional as some of us are going to the Kendal Mountain Festival bike night. The week after, 26th November, it's Staveley for Kentmere.

5th November 2009 - Far Sawrey for Claiffe

4 ventured out on Guy Fawkes night, Charlie, Ian, Paul (new truck man) and CT, not as snowy as last year...there was NO snow! We hoped to see some firework action, although we realised we would be riding in wooded areas, so we set off for the clockwise route, from the pub take the bridleway next to the phone box and start climbing, this gets us to the top for the great descent down to the lake, there was a bit of standing/running water about but no rain, so off we set, the downhill was great and as well as some fireworks on the opposite shore of Bowness we also had the experience of 2 fast jets bombing along the lake BELOW us! just to add to the rockets and general noise, they tomust have been out checking the fireworks. Then we headed along the shore route and past another group of nite-time bikers going the other way, we continued on the base camp route and started to climb the access road, here we saw another bonfire party by the cottages, very nice and 2 sheep went head to head on the lane determined to get past us and onto the road, we herded then back until they met the cattle-grid, no problem for these sheep, just step in between the rails and walk on, so that's how they go for their late night walks! Continue up the fire road, where the evening was light enough for some of us to turn off our lights and ride by the moon-light, at the same time we saw a deer run out in front of us, always nice to nature alive and well. Onwards to the cross roads and then a left turn to go down the tester route, a bit foggy at this point (always a pain for helmet lights) and at the bottom take the right track back up, always a tester...! Carry on up the track, Ian taking a fire road detour (very sensible) C, P & C trying the rocky route, regroup at the top and head along for the downhill back to the cars. All change and a drink in the pub to discuss light bulbs! Next ride is Gilpin Bridge.

29th Ocober 2009 - Lowick

"It was Dark. First proper winter ride!!
Why do they do the Hour thing??

Neilio, Georgious, Jamious and Grantious were there.
We went on the usual route, checking we were going the right way as went !! Couldn't tell you the details.

The 7pm at Lowick Race Course
Conditions :Ground firm to good.
4 ran : Santa cruz /Specialised /Cannondale and a big bike wit big wheels!
Crowd 0,

No punctures, 1 gear cable broken.(Now fixed) and back to the cars,

Good ride!"
Thanks to GA for the script, next ride is from Far Sawrey