17th December 2009 - Satterthwaite

6 turned up at Satterthwaite on this cold evening but which route? we headed north through the village and right up Breasty Haw, this is a rewarding climb, i.e. tough but it leads onto a great section of single track and a testing descent down to the road. Now turn left and head for the climb with the aim of finding the stone fox, only we took the wrong turn and Neil and CT were left behind to navigate alone, now in the darkness you may think it possible to stop and look for the other riders lights and noise, but NO it was dark and quiet, so we re-traced our steps and found the off-road route to the fox, only no sign of the others. A lucky mobile phone call brought the others back, they had stayed on the fire road which eventually comes out at the fox (as long as you do not tee off on the side roads!) now we headed to Moor top, then down the north face, (NF) BUT it was icy and the timber sections were v'slippy, as CT came flying off and Grant had to do an emergency stop! So we decided to head along the fire road to the centre and then climb up the NF, this was not too bad as the timber sections have been removed, at the top it was cold, so off we headed looking for the best route back to the cars, now Grant & CT were at the back trying to warm up and the others took the first fire-road while we looked at the NF route but noticed no tyre tracks? again a mobile was brought into action to re-group.....bloody group rides...! Now it was v'cold with frozen gears so we looked for the shortest route back and headed down towards the centre and then took the fire roads back to the descent down Moor Lane, Charlie's lights were going out, but she manfully battled on! some where down Moor lane while CT was trying to offer some headlight in the direction of the trail to aid Charlie's Super-light, someone (no names BGB) made an overtaking manoeuvre through a gap which was a little too narrow (he's wider than he thinks he is!!) and clipped Charlies pedal, causing a big OFF, battered and bruised she carried on and we all made in to the bottom in one piece. V'cold so a quick change and into the pub, where they were just finishing some carols with live music, we had mulled wine to warm up and chilli crisps. The bikes had frozen up, or at least the mud splattered from the lower routes had frozen higher up, it was cold. Next planned ride is 7th Jan' 2010 Ings. HAPPY NEW YEAR

10th December 2009 - Troutbeck

8 turned up at the small lay-by church bridge A592 on this freezing night, anyone travelling from the Kendal side had a de-tour along the Ings-Troutbeck road as a truck had gone off the road! This short delay meant Paul could fettle his brakes, they just needed some slight adjustment...with a hammer! Now setting off go past the church up the bridleway to the post office then on up Robin lane, a slight rest towards the top and then onwards to Jenkin Crag and the tester rocky descent, apparently GA found the one pot hole and came off head over 'eels! Re-group at the bottom, sort of, someone waited for the others, they had already shot off along the main road, so a short delay while we all caught up and met up at the bottom of Mirk Lane. This is a good hill climb test and doubly so now the recent water erosion has had an effect, but you have to give it a go, not a bad effort and its hard work all the way up to Holbeck Lane. A chance of a little flap-jack, cheers JB. Now just the last climb upto Robin lane and then the descent to Troutbeck PO, when CT, GA & JP got to the junction no one was around so we took the direct route back to the cars to find no one,so we waited and chatted, eventually the others turned up as they had gone a different way! next time they should leave chalk marks if no-one mans a junction!! Too cold to stay around, no pub we'll wait until next week which will be at Satterthwaite because we can do parts of Grizedale and there's a pub for a pre-Christmas drink, bring money and clothes! PS: Beware of freezing temperatures if you have external luggage locks on your pick-up, just ask Paul!

3rd December 2009 - Elterwater for Loughrigg terrace

I think it was 6 turned up, but only 5 went riding (Joel, Charlie, Chris M, Jamie and CT), Grant had broken his SPD and no one could get it off (some thought not enough grease had been used...!) which route...we decided to try Loughrigg in reverse, so still up the first hill climb, a little washed but not too bad, then in front of YHA, past Loughrigg tarn then head up and over Loughrigg fell. This climb is a bit tricky to start but actually is OK towards the top, although the fell was partly illuminated by a strange light from the west shore of Windermere, we had discussed what the light was for, perhaps re-building flood work, or just someone testing some new bike LEDS !, but no it was actually Corrie being filmed in Cumbria, due out on TV soon. Now over the top and down the other side and ride along the river Rothay, head past Rydal water and along to the caves and up the terrace, stopping to sample Joels mega cake, well done JP! once at the top wiz down the bridleway and back to Elterwater, where CT and JP sampled the local beer. Next ride is Troutbeck, park in the layby down from the church.