7th January 2010 - Ings

4 met up at the Watermill, Ings, Grant, Joel, Jamie (who came by bike) and CT, the temp' gauge in the cars said minus something, but the powder snow from the previous days added more grip to the ice!We set off south and under the railway line, ignore the first footpath on the right hand side, which we didn't until we realised our mistake, so we had a little attempt at riding in 3" snow, very hard, so back to the route a little further on and the bridleway is on the RHS, ride through the gate and through the trees, watch the mud, but generally rideable conditions, head onto the lane and past Black Moss, over the railway and carefully cross the main A591 head for Heaning and Mislet, watch the tracks and keep the pedalling smooth, continue onto the Moorhowe road. Here we turned left and headed up Dubbs lane, tricky in places abit like slippy mud, but keep riding straight ahead and it's not too bad. Past the reservoir and at the first gate we stopped for JBs flapjack and to do some star gazing, a crisp and clear night. Although it was sub-zero we had mostly warmed up by now and so we carried on to Garburn, here we went left, again the snow was giving grip...in places, left at the caravan junction and take the Longmire track back to Moorhowe road and back to Ings, now the cars said -9C. Into the pub for beer and crisps! Next ride scheduled as Oxen Park, watch the snow forecast!