4th February 2010 - Satterthwaite

7 ventured out, George, Neil, Charlie, Jamie, Chris M, Paul and CT after getting ready 'which route' was the cry...? so we had a look at a map, mainly to try for an alternative route to our usual ones, in the end we decided to go anti-clockwise from Satterthwaite centre through Rowley Wood to start and around Dale Park plantation. While we were debating the route choice, Paul asked if anyone had some bolt cutters...why we said, he's only done and forgotten his combination code on his cable lock...NO, actually he replied that there was a crack in the lock and it did not work, so his beloved Spesh' would be locked to his truck for ever....No names but some folk volunteered their safe cracking skills to try to break the code, no luck so some force was used (can't say how, due to security, but...just ask next time you see us). So now all bikes ready and off we went, Charlie wondered if she was wearing the right gear, too cold, or too hot or just a fashion thing! So along the road, turn right and look for the left up into the wood (it looks like someones drive, it probably is) after the first 100 yds Jamie aks if this is the right way, it does not look right, thing is after the rain and frost much has changed, anyway it was the correct way so onward and upward! It's a bit of a climb, with some ice, but what goes up must come down...hopefully...eventually?
Now I can't really describe it all but you really need to follow a 1:25,000 OS map, use a compass and have a little luck. After a while cross a small lane and go past some farm buildings carry on up and come to a cross roads, the bridleway does left, with some downhill through Hazel seat wood, where Chris M lost air in his rear shock and had no suspension, so he was bottoming out with very low bottom bracket height NO fun! Down at the road turn left and head along for a mile or so, here it was dark and the reason I noticed, was that while riding at the back (so no other lights around) and enjoying a descent I tried to adjust my handle bar light , BUT I turned it off by mistake and it's no fun when it's pitch BLACK, grab the brakes and hope to stay on the road, luckily I did, with just my heart in my mouth, catch the others up and turn left just before Devils Gallop. A little climb and into some thick forest, is this the route NO, turn round and try another lane, still wrong, third time lucky, but now a testing climb/walk, eventually back to the lane and here it was 9,20pm so we decided to turn left and go back via Breasty Haw a good route after the initial climb, very steep! back to the cars and no beer because the pub was closed! Next ride Barbon.