22nd April 2010 - Elterwater

5 met up near Britannia Inn, Elterwater, Jamie, Chris M, Ian, John & CT. We decided to go along the river route, being Elterwater to Skelwith Bridge (LDNPA Miles Without Stiles), this has been washed out by the floods but is getting reinstated and also seems to be along Sustrans route 37, we did this last time at the end of the ride and it was dark, hence we went this way to have a look in daylight. This is a very nice route along the river and side of Elterwater and would be busy at peak times. Enjoy the crossing at Wooburn bridge, this bridge is made of metal side sections which appear to form part of the structure (LDNPA say: the bridge was erected in 2006 and named after a Skelwith Parish Council chairman, its location is fantastic. Resting high above Great Langdale Beck, the roar of Skelwith Force entices you on, built by Furness architectural metalworker Chris Brammall - ref http://mango.webfusion.co.uk/~chrisbrammall/17/content/public%20art/woodburn%20bridge/woodburnbridge0024c.jpg.)
So onward onto the road (A593) turn right and climb, we were aiming for the bottom of the bridleway going past Arnside plantation (low & high Arnside) and then dropping through Iron Keld. The weather had been dry and so the climbing was excellent with plenty of grip which meant hard work for the legs to keep going. The views west over the Langdales and crinkle crags were great. Once off iron keld, tee right and race back to the road, only watch out for loose gravel, re-group at the road, enjoy flapjack, cheers JB, Ian had a route to avoid the main road, cross over and climb, here options were spin fast up the climb or push middle ring, it's a long way so spin....then go right past low oxen fell and at the top join the plantation, here we fixed Ian slow puncture ready for the descent though the woods, it's great fun. At the bottom turn left at the wall and due to the dry weather and subsequent grip test your climbing against the terrain, not easy but worthwhile. At Stang end turn left for Hodge close, down through the slate run and try the ford! back up to Dale End and enjoy the twilight descent over the rocks. Back at the cars, beer & chips sitting outside the inn, great ride. Next ride Red Lion, Lowick.

17th April 2010 - High Street Classic route

This was a Saturday and not a normal Thursday night ride. After our winter training and Scottish weekend a few of us thought we should try some of our local Lakeland classic rides and High street is one of them, but it is best tackled after dry weather (or when frozen!). As the forecast was good a few texts were sent out, but due to holidays etc only Jamie & CT ventured out, first scrape ice off car windscreen, then we had to pick up a re-built wheel from Wheelbase and then re-grouped near Troutbeck church. Starting time around 10am with the sunshine showing through the early mist, head up road past Limefitt and take the bridleway on the right (see previous blog entry!) head along past Long Green Head, here we passed a group of walkers who would stay behind us until Thornthwaite Beacon (see photo), where some caught us up as we had our first sandwiches. Basically from the start you can ride for 30 minutes or so and then it's a walk/carry up the fell side, with places to ride until you meet the track from Froswick, ride up to the beacon for 12 noon lunch and shelter from the wind and yes there were still some pockets of snow! (photo of Jamie looking back down to Windermere near the top of the first climb).

Now roll down onto High Street and head north past Blea water and the racecourse hill, so named because of the 19th century practice of hosting sports days on the mountains summit! Half way up the Straits of Riggindale turn right and head along High Raise, towards Loadpot hill, here you tee off left and enjoy the descent down Barton Fell, where we passed a group of riders heading up hill (the wrong way we think). Now about half way! we rested at the ford junction and had our second sandwich stop before turning left and heading to Ullswater shore ride back. We checked the map and called home, tea on for 6pm so we had ourselves a target time, didn't seem too bad, until you realise that the Ullswater shore route would be full of walkers (where we usually do this on a summer evening when quieter). Drop down the hill side towards Howtown, take a lane and come round to start the shore route, now we were getting tired and would overtake walkers, but then stop for food, so the hare and tortoise game went on with some walking where required either for safety or just to save some legs, knowing we had a few miles to go before the Kirkstone pass as the last hill climb!! After a while we headed for the cafe at side farm for tea, coffee, crisps and ice cream. Now just a road ride along the flat lands until the bottom of the col, we had just over an hour to hit our 5pm target time back at the cars. At 10 past 4 we passed Brothers water inn and started the climb for real, my middle chainring was sucking and so I went down to granny which probably helped spin up the climb, albeit it took 45 minutes, but the plateau at the top of Kirkstone was a welcome sight, add on a gillet for down hill wind protection and zip down to the cars. 5pm spot on 7 hours and a great ride, measured off the map afterwards circa 30+ miles. Great weather for a great ride, just add suncream next time!

15th April 2010 - Troutbeck

Only 3 riders; Paul, George and John turned up for the ride starting at Troutbeck church just off the A592. Other riders made various excuses but we suspect they prefered to watch Cameron, Brown and Clegg do battle. The ride started by turning left on the A592 past the Limefit camping site and then taking a bridleway on the right after about 1/2mile. This track has rocky to start with and then turned into a farm track leading to Long Green Head Farm where we passed through a gate and turned right on to the bridleway which passed Limefit Park for approx 2miles to the top of the hill. After going through the gate we took the right fork down the rocky desent which takes us down to the A592 this has now be levelled and provides an excellent ride although not quite as technical. On joining the A592 we turned left and used the track on the right hand side of the road with the spiking railing to cycle to the bridleway on the right at the top of the hill. Here we enjoyed the long sweeping downhill to the stream which was very fast due to the dry conditions and then struggled to ride the up hill into the village. On meeting the road we turned right and road to the post office where we road up the hill to the seat with the fabulous view and then took the left turn down to the road. Here we decided to go down Mirk lane first and up Wain lane. Mirk Lane was excellent again due to the dry conditions and Wain lane was totally rideable. We then took the bridleway on the left leading to the seat at the top of the hill and back down to the post office. From here we took the single track back to the cars. cheers George. next ride is Elterwater.

8th April 2010 - Staveley for Kentmere

9 eventually turned up being John, Charlie, George, Ian, Neil, Chris M, Jamie, Paul & CT, there was some confusion about the start time, 'cause someone forgot to email out instructions...ooops! Lets go, up Green Quarter, fairly normal route, but Ian said he had never done it this way...or at least could not remember! Nice steady climb up and then down, at the road turn left check out the time and head back up via Long Houses another serious test, Oh what fun we had... then down HP just for the hell of it and watch out if anyone takes off on slightly different routes, just be cautious. Back at the cars via a road run back, early night and everyone headed home. Next ride is Troutbeck.

1st April 2010 - Gilpin for Yewbarrow circuit

10 turned out on April the 1st no joke; Charlie, John, George, Paul, Chris M, Ian, Neil, Jamie, Joel and CT. It was a little cold in the wind but a nice sun set (we still took lights) We took the usual route towards Whitbarrow up through the trees, right turn through the village to Witherslack Hall, then left past Yewbarrow and the descent to Church road, but we took a wrong turn! and enjoyed a great route through the trees and a very steep ending, great fun to ride. Now at the road turn right back along the lane for Knot Wood and the climb back to Witherslack Hall Farm, re-group and right turn for the edgy descent and back along the road, the idea being to form a peleton back to the pub and food, but you have to work together and there's no 'i' in team!!!! Back at Gilpin for food, but what to choose, only a couple of folk changed their minds, good nosh and back home in time for bed! The summer ride list is being fine tuned and next ride will be from Barley Bridge, Staveley.