22nd July 2010 - Askham for Loadpot Hill

There were dark clouds covering High Street but 5 turned at Askham Swimming pool car park – George, Grant, Neil, Chris M and John. The peleton set off south on the road towards Helton at a comfortable pace. Ride straight past Helton and then turn first right but take the left fork on to the fell road towards Rough Hill. At the start of the fell road Grant made his first move and broke from the group but he wasn’t sure of the way so had to wait. Just before Rough Hill Tarn turn right, not on the Bridleway but up the track to Howe. Just past the farm follow the grass track west towards Low Pot Hill. At this stage, the beginning of the climb up the long limb of Load Pot Hill, Grant made a second move up the grass slopes. Would it be decisive though? Read on.... Although there had been a lot of rain over the past week the going was good and the boggy sections were rideable. It was at this point that John dropped off the group. You don’t get a view of the trig point at the top until you are nearly on it so I couldn’t witness Grant’s victory but I guess he is the current King of the Mountains. You’ll have to turn up next week if want to make a Challenge. Second thoughts I’m not sure about all this ‘Le Tour’ stuff because it means we don’t get any rest stops. As always it was cool on top. Fortunately, for Neil he had a pair of long fingered gloves in his bag but Georges fingers were a whiter shade of pale. Now for a great descent down High Street. The sudden steep drop after a short distance always catches you by surprise! For the best route leave High Street and take the left fork to Arthur’s Pike. Short detour to the top, but always worth it. It’s a good blast down from here except John got his front wheel in a rut and took a tumble - but a soft landing. Met up at about the cockpit to witness the sun set over Blencarthra. ‘Better than staying in and watching Coronation Street’ was Chris’s poetic contribution. Then we took the track up to the plantation on Heughsgar Hill and another down hill all the way to Askham. . It had been a pretty clean ride until a muddy pond right across the track took the wind out of the sails. It was a struggle to get out of in top ring. General consensus was that it had been a superb ride. Next ride is Sedbergh.