26th Augyst 2010 - Ings for Garburn

5 (Grant, Jamie, Neil, John and CT) met up near The Watermill at Ings, the rest were on holiday or out running (well done Charlie!) Having said that John turned up from Bardsea and he was on holiday! Usual route up Dubbs way, although JB and GA were looking at an alternative, but Neil was head down and already up the Dubbs route so we carried on, up Dubbs and onto Garburn, pause at the gate and head off for the testing climb, Grant led the way but dabbed at the first corner leaving the way for CT, who managed the first two corner sections before dabbing, JB came past and did well. We eased our way up to the top on a fine evening. It looks like there is an alteration to a path near the bridleway, perhaps to save some bog area. The downhill was great as ever, fun and games, with Neil having a second go at the rock garden and Grant laughing his way down. Now route up past Kentmere church and head to three rivers, getting dark so stayed along the top route (one river and a bog crossing!) then straight down the road avoiding mucky farm. JB rode home and the rest sampled some beer and crisps and discussed past years Scotland rides. Next ride is Barbon, park near the church.

19th August 2010 - Tebay for Borrowdale valley

8 met up just off the M6 for the route down Borrowdale valley, Neil, Paul, George, Chris M, Ian, Jamie, Grant and CT, TG had decided that after last weeks route choice that we boys could not be trusted and declined to attend (really it looked like rain, actually it was raining so goretex was donned for the start). So we set off north along the valley, past the farmhouse with the generator, really is a great spot. A quick climb up to the road and them tee off left and blast down the lane after listening to the electric pylons and their strange noises. Chris M hoped the horses weren't at the bottom as John the horse whisperer was not on the ride, and yes they were there but not causing any bother. Down past the farm and watch out for sheep in the road, the farmer was herding then home to get ready for market, so we stood aside and let them past. Onwards along the lanes trying to warm up for the next hill climb up to the masts, a small pause then you can't put the climb off any longer, so go for it, Chris M and Grant took the lead, but eased back and JB and CT took over, with JB making it first over the top. Neil came up trumps with a celebration snack (thanks Sue) as Neil is now a Grandfather (he's getting on and forgot the champagne), but we'll excuse him due to the excitement of being a new Grandad. Now it's just the downhill through the high grasses and navigating to the left turn to get back to the valley road, all back safely, but the bugs were biting at the cars, so all off home. Next ride is Ings.

12th August 2010 - Ullswater from Hartsop

Even in mid-summer holiday season 5 turned up, with another en route, Charlie, Ian, Neil, Grant, CT with Jamie planning to catch up and rendezvous later. The plan went something like this...there were a few phone calls going around saying folk maybe late, but in the end it was only Jamie and he said he would catchup if we went clockwise (as he could speed along the road and make up time), now we did joke about going in opposite directions then at least we would meet at some point! Group 5 set off circa 6.36pm head north on bridleway towards the lake, as there is no bridleway directly to the lake shore we went part way up the Hause and then took the turn towards Rooking, this probably took more time than we thought, but hey it was a nice evening, with only the threat of rain in the air, it was really short sleeve weather, honest. Now somewhere around Devils Chimney we passed two walkers and I spotted 29er tyre tracks, upon enquiry the walkers said yes they had passed a solo MTBer a while ago, so the chase was on.....to find mobile signal and phone JB! The shore route is testing in both directions, so we carried on enjoying the evening ride. Once you get around to Sandwick head south along the Boredale valley road and watch out for cars (as they will not be expecting a bunch of MTBers coming round the corner), as the road turns into the bridleway track Grant noticed a herd of deer on Martindale common near the aptly named Deer forest. Now just keep going and climb the last section up and over the Hause, it's bit rocky but worth it for the next downhill. For those who have not worked it our yet Jamie was way out in front and headed back to the cars before it got dark, some of us had lights and Ian always downhills better in twilight and he said the descent was 'Great' , Charlie had other ideas due to brake issues but did ride it all the way down, now back to the cars in the last light of dusk, ready to see the shooting stars later. No pub so coffee from a flask, some nibbles and general post ride chat/analysis.....PS; on the drive home after going over the top of Kirkstone and starting the descent, just watch out for sheep lying on the tarmac at night, luckily the one on Thursday night was on the over side of the road, but it's a warning, sheep like the warm tarmac! Next ride is Tebay, park at Borrowdale head near to M6!

5th August 2010 - Hawkshead for Grizedale

Two turned up at the new start time of 6:15. They had found out that the charge for Hawkshead car park was £3 so it was decided to de-camp to Moor Top. A note was left on the tree opposite Ian’s favourite parking space just in case he arrived late. So, eventually Charlie, Neil, Grant Jamie, Chris M and John set off. We started on the Northface trail downhill section but just after the first boardwalk Charlie had a puncture. There were many derisive remarks aimed at the self healing tube. It emerged from the rear tyre spewing green liquid and was eventually deposited in a sealed bag to be taken back for analysis by Dr Jim. A minute or two later down the track Chris was found in the trees – a hard landing - and as a result was suffering for the rest of the ride. We continued to follow the north face trail (the single track climb out of the Grizedale Centre) but when we got to the turn for Parkamoor (anticlockwise direction) it was decided to add this loop. From about Rowan Tree Dub (nearest place name on the map) we took the green lanes around Mustard Hill back down towards the visitor centre and then almost immediately the bridleway back up to fire roads on the top. Back to Moor Top via fire roads and bridleways as the light was beginning to fade. Not really a good location for chips and a drink so we headed home.
Next ride is the Ullswater shore ride, meet at Hartsop village, the car park at the far end for a most excellant adventure.

29th July 2010 - Sedbergh

No information yet....so watch this space? here we go news from Paul...
6 made it for this ride, Ian, Chris M, Jamie, Charlie, Neil and Paul. After some mutterings in the car park about heading up the Howgills we set off on the usual route. On the Millthrop road, go over the river Rawthey and take the 1st left, then right in the hamlet to take a lane up onto the fell. This is the first bit of off-road and a little tester. The pace was quite quick and there was no waiting at the gates. Across the fell then after a great little down hill it was across the road, down the rather overgrown track to the ford, where we utilised the bridge to save getting our feet wet. Along the road towards Dent for a couple of miles before heading right up the big climb towards Barbon. At the end of the climb turn left on the Green Lane (now banned to 4x4s), no regroup here everyone just kept going. Along the Green lane (with a short stop for some of Charlies fat free sugar free chocolate free cookies, although I didn't dare ask what the brown stuff in them was, still they tasted good) then left onto the bridleway down into Dent. (Somewhere along the green lane it had been decided between a few of us that we should skip the pub stop and ride out of Dent towards deepdale, then right and back up onto the Green Lane as an alternative to the norm) After the downhill we stopped near the pub, where Ian upon hearing the new plan left the group in disgust at us not stopping for a pint and chips. The 5 of us that were left continued on our route up Deepdale Lane then right up a rather steep and stoney Green Lane which joins the green lane back to the Barbon Road. This used to be an awefull track due to the heavy use by 4x4's but now it was a good ride, a slight decent all the way back to the Barbon road. Back at the Barbon road we turned right, back down the hill, then left back towards Sedbergh. After a couple of miles, turn right, back over the bridge avoiding the ford, up the over grown single track, across the road, back up the farm track and basically the same route as the start of the ride but in reverse. Back to the cars for 10pm. Ian had already left and the rest of us made our way home, too late for chips, but a great ride with a new twist.
Paul has done a google map, ref: http://maps.google.co.uk/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&t=h&msid=111297820029278797203.00048d629f86ca1110c0b&ll=54.292084,-2.508659&spn=0.074542,0.191059&z=13