16th September 2010 - Ings

8 turned out in the end (Neil (apparently Neil may not have attended...? did we miss anyone else off the ride list??), Jamie, Chris M, John, George, CT and even Joel!), Grant was a tad late having been on a mercy mission to save some guppies, or at least that was his evidence for being late AND forgetting to put his lights on the bike! So off up the Dubbs road (where Grant eventually caught up...he did not even notice the new boy, JP, until Garburn) and onto Garburn, but we headed left down hill to Limefitt, Garburn has been reconditioned so we'll see what happens after winter. We did not go through Limefitt but kept on the 'Sam' route into the top end of Troutbeck, with half a plan to detour down to the church and then up the testing singletrack, only no one else read the script...we eventually met up at the seat on Robin Lane and explained the next section of the ride in words of one syllable! So down from the Pillar and onto the lane turn right for 100 yds then left onto Wain Lane, here Grant was slowing down through the dark tree lined areas (wot no lights!), hit the road turn right and prepare for the climb up Mirk Lane. Ride up to the off-road section, select first gear and ride like mad through the mud, just keep going, the first three made it through, up and down and re-group near the house for the next testing section up the gravel track, much walking it appears, but CT gave it a try and even made it past the third corner and only stopped on the easy bit! At the top of the lane by the farm the moonlight was twinkling off Windermere, very poetic. Now head off right down the bridleway before Town end, cross the river, up the slippy field track and onto the road, back home via Moorhowe road and into the Watermill at Ings for a beer and snacks. Next ride is at Gilpin Bridge and the end of summer meal.