28th October 2010 - Gilpin Bridge

6 turned up at Gilpin; Chris M, Charlie, Ian, Neil, Jamie and CT, it was mild but had been raining, so look out for puddles. We thought we should try the old longer route and decided to go clockwise and end up with a chain gang on the road back. Charlie has a new gleaming bike, i.e. it had a really good clean, so no puddles for Charlie!! Head off over the new Sustrans bridge and past the farm to head up the leafy track, though the woods and down into the village turn right and head along to the school with some puddles to splash through. Part way along Chris M had a chain issue and thereafter his gears were wrong, eventually it was sorted by getting the wheel to seat correctly. We headed down the normal cliff edge descent which was sketchy due to the mud, but we made it down and then turned right for a mile+ of road and then up the muddy track, before this Charlie has noticed her tyres were rock hard and let some air out and so had great traction from the tyres going up the climb and she lead the way. A brief rest and re-group at the top near the school and then set off along the lane heading towards the re-built burnt out house, not sure the occupiers of the house knew what to make out of all the bike lights heading up their drive (it is a legal bridleway), not quite sure we would be classed as UFOs? Follow the bridelway de-tour sign and cross a field and join up with the track, a bit of climbing and then the downhill tunnel track through the trees, I was behind Jamie and his LED lights were lighting up the trees surrounding him, giving a halo effect with his red tail light in the middle, a great picture in the offing and the descent is fast and straight, well worth the extra route. Now turn left at the house and down some single-track to the road opposite the Lyth Valley hotel. Re-group and head down the road, there was a head wind and so we tried to get into a chain gang for the couple of miles back to Gilpin, but back for chips and a drink. Thanks to the Gilpin Bridge who made chips for us all, spot on! Next ride is Far Sawrey meet near the phone box.

21st October 2010 - Red Lion, Lowick

7 made it out, Neil, Grant, Jamie, Ian, George, John and CT for a tour of Blawith and Subberthwaite commons. It went something like this; head south west from the Red Lion past Lowick head right hand turn over cattle grid for Long Lane and Kiln bank, over to Tottlebank, right turn heading north east, head for High Kep, take first left at the lower junction where some folk had headed up the climb but thought we may re-group at the bottom and make a route choice so we headed back down, only to decide to head back up the same climb! all good training!! over Woodland fell, enjoy the descent and turn right to Green moor wood, down through the woods, turn right and climb up The Knott, here we rested at the junction and chatted before turning right and tackling the rocky boulder section and downhill before crossing the beck, this section looks worse than it is, but at night could catch you out. All safe we climbed up the fell, assisted by a near full moon, when the clouds broke up. Now back to High Kep and retrace our steps to return to the pub for beer and crisps. Next ride is Gilpin Bridge. PS: The photo is the view from 'AlpsPix' at 2050m, it would be great if MTBs were allowed on the cable-car!!!

14th October 2010 - Winster

6 turned out for a dry ride, George, Jamie, Charlie, Ian, Paul and CT, (Grant said he kept away 'cause of man flu, well done the other chaps did not want to catch it! Joel did not show as he figured Jim had eaten all the cake as not having an email from Charlie about sustenance matters!). After some adjusting of headlights, 50% of the group were with additional headlights and the others all had 'Alpkit' back ups within their MULEs or on helmets; so it seems the fact that you can see around corners and therefore into the future, shows headlamps to be goooood (as I have said all along, Ed!!) So we set off down the hill and took the first left hander, the ground was dry, albeit with plenty of leaf cover, quite ridable over the first section and up the hill to meet the cows in their usual field, down the field track and onto the lane, up to the road and a little discussion on radio quiz's and what you learn sometimes on homework sucks! Onward...down the lane first left again and onto rocky track, here it is worth having a mate ride ahead and test out the puddles, Paul went round the first one and then though the second, but this was the deep one! Enjoy the descent, but not too much...Jamie had a tyre issue with his 29er tubeless set-up, i.e. he just nicked a rock and lost the air seal, new inner tube required, someone joked that if you have Charlies extra narrow Panorama 1.4 inch tyres you would have missed the said rock!! Continue on track cross over road, meet main road, turn left and head back past cars and onto the Winster ford, on one rode across! now steady climb up tarmac lane, re-group at the top..banana time.. now enjoy the next section, mostly downhill, a couple of gates and a little race along the field track to the last gate, just remember to sharpen your elbows if you hear a freight train coming!! (just joking), now one last lane track section and look out for the boy racers, back to the cars, no rain and a good ride. Next ride is from Lowick, near Red Lion.

7th October 2010 - Ings for Garburn - All the way!

7 turned up; Joel, Paul, Jamie, Chris M, Charlie, Neil, CT and after a little wait Grant (without his bike...it's a long story, ask him when you get a mo'), now for some small print; our chief blog editor had not managed to publish the long awaited winter season route list, due to technical web difficulties and the like...you know running a multi-conglomerate life (work, play, blog, school run...), I know it's just juggling but circus life is sometimes very policital, anyway the list is now done, at least with some room for improvement, so if you want to add any rides let us know. Having looked at the list I have added Cartmel and also Sedbergh, we just need to think about routes!
So last week no one had seen the list, except CT who was reading off last years and knew it was Garburn!, but thought to add a twist, i.e. now the track had been repaired we should look at doing the whole ride from the road at Troutbeck side, but should have mentioned this fact, ooops! So ride from Ings up the road and head across to Limefitt, circle round and back to the road to start Garburn from the bottom. JP decided to wait at the cross-roads (to save himself for Garburn). The first section from the bottom is steep and tricky, but a great tester (= a couple of dabs!), then just work your way up and meet JP at the Y junction. Re-group and head on up the technical climbs, turns, S-bends, just keep trying, it's a fantastic challenge. Just near the top gate we rested and Charlie came up trumps with Millionaire shortbread, just the job and it was demolished by a gaggle of gannets!
Now crest the top of Garburn and get ready for the downhill, the first bit is tricky and then it gets hard, Chris M took a tumble near the top and CT made it past, but came a cropper later on! Grant was testing his skin and yes blood does come out if you bash it hard enough! Get to the bottom and ride round to Kentmere church and up to 3 rivers, cross over the top river and head for the boggy bit, but this has been repaired and is great, striaghtback down to Ings and the pub for a beer. A great ride! Next ride is Winster.