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.