9th Decemeber 2010 - Troutbeck

Thursday evenings ride started from Troutbeck, the snow from the weekend was reduced after a much milder day, it almost felt warm compared to the previous few days. Charlie was kitted out with studded ice tyres front and rear, ready and looking for ice to test them on. The other six of us – Jamie, Grant, Paul, Joel, Chris M and Neil were maybe not looking for ice, but hoping to stay upright in the winter conditions. Due to the remaining snow and ice on the roads, a revised route was agreed. Briefly on the road and then through Limefitt Park, trying to ride the first section of bridleway proved that with the snow conditions it was going to be a challenge, we turned right at the junction on the bridleway above Limefitt. On this section, riding more than a few yards proved virtually impossible, rear wheel traction was very difficult, but the difficulties were compounded with the front tyre skidding and sliding, and consequently not being able to keep on a chosen line. At the gate there was some talk of leaving the bikes at the cars when we passed them later, as it might be quicker on foot.

The descent down the snow covered bridleway to the Kirkstone road, was testing, ride able, and proved challenging fun. The simplified route took us over the bridge, past the cars and up the road climb to Troutbeck, and onto Robin Lane. The snow past the houses was hard packed from walkers, and not too icy, at the seat we turned down the track to have more fun on the descent through the snow, and onto Holbeck Lane. A right turn and the second left down Mirk Lane, this had some deeper snow in parts, combined with some slippery sections, just as you seemed to be in control, one or both tyres would slide alarmingly – so some of the descent seemed to be like skiing on one or two wheels.

The snow seemed a bit crisper on the return up Wain Lane; we regrouped at the road junction enjoyed nibbles courtesy of Jamie and continued to Troutbeck and the final off road descent, testing fun in the snow, to finish by the church. Charlies studded ice tyres did not seem to have been seriously challenged with much ice, although her van did need a little help to get off the park.

Words by Neil. Next ride in Ings, again, and time for a meal at pub.

16th December 2010 - Ings (ride & Christmas meal)

It was cold, really cold! it was freezing, literally! -3 degrees with a wind chill of something resembling arctic conditions. 8 turned out (Neil, Jamie, Chris M, Grant, Charlie, George, Paul, Joel - Chris T was there in spirit but stuck in Carlisle and would be joining us later for a meal at the Watermill), we aimed to set off by 6pm but this was a little later than planned as we all set off south towards Whasdike and Black moss (or was it Borwick fold? it was a bit of a blur!) then back towards the road, crossing the A591 and up the green lane towards Mislet, a few icy puddles and then back to the road. At the junction we headed left up the hill towards High Borrans, through the farm, across the field to 'finger gate' (a new term of endearment for the gate I hit a couple of weeks ago).

From there it was decided to do 3 rivers and then get back before they stop serving food at the pub or our bikes started to freeze! Some of us had already begun to experience transmission problems with the weather affecting our gear changing, and the weather had already frozen the water in our camelbaks' .
At the first river we all stopped to admire the moonlit landscape, Jamie had already noticed this and was riding by moonlight, after the second river the gate had frozen stuck and Jamie released it with the aid of a rock. Everyone cleared the 3rd river and we all met up at the bottom of the decent before Sawmill cottage where Paul decided to demonstrate his creative moves combining strictly come dancing and mountain biking on ice.



It must have been the river water that was causing a few problems, despite everyone clearing the rivers, the clear waters were beginning to freeze on the bikes and many of us were stuck in a single speed.

The final climb from Browfoot to the top of the hill, then right and then left, followed by a fantastic long and icy decent through Grassgarth and back for a hearty meal at the Watermill to celebrate Christmas.

Next week (23/12/10):

Kendal, meet in car park next to Brucies bike shop.


Meanwhile, Merry Christmas everyone...

2nd December 2010 - Ings

This ride was scheduled from Elterwater, but due to the snow and Arctic conditions making travelling tricky, we decided on somewhere local and Ings was it. It was also the venue for last seasons coldest night out where we ventured out in -9 degC so would it be colder???

6 riders met up at Ings, Grant, Charlie, George, Chris M, Jamie and Joel; CT was running late due to travel logistics getting in the way, i.e. messy icy weather! and so the lead group set off south west for the trip round to Blackmoss, there was apparently an incident with a gate, but the gate survived, ask Joel for details. From Blackmoss head over the A591 and across to Heaning to Mislet to join up with Moorhowe Road and head along to met the Dubbs track, up the track and meet up with CT at the reservoir. Now you should be warmed up of sorts, but you do not want to stand around too much or your feet will freeze (unless you have nice warm NEW boots like Charlie! next week look out for the snow tyres). Onwards and up the lane, the snow was filling on the gaps but the bikes wondered around whilst finding grip, so you had to keep peddling and looking for grip and direction. Make steady progress up to Garburn track where we stopped for Chris M to produce some flapjack, from the classic date recipe first introduced by Neil, thanks must go to Chris's wife for the baking! Now head down Garburn, tricky in the snow as there is a ditch either side, turn right at the Limefitt, stop for photo! continue down to caravan park, here George had freewheel issues, i.e. it froze, so did anyone need a pee? because if you can pee on your freewheel (i.e. make it warmer to free the frozen mechanisum) you can carry on, it worked and George continued. Down the main road, thinking to go up Garburn for the return leg, but George and the others carried on up the road, we then turned left to take the lane to Ings, but it was cold on the road and so we turned off left up Longmire Road, here Joel carried on the lane back to the pub. We ride back up to Garburn, rode and walked some of the hill and then rode down Dubbs Road and back via the lane. The snow riding was interesting in many places, feeling slippy when smooth on the road to riding like loose sand where it was just powder snow, but we all made it back safely if a little cold and the temperature... the cars said -6 degC, but it felt colder! Nip in the pub for a log fire, beer and crisps. Next ride is scheduled as troubeck, so at least it's local.

25th November 2010 - Kentmere

4 turned out, Chris M, Charlie, Jamie and Neil for a cold winters ride. More details to follow but I hear it was fast due to being too cold to stand around!

Neil picks up the story: A very cold night, it certainly seemed like the coldest night so far. So we quickly decided to go over Barley Bridge and up Hall Lane. With the freezing conditions it seemed that the normally soggy ground towards Lonsledddale via Green Quarter Fell and Cocklaw Fell would be firm. The climb showed the ground to be very firm and all puddles frozen hard. Riding the track that is normally soft and soggy, over Green Quarter Fell and Cocklaw Fell, we found quite a lot of ice, some being difficult to see with lights. Black and looking at first like a shadow across a hollow, but some ice was quite smooth and very slippery. At one section to avoid ice on the track, I went onto the sloping grassy hillside, only to find both wheels sliding sideways – sloping ice!

Joining the track just above Sadgill, to return to Kentmere again care needed with the ice around.

At this point I think the cold got to my brain, as I can’t remember if we did the bonus loop. But we dropped down the road, to turn onto the bridleway at Long Houses; this was good going with the frozen ground. After the main climb, the normally heavy and soggy ground was firm and good to ride on. At this point Chis M had an emergency over the bars dismount, not quite sure what happened one moment he was riding alongside me the next he was flying through the air. Seems a bit extreme to get an extra mention in the blog.

HP descent was deemed to be maybe a challenge too far in the conditions, so we returned down Hall Lane, but turned right down the bridleway to Elfhowe –this was good to go down with the hard ground, which we seem to more often come up it. At the cars everyone wanted to get back and get warmed up so no pub afterwards.

Next ride Ings.