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...