13th January 2011 - Witherslack

7 turned out for a local ride around Witherslack in a pea souper! it was a little foggy... (Charlie, Paul, George, Jamie, Chris T, Chris M, Joel, No Grant! - Grant was busy working), this time it was a slight change from the normal route. From Gilpin Bridge it was a swift ride up on to the Lythe Valley road (A5074) until reaching the pub at Whitebeck and taking the bridleway opposite. This route climbs up to the hamlet at Row which was a little slippy on the limestone in fog, some of the group had already split off earlier and had taken the scenic route and joined us at the corner of Durham Bridge Wood, Jamie who was already ahead had taken the other junction at the top of the climb and ended up somewhere lower down the hill (we just thought he was doing extra training!).

It was a steady climb through the lane in the woods and back to the road, then through Town End, past the junction for Cowmire hall, past Pool bank before taking the right fork down hill before following the valley floor along the road that follows the river Winster. This was turning into a road ride, but before you could say 'RADs Wheelers are great' we were back on home territory and climbing the off road mucky route through Knott wood that leads to Witherslack Hall farm. From this point it was a short ride through the dense fog to the middle of Yewbarrow where Charlie provided the gooey flapjack made from everything from apple and pear spread and honey combined with oats that make it healthy.

This was the first downhill and it was a short ride back down to Church road where it was debated whether fog was good for your lungs? But then again was it fog or fairy dust in the headlights? From here it was then fast paced back to Buckhouse wood and back to the pub. No chips but a pub full of other bikers, the other type with beards and leathers!

Next ride: Claiffe, meet at Hawkshead for 6.30 start.