24th February 2011 - Troutbeck

Report to follow, check out this link for a data log from Pauls GPS, see if you can work out which direction they all went...? OR all you have to do is press play button on the following link!

http://www.sportstracklive.com/track/map#Pmtyson/Mountain-Biking/Troutbeck/Rads/118244/start

interesting data, you can see Pauls top speed, the fact that it was 8 degC and 100% humidity (was it raining?). More to follow from an on the spot reporter soon...I've now heard that there were some mechanical issues, chain break, gear hanger, sounds eventfull...

here is the ride report:

The forecast had said it would get damp and wet later during the night, but the Windermere area had had not heard the forecast as the slight drizzle in the air at the start of the ride, became a bit heavier as the ride continued. Nevertheless eight riders arrived to ride – Jamie, Charlie, George, Chris M, Joel, Grant, Neil and Paul who, back from holiday and possibly still suffering from jet lag, had taken special measures to make sure he knew where he was and where he’d been on the ride. (See above link to Sports Track Live; try selecting fast forward when playing.)

We set off riding briefly on the road and then over the new bridge to go through Limefitt Park, then the usual right turn above Limefitt, the climb to the gate and then a left turn, for a change. Paul’s backpack kept talking - telling him how fast or otherwise he was going, it turned out this was his phone sat nav. Since the repairs to this section, going up to the Garburn track, it is possible to ride more of the track or for some to ride all of it, especially Grant who enjoyed the chance to test out his new SRAM 34 tooth block. The fast descent down Dubbs Road, and a right turn took us onto Moor Howe Road; next another right onto Longmire Road, through the gate onto the track that took us just about back to the junction at the gate we’d left about 35 minutes earlier. A sharp left turn, the descent behind The Howe, the steeper descent down to the road was a bit washed out and more challenging than usual.

The track alongside the A592 got us to the gate, and the grassy descent (I think everyone managed most of it without using their brakes, hard to tell in the dark though) down to the gate and the two bridges crossing Trout Beck. Then the short, sharp climb took us onto the road towards Troutbeck, and to Robin Lane. Previously going up Robin Lane was quite a challenge, but recent repairs of a surface of consolidated chippings have made it into just a steady climb. Fortunately the descent, after the left turn at the seat, remains unrepaired and as testing as ever.

A short road bit, and soon we had more fun on the descent of Mirk Lane, after the short tarmac section past Wood Farm things got a bit more difficult on the last off road track going to the A591, very heavy mud in places bringing bikes to a rapid virtual standstill, some got caught in the wrong gear, and required some determined effort to keep moving. The ascent of Wain Lane was damp, but the track seemed to have bedded down lately, Neil had a broken chain, no doubt as a result of an emergency gear change in the earlier mud on Mirk Lane, a joining link courtesy of Chris M soon had the chain repaired.

Troutbeck beckoned and the final splendid off road descent to bring us down to the church. Paul had a major mechanical issue, near the bottom of the descent, just after the tricky little bridge, his gear hanger broke off, but he was able to freewheel just about back down. Note to Grant -If you are going to break off your gear hanger, that’s the time to do it.

Next ride Sedbergh

17th February 2011 - Lowick for Grizedale

9 turned up, yes 9! Neil, Charlie, George, Jamie, Grant, Ian, Chris M, Joel and CT. It was a mild evening perhaps turning cooler, we set off east over the main road, over the bridge and turn left up the Crake Valley for a brief warm up before turning right at Nibthwaite Grange for the uphill tarmac section of Bletherbarrow lane. Just before here George was running behind, apparently due to new brake pads, rubbing, now how much can they rub you ask? loads the wheel would spin about 1" before stopping! so George was hoping that the wheel would free itself somewhat or it was going to be a slow ride tonight. At the top of the lane re-group and take the right track north east, head along the boggy sections, watch out George (who landed in a pile of bog) and enjoy the descent to High Ickenthwaite. Now continue along Corker Lane and into the forest, eventually coming out at the track up from Moor Lane climbing up to High Parkamoor, along the way there was a rock step where Chris M took the left Charlie took the right line and apparently neither was correct!, JB made the left, CT went back and made the left section, Grant was still rolling when he approached it, but blamed his gears (new chain syndrome!) and I believe George may have made it, cause he slithered over with all his mud! Now travel along the track through the muddy puddles, some were not as deep as they looked, others were! Start the descent along the side of the hill towards High Nibthwaite, firstly there were narrow tyre tracks to try to avoid, some got into trouble and when Grant tried to get out of a rut on the RHS he went over the edge, but managed to come back up. Half way down there is the technical rocky section to enjoy, I think we all made it and it was a barmy night for descending. No aurora borealis visible tonight, so quick pub stop, fire burning grand night out! Next ride Troutbeck.

10th February 2011 - Barbon

To start 7 turned up, Charlie, Jamie, George, Ian, Neil, Chris M and Grant; CT was running late, but had the view/hope that he could catch up by taking the lanes at the start and if the others took it slowly.....maybe he'd catch up. In the end the head start was about 20 minutes, which was a lot to claw back, but unknown to CT; Grant, Ian and others were having mechanical gear trouble on any uphills and so going was slow, so slow that Grant did something to his gears and mashed them up good and proper and after the first off-road section when he did not turn up, others went back to find him and eventually Grant turned up, but he had to walk/roll back. So this delay meant CT may catch up yet and surely he would pass Grant on his way back? No he didn't because although the lanes would be marginally quicker than the first off-road bit, he missed the correct lane (wait until you see a sign for Bullpot farm before turning off the lane) and ended up going over a green lane and met up with the first off-road lane anyway, which meant he did see the sight of an office chair above a wall (ask Jamie)...!?! Anyway now onto the proper tarmac lane CT was thinking if there are no lights at the top he'd carry on around the road and meet up on the next section, but there was a light, Dam! Actually it was Jamie coming back down to check all was well and both decided to go along the lane anyway as CT still had to sort his head lamp out and at least everyone would meet up at the next gate, which they did. What a palaver! But we were now all together, but still only 7 in the group, lose one win one! Now we headed along the lane and turn left at the end by the farm for the bridleway along Aygill beck, this was rocky and tricky in places, just to right amount of momentum was required, down to the road and one river crossing for Chris M so he could wash his bike, the rest took the bridge, back to the pub for a warm by the fire. Next ride is at the Red Lion, Lowick.

3rd February 2011 - Satterthwaite for Grizedale

4 turned out to check out Grizedale in its glory, (Jamie, George, Grant and CT) or at least see what was left after the local rally to raise awareness of the forests. On the drive down it was raining hard and I wondered what it would be like and why had a few folks decided to cancel...? but during the journey it stopped raining, although the wind was picking up. We decided on a gentle warm up and choose Bogle Crag route into the east side of the forest, we worked our way round to the Fox and then headed down towards Esthwaite, this is a great descent and continued to pick up the lane for the tarmac climb and then we came back into the forest via Breasty Haw, giving good testing climbing! Back to Satterthwaite and over the road and over the fields taking the bridleway into the west side of Grizedale. Now up the fire road and around Rake close for the descent along the bridleway onto Moor Lane and back to the cars, on the last section, past the final gate there are some water bars, Jamie managed to jump over them on his Niner, Grant tried to follow and cleared his front wheel, but his back wheel slammed into it and flatted, someone was heard to say that this was the work of the MTB demons getting even after a previous incident apparently involving Grant and Charlie in a fall. The rain had picked up and the wind was lively but overall not a bad ride. No pub, next ride is Barbon.