7 turned up eventually, but 5 started out, Chris M, Charlie, Neil, George and CT; Ian came later and did his own ride, Charlie said she saw his tyre tracks during our second lap? and Jamie turned up on a road bike and managed a few yards of the last bridleway! So usual route over the new bridge up the hill, round the lanes and along Yewbarrow, through the gate and onto the nice descent, only there were now large tyre tracks (they must be logging) so the first section was very muddy, tyres all clogged up making for testing conditions, just like MTB should be...? bit of a contrast to Scotland dry and dusty! anyway we made it down and had enough time to turn right and head along the road section to pick up the bridleway climb at Knot wood and onto Lawns wood, this is a steady testing climb, not too muddy but slippy rocks making off-road = off-road! Back at the top along Yewbarrow (groundhog day, don't make the same mistakes...) now back into the wood and this time follow the machine tyre tracks for a different route, steady though the trees, try to lose some mud off the tyres and at the end enjoy a very testing descent on loose stone down an adverse camber steep slope with trees everywhere, basically to keep control, go very slowly which means it's a good test of slow MTB control, and thrilling if you make it! Jamie was at the bottom and we all rode back on the lanes. Ian was waiting at Gilpin after doing his solo single circuit ride and so we all went into the Inn and had a meal, updated menu, very nice, we even talked about the BGB award of old and had to explain to Chris M who the previous winner was (if in doubt refer to the very early blog entries!). Next ride is Barley Bridge, Staveley.
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