28th April 2011 - Troutbeck

6 turned up near Troutbeck church, Charlie, CT, Neil, Grant, George and Jamie, we had to wait for JB as he had Grants bike, with a nice shiny new frame from Halfords to replace his old and cracked one! now it just needs bedding in, so off we headed up the Kirkstone road, past Limefitt and take the right for the Long Green Head section, past Limefitt and onto Longmire lane, left at the road and up Dubbs, Grants chainset was slipping and BB creaking, new frame but always stuff to upgrade! Upto Garburn and go left down the rocky section watch out for the sharp edges, back to Limefitt junction and JB has a puncture, quick change but it was very windy, continue down to the road. Left along the roadside track and look for the gate giving access to the bridelway down over the water crossings and upto Town End, at the gate Charlie went down first and cleared the track of sheep, the rest played the rolling down the hill race game...we all line up with back wheel against the gate, one foot in peddle (at bottom of stroke) and after a count of 1,2, 3 roll off and see who is fastest downhill; someone said the heaviest bike+rider would win, this was countered by the fact that the lightest would start quicker...so the line down is first on rocky 4x4 track, then take the right hand grassy bank and whip accross left (avoiding the hole in the track!) and pick up the next berm, or at least that's the plan. Check Neil was rolling his mini-cam, then 1...2...3...off...now maybe I'm the lightest as I was off first, it gets fast very quickly, use the terrain and berms (try not too brake!), still no one in front, watch for the hole, stay right to be safe and then feel that 29er shooting by on the left, JB had made the slingshot move work and was first through the gate! What fun you can have on a bike! Now a lap of Wain lane and then up Mirk lane, up the climb to Robin lane, chat with some locals resting at the seat (viewpoint), discuss the merits of takling The Bob Graham Round; the 72 mile, 27,000 foot circuit of 42 of the highest peaks in the English Lake District within 24 hours. Sounds like one hell of a mountain bike ride, if only... now back to the cars, taking the extra loop on the RHS before the post office. Next ride Hawkshead (maybe Claiffe).