19th May 2011 - Keswick for Borrowdale Bash...

5 turned up for a lap of Derwent water, locally known as the 'Borrowdale Bash', Neil, Charlie, George, CT and Max met up at the town centre car park, handy for chips later. After a few days of showers the weather looked promising and we set off for the clockwise route. Basically head towards Ashness Bridge, on the way picking up our first blood damage (1 nil to Max) Charlie supplied a plaster to stop the blood flying around...!, still a very scenic spot (see photos, excuse the phone camera), great views (heard someone say they could nearly see the sea..... great imagination others said!), some cloud cover and patchy blue sky meant a great evening for a ride out. Up and over to Watendlath, up a testing climb, but worth a go, a quick pit stop for snacks now descend met up with 3 other MTBers doing the anticlockwise route and sessioning on the rock area known as Birkett Leap. Still a challenging rocky descent but worth it, then we took the right hand turn for the route through the trees, more challenging but doable if you keep going and pick your lines, unless you have your 6" play bike for the direct descents, hey Max! Normally you would now head up the Honister road, but time was pressing and so we tracked through Borrowdale to Grange and the climb up the side of Cat Bells and worked our way north and back to Keswick for chips. A great night for a circuit for Derwent water, Thanks Max for the company, we must do this again! Next ride Satterthwaite.