This is becoming a tradition for mid-June, park up near Ribblehead and head off for a few ups and downs. The day had started with rain, but the evening stayed dry, although there was much water in the brooks, streams and especially the first downhill towards dentdale. The magnificent seven started out, Charlie, Neil, Jamie, Chris M, George, Grant and CT for the route refer to http://www.sportstracklive.com/track/map#NeilH/Mountain-Biking/RADS/240892/full , roughly 21-22 miles, 3.5 hours, back in daylight and caught the setting sun. There are basically 3 hills to get over, 3 climbs and 3 descents, so great downhills, albeit the first one had us heading into the sun with water running off the fells and causing 'snow blindness' so watch out on the descents, we had to overtake a quad bike as well! The rocky descent gets faster towards the end so watch out for the corner. Now down to the road, eat some food and enjoy the lanes through Cowgill. Until the next hill climb, steady away, if you get to the gate first you get to stop and rest if not keep going, Charlie got the first gate, Grants tactics meant he got the next and a rest, then CT got the third one after 10 minute climb in 1st and 2nd gear, still 2 more gate to the top, Neil came through in front, then Charlie and Grant; Charlie made the next gate so Grant, Chris M and CT 'raced' to the top gate, at least as fast as you can in 2nd gear! Now a food stop and look down on the valley with sunlight shining. Now a little work over the fell and meet up with the gravel section of bridleway, this is fast downhill with stones for little jump-offs, but you have to watch the last corner as it can creep up on you, just look out for the tyre marks from locked up brakes of the guy in front, JB! Chris M decided he had to go and headed back to the cars, that left six to cross over the road and head up to the Cam High Road, the climb is hard at first but eases to a steady pace, cross a few water splashes and work your way up the fell, near the top we stop for food and discuss the merits of training with RADs when entering Bike 'O' world cup events! see photo (ref: http://eventor.orientering.se/Events/ResultList?eventId=1701&groupBy=EventClass and http://www.bmbo.org.uk/news/article.php?news_id=123). Onward to the top and to get onto the Cam High Road, this involves some peddling and as the water was standing in the ruts either side, the centre line looked best but you had to avoid all the rocks. After a while and a couple of gates the ride starts to get the full benefit of gravity, Charlie was out front, followed by CT and George, then Neil, Grant and Jamie; after a while Gravity really got going and Jamie managed to get past CT for the final section, in the dusky light this was fun! Back on the road for a warm down to the cars, back just after 10pm, grab some food from the cars, inspect some Gold/Silver World Cup MTB-O event 2011 and go home. Next ride The Red Lion, Lowick.
No comments:
Post a Comment