28th July 2011 - Sedbergh - The Calf

8 riders turned up at Sedbergh town car park, Charlie, Paul, George, Grant, Jamie, Chris M, Neil and CT. For a change we were going up The Calf, nice warm July evening, although the sun had been replaced by clouds and there was some mist on the tops. The route is to head along the lanes out of Sedbergh and take the 3rd bridleway at the Howgill cross-road junction, work your way long the fell, down to the river crossing and then start the climb, first part rideable, then some portage, pushing to you and me! This route has also been covered in various mtb mags and on one I found, it had a section on portage so maybe this was a sign....! The one thing to remember is the great views from the top and the even better descent all the way down. See photos for base camp at half way point! OK so there was mist rolling in near the tops and it got cold, so jackets were the order of the day on top and for the ride down. Check your route off the Calf as you do not want to head north for Calderdale as this is a long ride for an evening, so keep heading east and head down towards Winder, but take the single-track to the left and ENJOY! Details; 10.66 miles, max 24.93mph (at least on Neils old bike), ave speed 4 mph !! The Calf trig point is at 676m so not too bad for an evening ride, Howgill lane at the bottom by the farm is around 200m, so 476m descent. All survived! Next ride is Hawkshead.

21st July 2011 - Askham for High Street

5 met up at Askham, Charlie, Grant, Jamie, and the Chris's; Grant had a new bling gold Hope evo 2 wheel...but it was not made up and still in a box, so he had to make do with the old lop-sided one for now. Head south out of Askham, thru Helton, then tee off right for Cockle Hill and the bridleway up onto Loadpot hill, steady away, even though a little damp, grip was OK for a steady climb, just watch out for sheep ticks! Once at the top of loadpot you get onto the High Street, great views (see pics). From here it's down the high street, detour off to Arthurs pike and follow the track downhill, this gets very fast, if a little lumpy to start, all we could hear was Grant doing his jester impression! Past the cockpit and keep going (mostly) downhill to Askham. This ride gives great descents, after a little climbing to start and great views around. Next ride Sedbergh.

14th July 2011 - Elterwater

We parked on the common as there is still some drainage water works in Elterwater village car parks and so we will leave the parking as free as possible for the pub goers. This day as also a big mountain stage in the Tour De France (TdF), a couple of folk managed to watch part of the live action before our ride out. So if we continue with the TdF theme the riders will be described in their possible tour twins (very loosly no offence!!); first the gold medalist Sanchez, next Cancellara (powerhouse), then senior domestique Jens Voigt, then Leipheimer (another long termer) and finally Jonny Hoogerland (part time mountain climber), you should be able to work it out otherwise ask CSC, JB, NH, GT or CT. Rumor had it Jens wanted another epic, although he was knackered after watching the tour all day, so CSC devised a figure of eight route; up the first hill to Dale End for the warm up! then Hodge close past Brian's house, up and over to Iron Keld, at the top we stopped for some Blondie cakes, cheers CSC, then along came 5 other riders, they set off before us and we rode down taking a couple of mini detours along sheep tracks. Down to the road turn left back via the woods (not quite cleaning the climbs!) head to Tilberthwaite via the play area and then climb up, another good tester, down to the ford, up the lane to repeat start and bomb down the rocky route home. Maybe we should add some KoM and sprint points to our riders...., letters to the editor? Next ride is Askham, park by the swimming pool.

7th July 2011 - Keswick - Latrigg

6 met up near Briar Rigg, George, Grant, Chris M, Paul, Neil and CT, Grant was trying to ride his knackered wheel with loads of play, people kept asking if it needed tightening up and Grant said it was! Anyway when riding the centrifugal forces kept it straight, at least as long as Grant was peddling. So the start was straight UP the Cumbrian Way, this is first gear and not the best warm up! Hang a right down Whinny Brow and along the river for the old railway route,(watch out for the odd steps), this is a very nice route and I love those bridges, just like Madison County. Head out to Threkeld, waiting for the usual shouts warning of 'cars' only this time it was 'bus', which are very big on narrow lanes. Up the lanes past teh Blencathra centre, re-group, light snacks, have a quick test on Georges bike and yes that saddle is hard. Now head along Blease Fell until the end of the valley, here they have re-laid the bridleway at the end, so we took the challenging option and went left. Now head back along the other side of the valley and watch out for Lonsdale Crags. Re-group at the end and take some photos, through the gate, Grant, George and Chris M were off, next Neil, then Paul, CT took up the rear, but this is a great descent approx 50m height loss over 1km and is fast, so CT caught up with the group and managed to squeeze past at the Whit Beck crossing. Now onto Latrigg for the view and to see some guys flying a large kite, what a great view, sunset over Keswick and a clear view of Skiddaw, any takers for a quick ride up.....No! Now back for the fast downhill, very enjoyable if some burning brakes smell! Next week it's Elterwater, wonder if Neil has any extra route choices......?

30th June 2011 - Lowick Bridge

George, Neil, Paul, Chris M, Jamie and CT met up by the Red Lion, the tractors were out in the evening light cutting and collecting fields of hey, so no parking near field gates! Head west out to Kiln bank, over to Tottlebank, regroup at the open road, play a little on some rocks cross over and continue on the bridleway, Jamie had another route choice and CT and Neil followed...meaning a little climb, then an undulating ridge ride looking for the exit route, drop down to the right fast singletrack, with one big step! meet up at the bottom and watch a mini-JCB telehandler being driven up the fell road by a youth wearing a Dickie bow! Down the road, right up first part of climb but take first left, some folk wanted to keep climbing...but the left route is nice singletrack, cross river through wood, up lane and climb up Yew Bank stop at top for view, what an evening sunshine, mountain views, brilliant! Back down the track and look for the bridleway, all covered in bracken...so we missed the normal turn and messed around for a few minutes, but OK in the end, down rock step, over stream then get passed by 5 moto-cross bikes, head left for testing climb, it is steep! continue over Cockenskell, blast down the final descent and back via the lanes, only 9pm...early bath! Next ride Keswick