4 met up at the bottom of Dubbs lane, Chris M, Jamie, Freddie and CT, a bit windy, no real rain and a few stars were out, everyone else was at home watching Cavo win Sports P'of the Year. We set off up Moorhowe road to meet the next junction and tee off north past Latrigg to intersect with the bottom section of Garburn and see if we could ride the washed out bit and yes it was possible with some dabs. Along the road and down the field to cross and climb up to Town End, shed a layer as we were warming up and then through the village to climb up Robin Lane, we were wondering where all the rocks had gone, the ones washed down onto the roads 2 weeks ago, it appears as if the workmen have been and re-done Robin lane already, so it was a steady climb and then a fast drop down from the seat, then down Wain and along to Mirk for the climb back up and again climb back to the seat and down to the post office for a sit down and snack on JB's banana bread (recipe to follow?) very nice and moist. Down through the village past the church and up limefitt for the climb part way up Garburn to meet the junction with Dubbs, now this is where Freddie light decided to die, so he borrowed JB's helmet light for the blast down Dubbs, there was some loose rocks and some ravines, but it's a great fast ride. Back to the cars; according to gps log (so pinch of salt?) 10 odd miles, 2 hr 20min, only 744 calories burnt! and over 2000 ft climbed. Enjoy Christmas and a happy New Year. PS: photo message from Neil attachged, a great picture...spot Santa?
Neil, Jamie and CT met up for a cold sunny Sunday afternoon ride involving a trip over the snow and Garburn. We kept to the west side and so less mud but some puddles and frozen ice patches, not enough for spiked tyres thou'. So up the lane to Browfoot and up onto the top track, 3 rivers route and down to Kentmere for the start of Garburn. Here the bottom section has been washed out by the recent floods, but the clear blue skies added to the ride. Usual ride / walk up but there is now some snow to make it even more fun, we passed some walkers including 2 whippet type dogs who were cold and not happy even though they had dog jackets on.
Once over the top, quick snack and watch the sun going down, then down the snow and watch out for the gullies formed by the water erosion, some looked like they were dug by a JCB others like an earthquake had hit, all very interesting and it kept you on your toes, obviously a great test for a fox t'logic:). Off down Dubbs to the road, then over Borrans to finish, a bit of wind chill to end, hardly needed the lights, 3 hrs 20 mins, around 15 miles I think, a blue sky ride to savour. Thursdays ride from bottom of Dubbs Lane.
6 met up at Ings; George, Charlie, Ian, Freddy, Jamie and CT made it out, just, for a quick blast round and back to the Watermill for some food. Paul and Grant didn't make the ride but did meet up later for food. There was a slight delay to the start as Jamie was bringing Freddy's bike and we had to wait, first I think Jamie forgot something (only a wheel!) and then upon arrive needed to blow up said wheel with a flat tubeless tyre, by this time it was raining...loads, but we assisted with the tyre blow up, already to set off and D'oh flat tyre again, so JB said go ahead and he'll catch up. We though this was code for it's too wet for faffing about may as well go t' pub and meet the others.....We set off across road and up the tarmac warm up hill, out to 3 rivers was the route and by the second gate, JB had actually caught us up!! First river quite deep so wet feet, then right turn for the next two rivers and more wet feet, it does not matter how waterproof your stuff is if you go into the water! Just before the last river George slipped down a grass slope on his backside! and on the final track to the road, after all the technical stuff around Jamie's corner JB also took a still on slippy rocks, not too much blood! up and over hill and back to cars to change into dry clothes for the meal (all except George who left his at home!). We though Jamie may come into the pub in shorts just to show off his damage and compare with Grants 'I have a bad knee' situation. Anyway all safely into pub for the food and to wind down, Christmas nearly here...! Next Thursday ride TBA depending of weather, but somewhere local.
It was a windy day on Greengate (just off the Patterdale road), past the actual Trout Beck, I mean very windy, over 100mph up Scotland way on them hills; still it was a Thursday night ride so folk were out, well at least 4, Charlie, Chris M, Jamie and CT. Greengate was covered in rain water cascading down the road and lying below some large trees, so we parked just up the main road. First off up lime-fitt and down the bottom of Garburn, remember the last 100 yds past the buildings, well the rain from the last few days has taken all the small stones and left large rocky steps, so much walking down, very interesting to see the power of water. Along the road and cross over the beck, up into the village, have a quick word with some local folk and onwards up Robin Lane, again some water erosion or at least movement of rocks/stone from one place to another namely the village roads. We dropped down from the seat to Holbeck lane and again there were some ravines formed by the water and you had to keep your eyes peeled else you could end up a cropper. This time we headed down Mirk and back up Wain, Mirk again had ravines to look out for, and although wet had less mud to clog up with. Mirk climb was a tester as was the climb back up to the seat, where flapjacks were served. Back down Robin and down past the church to end, wet but having survived the windy night. there were rumours of snow higher up but we did not see any, but photo attached from Green Quarter Fell on Saturdays ride. Next ride from Ings where we shall have some festive fair/fare at the Watermill.
4 of us met up on the common car park, after a little bit of driving around each other car parks to see if anyone else had turned up! Ian, Grant, Jamie and CT made it. Not a bad evening, so start up the tarmac and onto the bridleway section up to the hostel, then enjoy the descent down the side of Loughrigg Terrace, past the caves and round to Rydal and then along the road by the river Rothay. Now a heading climb up the road to get to Loughrigg fell, steady work to the top, re-group and blast down the other side, it's all fairly smooth now, watch out for the man and dog, through the gate and over the rock slab, down and tootle round the tarn, back via the road (gardens closed form maintenance) and then down the final bridleway, note some ice forming on the timber bridges, care required, back to cars to change. No pub, next ride Troutbeck, park by river lay-by before church.
