31st May 2012 - Elterwater

New Alien species...?

Puncture no.3

 Little Langdale

How to ride a 29er...that's toooooo large!

6 turned up on the common (shown as Walthwaite Bottom), Joel, Charlie, John, Neil, Jamie and CT for a warm evening after some rain earlier in the day. We headed west with an idea to head for Tarn Hows, just an idea mind, Neil was with us and last time we ended up in Grizedale! This time we headed NW past Chapel Stile and took a bridleway west then south past Oak Howe and past the Gt. Landale campsite, not too bad but not a rocky as last time. Back to little landale and round past fell foot bridge, keeping low and back to the ford, on the last section Jamie had his 1st puncture and we also waited for Joel, who also had a puncture, but his tyre had split at the casing rim juncture, much harder to fix, luckily a biking friend only lives up the road, so Charlie headed off in search of a spare tyre. We had a go at a repair using an old toothpaste tube, but the split was about 2 inches and so it was proving tricky, fortunately Sir Charlie the gallant returned with a spare tyre and we could fit that, cheers to Brian:) We now headed round Hodge Close and to High Tilberthwaite (not going to tarn hows tonight). Up and over and back to the ford, groundhog day, another puncture, well a rim malfunction = sealant leak due to high corner speeds, well it was Jamie! so another inner tube. Now up to the plantation for the run through the trees and guess what puncture no.4, guess who....Jamie, now run out of 29er tubes so had to squeeze on a 26 tube and yes it does work, just make sure the tyre rim is seated correctly before adding lots of air pressure. At the last pit stop Joel found a small lizard, no idea what type, but at least there is wildelife in the woods. All back at the cars for nearly 10pm, no pub back home as the midges were coming out for supper. Next ride from Milnthorpe, Farleton if not too wet.