5th July 2012 - Bowness for Ferry ride

7 of us started out from Neils place somewhere in uptown Bowness or is it downtown Windermere...no one ever knows, we eventually all met up at the ferry, it was a little damp, but it had been a good day without the downpours of a week earlier. We had the ferry crossing all to ourselves (this takes a lot of planning, but it helped that it was in the summer!) and then straight up the road climb then first right in Sawrey for the up and over to the singletrack down to the lake shore, this was a tad slippy in the damp conditions, it seems that wet weather after a dry spell equals slippiness? So take care downhill, re-group at the bottom full of smiles. Left along the shore route, where they are doing 'works' as so mud was a-plenty, we heard engines behind us and stopped to allow what we thought were some motorbikes, but turned out to be a Honda 90 bouncing his way home, looked like a pizza delivery bike! Onward to the base camp and up, but not the fire road, take the left hand bridleway as this is a test, in the wet, and it turns through the forest and joins up with the alternative route and brings us back onto the fire road at the bottom of the guide post extra loop. Now for the testing climb up into the forest, always worth a go :( anyway get to the top for a break. What happened next in the works of Neil " As I managed to 'clean' ride up through the little track through the trees to the top of Claife I was feeling pleased with my efforts –then as I came out of the trees, and the icing on the cake, a super surprise greeted me - Chris stood holding a birthday cake (with icing) and complete with candles, which seemed a bit surreal." (see photo to prove it).

Powered by Cake and candles !

Ferry all our own:)

How many bikers does it take to fix a bike.....?

The ferry gang

So now powered by cake we set off back to Sawrey, at the village it was about 9.15pm, still time for another circuit for the single track down to the shore, Ian was not keen and headed off down the road to the ferry, the rest kept going. Still damp and dark sky's threatening and thunder sounds kept us on our toes, but it only started to rain once we got to the bottom shore. Some folk donned water proofs, but we had 10 mins to get the next ferry so promptly set off along the shore, this section is deceptive as you think it's only a few hundred metres but it took 5-6 mins to make the ferry, Ian was not around and so must have made the earlier ferry. Again we had the ferry all to ourselves (I love it when a plan comes together!) The ferry chap stayed in his wheelhouse, nice finishing touch to the ride; off the ferry and now just the small matter of navigating back to Neils; Neils stayed back to make sure Paul found his way back, a small breakaway formed at the front...but we made it. Just a little rain but very mild. Sue, (Neils wife) came out and invited us in as she had made some nosh, something to do with someones Birthday, so we sorted the bikes into cars and changed for supper. Neil and Paul made it back, Neil mentioned putting the kettle on, it was a bit of a shock to find the table full of a spread, chilli, rice, baked 'tatoes...and more...and so a few of us ended the evening very well, Oh and there was some cake too, top marks to Sue!! Next ride Troutbeck, park near church/river layby, anyone got a birthday coming up...?