23rd August 2012 - Hartsop for Ullswater shore

New shoes!

Martindale common (southern end)

Deer hunting...where's the deer?

4 met up at the Hartsop village car park, how many do you think finished the ride ....Well George, Jamie, Joel and CT headed north along the tracks over stream crossing (JB trying to keep his new shoes clean :) and up the first ascent heading for Boredale Hause, JP struggled with the steep bit and was not feeling well, after pushing to the top of the track he was still not right and with a common sense head on decided to head back home, now we were three. We were heading for the east side of Martindale common and went over Bedafell Knott, a little walking but this offers an alternative descent and on the way we saw wild deer as we headed down to Dale head, although they were a little spooked by CT's squealing brakes (although after the heat of the downhill they were fine!) .Head along the lane round to Sandwick to pick up the bridleway west along the shore, it was starting to get a little dusky but we all had lights at the ready, note this first section is one of Charlie's faves, just watch out for wild sheep ready to throw you off the bike and damage your ribs, anyway we all survived and enjoyed some rock hopping, until a little shout from JB as his rear mech was playing up, a quick tweak from JB and we were off, only for the next set of rocks cause said mech to break the old zip-tie repair, so now the chain would not run smooth but it seemed if JB rode smoothly he could carry on and was still faster down hill! So a bit of walking uphills was involved and it was now dark and if you stop you DO need your midge repellent, so be warned if you stop by water! Now we were making progress, but the next thing was that the rear mech jockey wheel carrier broke off so now it was the end, JB had to scoot back whilst we rode to get the cars. It takes a good 10 minutes back on the road and so it was 10-ish before I got back to Patterdale to find JB. Update: Joel had got safely home earlier to rest up. Next ride is from Troutbeck and maybe Garburn if weather holds?

16th August 2012 - A6 Selside north of Kendal for Borrowdale

It must be the holiday season, 3 turned out and met near Selside, CT cycled from Milnthorpe and met up with JB in Kendal and both cycled to Selside (for future reference note it's uphill!) but you can take a little extra bridleway to get to the car park spot. Then Grant arrived (29er had been washed) so now 2 hardtails. Basically head across the road down the fields to the lanes and head along top the masts, which means a 20 minute climb up Whinfell, steady away....nice flapjack cake at the top as reward and just enough breeze to help cool down. The descent was boggy in places, but not too bad, also some rain but it was a warm evening so no need for waterproofs. Drop into the Borrowdale valley and head west, nice enjoyable route along this quiet valley between the A6 and the M6. Back on the A6 take the bridleway after jungle cafe and watch out for holes along the route, this section can be fast. Back at Grants car and time to cycle home, a good way for a few extra miles on the bike. next ride is Ullswater shore, meet at Hartsop

9th August 2012 - Lowick

5 riders made it out for a summer evening ride into Grizedale, George, Ian, Jamie, Grant and CT; worth noting that Grant had his new 29er hardtail, so watch out. Slight detour by heading over river and them up the first lane, it's a bit steep... then left and thru' the farm and over fields, watch out for muddy holes, this meets back up at the top of the normal climb and so across the fields and again watch out for muddy holes, Ian :) then enjoy the descent down the trail it's fantastic, just dry enough for a blast, although enough for Ian to loose his water bottle. Along the lane and left into the forest up the climb, then left and right. This time instead of going thro' the puddles we headed for Parkamoor via Park Crags. Time to photograph the sunset over Consiton and then down along to Nibthwaite, where Ian lost his chain and so freewheeled down in the dust light almost as fast as we did, again this is a great descent. Drop into the pub to hear some folk music and also top up on Olympic beach volleyball (mens :(. Next ride Borrowdale from A6 Shap road, Selside.

2nd August 2012 - Witherslack for Yewbarrow

But first.....we met up at Milnthorpe and watched some Olympic track cycling at the velodrome, we watched the mens team sprint, GB got gold, Hoy making some history; unfortunately Victoria Pendleton did not due to an error and would have to wait one more day for a medal opportunity (she got Gold the next day in the Keirin, Ed). So Ian, Jamie, Charlie, Grant and CT watched the Olympic TV and then cycled out to Witherslack for a circuit of Yewbarrow, it was a tad muddy in places but no rain during the ride. On the way back we did a liitle bit of chain gang riding with Charlie taking lead and trying to teach us the art of working together (no i in team and all that...!) but it's a good workout. Next ride is Lowick