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?