20th September 2012 - Elterwater

5 turned out on the common (inc' 3 hardtails), Joel, Grant, Neil, Jamie and CT, the weather was changeable but not fun waterproofs to start, i.e. the odd spot of rain. We headed north up the road and then over the beck up through the quarry, through the wood and down to Little Langdale right along the road and up the track to High Tilberthwaite, along here it started to rain, but it's still a good climbing test so steady away. At the top gate re-group for the descent which as it was wet caused a few 'moments' but all safely down and then Hodge Close and up to Iron Keld, still a bit damp! up and over the top and back via the river route, but watch out for frogs, what is it about being near this stretch of river but frogs abound and it was hard work trying to spot them before your tyres made any marks ;) we shouted a few warnings to each other but there must have been hundreds over the course of the ride and even one in the car park trying not to get run over. No photos as it's now getting murky dark quite soon. No chips as still raining and want to get home for a warm up.  
Next ride Red Lion, Lowick
Link to GPS route here: http://www.sportstracklive.com/track/map#NeilH/Mountain-Biking/Elterwater/779095/ just over 11 miles with 1700 ft climbing/descending.

13th September 2012 - Satterthwaite

Grizedale route

George, Joel, Neil, Charlie, Grant and CT met up in the usual lay-by south of Satterthwaite village for a mystery ride into Grizedale, it was a little cold and felt like rain may fall, so the usual discussions of what to wear, too many layers as usual. We set off into the village and them did the south east bridleway before heading back to Breasty Haw (see map attached) Then the usual route, kinda, to find the Fox, here we decided to go south west down towards the visitor centre (VC) which means the rocky bouldering route that comes out by the VC, great fun if you could manage to keep going and wither not dab or not fall off! Then start up the fire road towards the NF, but keep going and go up the bridleway next to the black route finish, keep climbing, over a couple of junctions and head over to the tank tracks, but turn left and enjoy the descent down Moor lane back to the cars, less than 10 miles in the end, but plenty of smiles for the downhill. It warmed up fine in the end, nice mystery route finding type o'ride. Next week it's Elterwater, park on common.  

****   PS: This is the 400th post!! Thanks to all contributors   ****

Wednesday 12th September 2012 - "Tour of Britain", Old Hutton

"Bad" ass registration on this Merc'

Umbrella competition! note Team Sky car

Police STOP

Breakaway group

Team Sky feed zone, I wonder if the food has a blue stripe....?

Cav' in front of peleton

Wiggo flashing past (nearside left of photo)

A few of us met us near Old Hutton and Old Town to see some cyclists cycle past! Charlie and I cycled out in waterproofs and met Jamie at the feed zone just before Old Town, I believe Neil and family were also out on the road somewhere, Ian should have been in KL and Jim was aiming to be around Kirkby Lonsdale for some photo opportunity. There were quite a few folk around some in cars and some on bikes, some of the team support crews were commenting on British weather in late summer ;). There was a breakaway about 5 minutes in front and when the peleton came past Cav' was in front and team Sky near the front aiming to chase down the breakaway before the flat approach to Blackpool for a sprint finish for Cav' I only have a few photos but they will give a taste. Enjoy the tour.

6th September 2012 - Barbon

George, Jamie, Grant, Joel, Charlie and CT turned out on an evening where it was trying to rain, but just light warm mist, so what to wear Charlie could not decide but compared colours with Jamie (see photos, hasn't Charlie grown, nearly as tall as JB!). Usual route, warm up in first 100m up little hill, along lane, left onto bridleway up climb along track to lane, nice new tarmac, enjoy climb, steady away, through top gate and re-group, feels like the top but is really only half way up. George forgot his camera so no panorama views of the mist..but celebration 'Allsorts' from Charlie for doing well in some recent races! Carry on around hill and enjoy the descent, rocky, slippy and everyone sliding about, great fun. Back onto lanes, wave to some folk camping by the river, cross river, dip foot in river (JB), hammer back race styleee. Back to cars for chat, no pub, then home...although CT's Saab decided to make the journey tricky by cutting out a few times and so JB and Joel offered back up and followed CT to garage for new fuel! Next ride is Satterthaite, remember the Tour of Britain comes through Cumbria on Wednesday 12th September go and enjoy.

30th August 2012 - Troutbeck for Garburn

At last a summer evening, moon and all, top of Garburn

Moon reflecting on pond, Kentmere valley

4 riders met up at the pull in near Troutbeck church, George, Paul, Jamie and CT; as it happened Jamie cycles from Kendal and CT cycled from Staveley, George overtook us both on the lanes and tested his horn (road rage?). It was a fine evening and we headed up Garburn via Limefitt caravan park then the steady start up the gravelled lower section of Garburn. The technical sections are still very testing when climbing and after about the 5th corner we could hear a hissing noise and we eventually found the cause being a small gash in CT rear tyre, which although was tubeless had run out of sealant and so a new tube was required, at least the pause allowed George to take some pictures. Onward and up to the top, here there was some breeze and so no midges, great, also the moon was out and so gave a photo opportunity (see pic). So down the other side and watch the technical bits, but remember the lower section is loose and as hard as the rocky parts. Round past the church and up to 3 rivers, on the way another photo of the moon reflecting on the fish pond below (see pic, thanks George). Now it was getting darker, test those lights, at the river crossing take it easy or if you are Jamie try it three times just so you don't get wet feet! Along past the boggy bit, not bad, and we split up at the next junction as Jamie and CT were cycling back and George and Paul had to find their cars. On the blast down to the Ings road Jamie had a puncture, bad luck but it's a great descent. A fine evening, next ride is Barbon.