1st November 2012 - Troutbeck

Charlie, George, Grant and CT met up at the lay-by near the church, when we set off 3 other mtber's turned up, but for a different ride. We did the usual up Garburn (half way) via Limefitt, turn right and enjoy descent down Dubbs, there was some confusion on route choice but all sorted by democratic discussion, "this way, no that way, this way......" then back up for the last section down Garburn, a tad slippy but rideable just watch those water bars. Then along the road, down the field and watch out for the gullies forming in the middle of the track and also the big bomb-hole which Grant thought I was heading into whilst following Georges tyre tracks, but managed to steer past it in one piece (better than last time!). Up hill and left along lanes to Mirk and Wain, here George had a couple of malfunctions, first mudguard interfering with tyre, second chain broke! Charlie was just ahead leading off and we shouted to stop (but she didn't), anyway bent chain was tricky to fix i.e. it wouldn't easily and eventually George opted to roll back to the cars, as it was raining and we wos only getting wetter; Grant gallantly decided to help him back, so they took an early bath at half time! I continued on and enjoyed the descent and eventually found Charlie near the bottom of the track and we continued up Mirk, the first section was actually rideable, until a branch had to be moved from the track, the big test was too loose after the recent rains, so we walked that bit, then rode the rest. No a bad short-ish ride, wet but not cold, if you kept moving. No pub off home for hot bath/shr. Next ride Staveley, Barley Bridge.