Saturday 26th January 2013 - Staveley SNOW ride with pics

Charlie setting off into the snow

Up towards Staveley Head

Recognise this bike?

Charlie attempting the HP drop!    ;)

Frozen beck

So after the snowfall on Friday Charlie and I ventured out to see what the riding would be like and decided on Staveley; to set the scene in Warton there was no snow, Milnthorpe 2", Kendal seemed to be about 4", Staveley 4-6" and out on the fells around Staveley Head 9". So it was an interesting drive (but safe on winter tyres, cheers CSC) but I did have to push a couple of cars out of the way in Staveley and there were many abandoned cars along the main road A591. We parked at Staveley Mill Yard and started out heading for Mill Lane, the first road was tricky due to partial thaw and loose snow, even studded tyres move around in slush, Mill lane was better as it was firmer, but you had to ride smoothly. At the top we met a skier checking out conditions, then we headed up to Staveley head, but once we left some tractor tyre tracks behind and rode on virgin snow it was very hard work, i.e. walking up any slopes. We had a play going up and down the single track and down using gravity seems to be OK until you hit a soft snow filled hollow then you end up making a snow bike angel of sorts, we both had out fair share of these :). Back via HP woods again testing, by this time the snow was thawing, then back home. Worth a play to get the feel of wet snow, fun with the sun out but hard work. See photos for an idea of the day.

24th January 2013 - Lowick

3 Of us met up near the Red Lion, Lowick; Charlie, Jamie and CT. We headed west for a circuit of Tottlebank, although we kept to the southern bridleway for a change and headed out past Birch Bank, there was about 2-4" of snow and it was not all frozen, so some mud in places, over Long rig and re-join the bridleway near Giants Grabe over the fell road and down the fell to Fell Gate, this is normally a quick descent but a little different in snow and there were a few wipe-outs, luckily soft landings and apparently very funny for the person watching behind! Turn right at the lane and enjoy the cold downhill ride (plenty of wind-chill factor).
Now up past Spunham wood, past Green Moor and up the climb back up to High Kep then back to the fords and back via Tottlebank, past the farm trying not to disturb the sheep and back to the cars for a warm up. Hard work in places but rewarding finding the grip. No pub stop, next Thursday ride is from Hawkshead (park by school).

Sunday 20th January 2013 - Farleton - Lupton

View from Farleton

So a few of us set out on a bit of an explore, initially Neil, Jamie and CT set off from Milnthorpe with a view to check out some bridleways north west of Lupton and any others on the way. Grant was to join us later after rugby training. So we went via Farleton bridleway and enjoyed the route over to the Plough Inn, whilst waiting to meet Grant we headed north past Crabtree wood and then east through some snow and back to Lupton. Now with Grant we went back north and picked up the bridleway on the west side of Scout Hill and on past Cragmire plantation, here the route is straight and over snowy ground, tricky but entertaining as long as you keep eating food for fuel, it was cold and windy. At the end we continued along the lanes to get to the B6254 LK road and head up to Barkin House and onto the next bridleway, these are less used and not all easily signposted, also you need the OL7 and OL2 OS maps as the route goes over two maps. Anyway we headed further north east until mid-late afternoon when light was fading then we headed back via Lowther plantation (it's a bit muddy along the wood edge and we were even warned by a sign but still managed to follow the bridleway), go past Barden Energy at Fleet farm (it's on the bridleway) and back to the A65 where we dropped Grant back for his car and then we headed back over to Farleton via the bridleway up past Hollin Hall and onto Seaford Lane and then up a small hill to Farleton where we paused to eat the last of our food and then could enjoy our descent back down and homeward, we also pasted a gritter on the lanes and now know what it is like to be sandblasted! 

GPS data as follows:
Distance: 28.66 mi (Neils bike trip computer said 30+)
Time: 4:19:05 (riding time, we were out nearly 6 hours)
Avg Speed: 6.6 mph (interesting as the GPS stops if you are not riding fast enough and up hill in snow it cuts out!)
Elevation Gain: 3,842 ft
Calories: 1,756 C (not as much as last week! felt a lot more!!)
Avg Temperature: 31.5 °F (i.e. cold and very cold in the wind)

East of Farleton Fell

Checking just before descent

Above Old Town looking east

17th January 2013 - Barbon NOT ridden?

Apparently no one showed up, folk were either working, away, busy, too tired or injured....... tumble weed! So this week it's Lowick, park near the Red Lion.

Sunday 13th January 2013 - Windermere to Grizedale

So a few of us met up for a Sunday afternoon tootle into Grizedale, Jamie, Neil and CT (note that any weekend rides are not on the schedule but arranged ad-hoc). At around 1pm it started to sleet (it didn't look like it would settle). We managed to catch the 1.30pm ferry and headed south to Cunsey bridge then west along the permitted trail, left onto the road and south to Hazelseat and the timber joinery yard to start the bridleway climb just after the buildings keep right. 
At this point the snow was sticking on the ground and the climb was a real tester, mud, snow and trees. At the Low Dale Park Plantation there was a section being felled and the trail was cordoned off, but no sign of any alternative so we bashed through the felled trees which was tricky at times, but the odd ridable section helped then over the fire road and take a right turn, now it got interesting, i.e. mud, snow, rocks and tree roots so another interesting section with the odd dab;). At the road section a few yards then turn off the road and over the stream and more testing climbing, but worth the challenge to make you feel good when it works. Now heading to Satterthwaite and the last section has some rocks and we met 2 folk dog walking.
Down to Satterthwaite and a quick bite to eat, noting that our spds were getting clogged up with ice/snow and so sometimes difficult to clip into, hence many times bashing feet against anything to try and engage the pedals (just ask Jamie!). 
Now up Moor Lane and into Grizedale for some fire roads and then onto the North Face trail, here the fire roads were covered in snow and it was sticking well to the bikes, wheels, frames and the drizzle continued on. When we joined the NF trail we found that the board-walk had been replaced by rock garden, but as these were covered in snow they were slippery, will be interesting in dryer times to see how they compare. We battled on through the snow, saw a glimpse of a deer and some other tracks but it was very quiet and NO other MTBers. 
Now it was getting dark and turning into a night ride, this was OK for Neil and CT as we had lights, but someone else had forgotten theirs! So the descent into Hawkshead was interesting. Then we headed back by the road to catch the ferry, the roads being covered in snow the descent was not so fun. Back to Neils for a coffee and cake, cheers Sue :) Oh about 21.62 miles and back about 6pm (photos to follow....) 
Actual data from GPS: 
Distance:21.62 mi
Time:5:10:57, Moving time 3:19:25
Avg Speed:4.2 mph!!!! Avg Moving Speed:6.5 mph (must be those ferry times;) 
Max Speed:26.6 mph
Elevation Gain:2,657 ft
Calories:1,988 C
Avg Temperature:30.5 °F

Ferry ride home in the dark, (2 out of 3 lights ain't bad:)

Yes it's snowing and getting dark!

Light snow to start

Nice front wheel sticking with snow

10th January 2013 - Troutbeck

It was a little foggy on the way over, down to 20mph (car speed), so helmet mounted lights could be fun, Charlie, Neil, Grant, George, Jamie and CT met up in the lay-by near the church. So there were 6 of us, 3 on 29er and 3 on full sus'; the symmetry continued as 3 were wearing red tops and the others blue, so teamwork by default. Route was up Limefitt then on up Garburn, down to Dubbs, along the road, watch out for ice, right and down the last section of Garburn down to the road; on the last technical section JB tried to overtake CT (red top) but unfortunately it was Charlie who was caught in the jet-wash and knocked off course! (also in red top), no harm done must look out for colour blind MTBers ;) Down the foggy road in colour formation (not) down the grassy hill, watch out for the bomb hole (it's getting bigger) over the wooden bridges - very slippery - and up into Troubeck, then Robin lane and rest at the seat looking at the starry night sky. Tried to take a red/blue team photo on a phone camera in the dark = rubbish! Down the track and back to the cars, it was a tad cold. Next ride Barbon

3rd January 2013 - Staveley

Anybody have any New Years resolutions.....well 2 made it out, Grant and CT, it was misty more than rainy and foggy in places, but we did not actually need any Goretex:) Keeping to the west side of the valley, up Browfoot lane, in the mist this seemed a long way when I thought we were mostly there, we still had half way to go! Steady climb up then right along to 3 rivers, but then down to Kentmere Hall, back via Long houses. The tops were very foggy, the climb up past long houses was a test, the navigation to Staveley head area where we went right to HP was tricky in the fog and we know the way! Remember maps and compass when in doubt. HP was manageable still can't get the drop in right, at the bottom a few riders went past on the road, I am sure it was Heathers crew, I could hear her taking! back to the cars all before 9pm, the warm weather helped. Next ride Troutbeck

1st January 2013 - Nibthwaite

A nice little solo ride to celebrate the New Year, apparently other folk were either holidaying, hung over or looking for milk (we took ours out of the freezer). Nice weather for the start of the year, I headed up the east side of Coniston on the road (note the lake was very high, i.e. the water was up to the jetties with no beaches for kayaks) and the once past Brantwood turned right onto a bridleway at Bank Ground heading for Lawson Park, then up the climb to the fire road (cleaned it:)) a little rain here and along the fire road to head off for Parkamoor and down great hill to enjoy the descent to Ian's gaff where I enjoyed my first real coffee of the year, cheers Ian. During the ride I saw 3 roadies on the first stretch, one horse and rider in the forest, 2 guys on hardtails doing the descent and 3 motocross riders coming up the descent. Drove home for a cuppa tea and found that defrosted milk still has ice cubes in it and so tea gets very cold very quickly :( , hint pre-heat milk first, first lesson for 2013!
Enjoy 2013 and see you Thursday at Barley Bridge, Staveley.