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 When we joined the NF trail we found that the board-walk had been replaced by rock garden, but as these were covered in snow they were slippery, will be interesting in dryer times to see how they compare.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