26th September 2013 - Ings (re-scheduled)

3 riders Jamie, Grant and George turned up at Ings for the yet again re-scheduled Ribbleshead ride. The ride  started up Grassgarth lane and onto the bridleway.  At the gate leading to Kentmere we kept straight on for the track to High Borrans and then along the road to Dubbs Lane. At the junction for Garburn we turned sharp left down to the top of Limefit.  On this fast downhill Grant got a pinch puncture which was quickly mended before proceeding towards the farm.  We then continued along the lane joining the bridleway up to the main road which we crossed and took the bridleway on the left just below the Mortal Man Inn.  At the end of this bridleway we joined the road and headed up Robin Lane.  At the top of the hill we took advantage of the seat and ate our snacks while we enjoyed the view of the lake. From the seat we headed down hill and back towards Troutbeck turning right at Townhead Farm and then taking the bridleway on the left after Jamie's in laws house.  Only Jamie managed to clear the hill back up to the road.  Then it was back for a quick sprint along the road to Ings.  George suffered a blow on his back tyre which created a mighty bang on the last 200yds of lane section before joining the main road so it was an easy walk back to the car. Just as well as the hole was way to big for a tooth paste tube repair. Next weeks ride Ings again for a short ride and food.

19th September 2013 - Barbon ? No Ings !

A developing trend saw the ride start from Ings, and not Barbon as listed!

During Thursday it became apparent that with Chris, Joel and Grant not able to make it, also with Charlie off to the US, the turnout was looking likely to be low.

The thought of a longer drive, for what would undoubtedly be a wet ride from Barbon, possibly alone, meant Neil had decided to give it a miss.

But late afternoon saw a last minute change of plan when George suggested going to Ings, which should make for better drained tracks, Jamie agreed.  So with no excuse, Neil quickly loaded his bike etc and  made a very hasty last minute drive to Ings.

So it was that George, Jamie and Neil pedalled up on the road toward Grassgarth, but undecided about the route. Towards Mickle Moss we thought about going into the Troutbeck valley, but having been there only last week it was decided to go onto Kentmere Hall. On the descent the light was fading fast, and at the gates half way down, we decided that we needed our lights on.

Across the valley to the Green Quarter climb, the weather forecast had said it would clear, but we had seen a gusty wind and showers on and off, rather like George's top layer which was also on and off a number of times.

From the top and past the ruined building the tracks had lots of deep puddles and seemed more rutted than usual, challenging riding, and we all found it hard to keep any flow on the descent. Down to HP Jamie bravely (?) took the original line before the trees, George and Neil went right on the hillside, all joined for the rocky drop through the trees to the road. Jamie was trying to fine tune his bike set up with a different longer stem and Neil had just fitted flat bars to adjust his position, so the route was proved to be a good test for both of them.

George had the foresight to time his puncture, two massive thorns in the front tyre, so we were sheltered from the wind as the tube was changed in the dip of Browfoot Farm. 

Frog avoidance was needed as we climbed up the “stream”, called Browfoot Lane. At the junction we all seemed drawn to the easier right turn option, then left to drop down to Grassgarth, and Ings.

Distance:      11.35 miles

Time:   1:35:16

Avg Speed:     7.1 mph

Elevation Gain:        1,686 ft

Link to GPS route - http://connect.garmin.com/activity/378233571

Next ride is – Ribblehead - Now at Ings as only a couple of folk can make it.

(But watch this space, and maybe wise to check your emails before setting off?)

12th September 2013 - Troutbeck

We re-located to Troubeck to avoid the country show at Crooklands and rain welcomed us, Joel, George, Jamie and CT met up and did the usual up Limefitt, down Garburn, up Troutbeck, and up onto Robin lane via the short-cut which was testing (keep an eye out for the stream to one side, it could easily swallow you up); then down Wain up Mirk or was it the other way around, we waved at Charlie's office on the way past, said hello to a badger, George says he was kissed by a passing bat (too many black and white films George), but they were flying low! and on the tarmac lanes which were running with water there were loads of emerging frogs, both young and old, it was like a slalom trying to avoid them all! Warm but wet evening with good testing climbs ;).
Next ride is Barbon

9th September 2013 - Selside for Borrowdale

Charlie, Grant, Jamie, George and Joel met up up the A6 out of Kendal...no sign of thunder so they set off, north up the bridleways to Jungle cafe, thencross over the road and head down the fast track to the lanes and round to the climb up the masts, guess  who raced who up the climb, 26ers vs 29ers!...watch this space for more news...

Joel writes: Jamie suggested an alternative start to the ride so we began by climbing up by thorn cottage, this also became the final descent. From Kids Howe we took the track to Ashstead and through a number of gates and farms before reaching the climb up to the transmitter, at least this is only done once a year! Grant and Charlie raced off leaving Jamie to take the challenge of catching them both, Grant said that he couldn't hear Jamie talking to him as all he could hear was the sound of his heart pumping, Jamie did catch him rather quickly. At the top it was beginning to get dark so we decided to descend in twilight rather than complete darkness. We then followed the valley floor until the farm where we stopped for cake supplied by Jamie. After this it was a small climb (JP spilt and cracked his knee, no pads this evening!) before following the river along and then back to the road and the final bridleway next to the caravan park and back to the cars.

Next ride was scheduled as Ribblehead, but it also clashes with the Westmorland show at Crooklands which usually clogs up the roads, so we shall go local and swap it with Troutbeck.

29th August 2013 - Lowick into Grizedale

Charlie, Jamie, Joel, Neil and Ian were there, (quiz Q: but what bike was Charlie riding?) route stats are here and the route went something like this...set off up Crake Valley, turned right at the farm Nibthwaite Grange 
and up the climb up Bletherbarrow Lane onto the resurfaced bridleway, 
down  the now faster decent, and the chance to get some air, to High 
Ickenthwaite. Left end down to Force Forge and the bridleway that cuts 
the corner to go towards Satterthwaite. Up the first track Moor Lane, 
where we normally park, the light was going as we went up the three 
bridleways towards Parkamoor, but turned right, north at the last forest 
road to eventually turn left to get onto the singletrack to go South to 
Low Parkamoor, and the challenging decent to High Nibthwaite, to deliver 
Ian to his door. 

Next ride is from Selside the A6 north of Kendal, park near Low Jock Scar, just after the parish hall.