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?)