24th April 2014 - Sedbergh for Baugh Fell and back via Cautley

Grant, Jamie, Neil, George, Charlie and CT met up in or near Sedbergh ;) and set off north east on the A683, although there are other bridleways going off to the sides, we felt better to keep going and take the lane to bluecaster, here we saw a yellow landrover 4x4 seemingly stuck in the mud (or ran out of fuel?), there was some bog in places, but generally a good ride, then tee off right and run along the river Rawthey valley until a bridge is reached, good singletrack and then a climb out of the valley and onto a road for a bit. Keeping heading north eats for a ways, then go left down a bridleway and cross a ford, a tricky bit here, cross over the road and climb again. pick up the bridleway and start to head back, this turns into some very good singletrack so enjoy. Lights on along here and we kept heading back. No puncture and back before 10pm, result and a good ride out. Next ride meet near Yew tree tarn off Coniston Road, A593, parking after Yew Tree farm on RHS up lane, signed Hodge Close only.

17th April 2014 - Lowick

Evening still young

The Bank Holiday weekend was approaching, but the weather was holding fair and it was a great evening, 5 met up near the Red Lion (maybe back for last orders); Neil, Jamie, Grant, Phil and CT; Neil had even had time for a day ride out Clapham way - nice warm up:) So we set out north west for a tour of the common, pretty usual start, bar for one wrong turn down a farm lane;( then onwards, Kiln Bank first then Tottlebank, here we headed over to Cockenshell, then west to Green Moor, down the grassy fell (we sometimes climb this and it is very fast downhill) and along the bridleway and through the woods to the road, then up the fell to the west of Yew Bank. Here we often head right, but stayed on the trail and descended to the road at Torver, then along the main road and right to take the first bridleway past Moor farm, a nice section through woods, then out onto Torver Low common, good track past the small tarn, but somehow Jamie managed a puncture, so rest stop, jackets on as the wind was around, then off again. Keep south and basically meet up with the usual route back to the cars, but at the next lane junction, it was still a nice evening and so we continued on looking for a route south, somehow we went more west and so had to do a bit of navigation over the fell, at least the stars were out so the 'Plough' was useful to check north/south, even to double check the GPS! A little use of sheep trods, a couple of cairns and we found our way out of the fell moss and back onto a bridleway we knew, then just the matter of about 6 miles home and one steady big climb out. Might be useful to see the route in daylight;) and back at the cars for 11pm, just missed last orders! In summary: useful to have a map and know where you are and have spare food in your backpack. Next ride is Sedbergh, meet at usual car park.

Some data from Neil:
Distance: 19.72 mi
Time: 2:41:10
Avg Speed: 7.3 mph
Elevation Gain: 2,972 ft
Calories: 1,223 C
Avg Temperature: 42.1 °F

Additional info:

Time:	2:41:10
Moving Time:	2:36:30
Elapsed Time:	4:25:24

Avg Speed:	7.3 mph
Avg Moving Speed:	7.6 mph
Max Speed:	28.4 mph

Also off Strava (same Garmin!):

• 31.7km
  Distance
• 906m
  Elevation
• 2:45:03
  Moving Time
• 1,159
  Calories

Heading to Green Moor

10th April 2014 - Elterwater

Joel, George, Grant, Jamie and CT met up on the common, we had a short wait and so had a test ride up the scar to the north east where a couple of folk were flying remote controlled gliders in the wind, they are very quiet. So we set off up the road west past the holiday place, then left over the bridge and up past the quarry, onwards and upwards for the early testing climb, never really warmed up, someone said why don't we ever come down this bit...then over towards the ford, we passed a few MTBers going the other way enjoying the day as we were, including Ewen (of www.Trailhum) who had assisting Joel, Neil and CT on a coaching session last year. Over the ford, past the play ground, up the quarry climb, over the lane and up to get to the main road and head over High Oxen Fell to High Arnside. We paused and thought we could take in the golden mile ride if we tee'd off to the right, so we did:) The bottom half of the G'mile has been surfaced and so can be fast so take care, we found some other routes;) now right onto the road and head along the new-ish cycle path alongside the road and then out onto the road and turn right in 50 yds up a bridleway, this crosses over to the main A593, but you cross over that and onto another cycle path, take the second lane and ride up the lane, keep going until Hodge Close, have a look at the edge of the quarry lake, but not too close, not lights on and back the way we came to the playground, Jamie hung back as we rattled down the slate path and we waited at the playground, no sign so we headed back and Jamie had a puncture and he said he was only going slowly on his CX (slowly for JB!). So having had a slight mechanical rest, we decided to go left and up past Tilberthwaite and back to little Langdale, nice steady climb 99% do-able;) Back via the ford and then retrace our steps to do the first climb as a descent, which was a tester, Grant and CT slipped whilst walking!! hint stay on the bikes, then Grant fell off his bike, but was OK. Back to the cars nearly 10 dreaming of chips....Next ride is Lowick to the common.

3rd April 2014 - Keswick for Blencathra

5 turned out, Grant, George, Jamie, Mike and CT, there was a slight mist in the air but no real rain. We headed east along the road and took the first turn up the lane and headed along to join up with the old railway line, then along to Threlkeld and UP to Blencathra. There is now a Hydro scheme further up the valley and so the track has been used by heavy vehicles, but it is not too bad and the descent down to the beck is great, Jamie managed to get his cross bike across the bridge due to narrower bars! Now a little testing climb up to the top track and back down the other side of the valley, NOTE there are testing slippy rocks along the way, so we stopped for some fortification and set off, we tried without lights for a little way, but then needed lights to check the rocks formation and try not to look down! Now it is mostly downhill and great fun, albeit some stinky mud was found on the way down! All safe even if Jamies brakes went off the boil during the descent. Next ride Elterwater (before Easter crowds!)