22nd May 2014 - Barbon

*** 500th post ***

Who would have thought, started this blog about 10 years ago, yes 10 years, obviously RADs have been around longer but we shall not look back too far...memories...(for old photos see link --->>>)

So Barbon and the rain may have put some folk off, but no Charlie, George, Grant, Joel and CT made it for the usual route. A little late starting off but Joel was off like a shot, new gears you see :) the first bridleway hill is a tester, just try to get past the old concrete road then you are away, yes cleaned! Then blast along the level-ish section and re-group at the road, climb up hill, 1st engage all gears and keep pedalling;). A wee rest before the next off-road to discuss the favoured Le Tour spectator location for Sat 5th July, we still don't know where's best...onwards and upwards, here the wind was getting interesting, through the gate and up, 2nd gate and rest, now downhill into a funny head wind. The rocky, muddy section has changed but you have to watch where your wheels go! Down to the river, now the rain had gone the views were clear down the valley and also the bluebells, sorry no pics; then over the bridge and blast back via the old hill climb course, all back in daylight and it had stopped raining awhile ago, so all good, a few went to the pub after, then an early bath beckons. Next ride Ings for a local loop, Garburn perhaps...

15th May 2014 - either Staveley (MTB) or Barrow-in-Furness (Road crit)

So the storey went something like this...
A) If you went to Staveley (Grant, George and Neil?) let us know how you got on...and Joel turned out for a nice evening ride.


B) Or a few of us went to Barrow for the Tours Series event; Jamie, James (with camera of course, see pics here), CT and Charlie who rode out on what turned out to be a balmy summers evening.

Basically they close off a few city centre streets and a bunch of bikers race round and around, so you get a good chance to see racers every minute. You can easily walk the course and select your spot or walk on and spot James doing his thing, or speak to race mechanics, managers etc, plus a mad person on the PA and a mascot on stage!

The weather was perfect, chips were available as Charlie wanted some food and no flapjacks available, then Costa coffee to end! Here are a few snaps of mine.

Mascot :)

Photographer in action

Wheelbase rider

Just pipped at the finish line

Charlie with hot chocolate ;)

Next ride is Barbondale, meet at Barbon by the church.

8th May 2014 - Selside A6 north of Kendal for Borrowdale Valley

7 of us met up north of Selside (north of Kendal) off the lane leading to Low Jock Scar: Charlie, George, Grant, Jamie, CT, even Paul made it (1st Rads ride in 2014!) and we also had our official photographer James Kirkby. It was a damp start but not really raining more a think mist! So first up the bridleway on the west side of the A6 which leads out at the Jungle cafe (now Kendal caravans) then up the A6 to turn off right and the bridleway lane down the hill to get past the horses and muddy patch, then along the lanes to get to the mast climb and over Whinfell common. See photos of the mist. After what seemed like a long climb (as the mist was so think you could not see past 30 yds maybe that was a good thing, so just keep plodding up, up, up...)we all re-grouped at the masts, which were barely visible due to the mist for a quick snack and chat. Now down the side of the valley through the bog-ness, past the cows and down to the Borrowdale valley route back to the A6. Now the mist was clearing. Along past the old farmhouse (low borrowdale I think) and continue along the bridleway, there is apparently another bridleway on the other side of the river, maybe next time;). Back to the A6, wait a little while Paul had a brake interface mechanical then down the A6 and back via the first bridleway to the lane by the cars, here some people were outside their cottage with their dog and commented of how good the lights dancing over the field looked whilst we descended the last hill track, albeit it did not feel balletic from our point of view. Back to the cars to dry out.

Descent off the A6, you can just see the track

Young Grant and George:)

George leading Paul out of the mist

Jamie and a cross bike

George chasing Grant!

CT concentrating;)

Le Group

James the photographer captured in action!

Night riding:)

Other news:
*** Jim is raising awareness for Cancer via an event in June, see here, 1weekinjune.org/ ***

Next Thursday is the Tour Series event in Barrow with Wheelbase cycle team riding around the circuits, come along if you wish, so no MTB event next week 
Update: G&G are going from Barley Bridge, Staveley if you fancy a ride.

1st May 2014 - Hodge Close area, over Iron Held and into Grizedale

6 met up just off the Coniston road, A593 south of Yew Tree farm on the Hodge Close road, George, Charlie, Joel, Jamie, Grant and CT, a couple of folk were late having set off up the Torver road, apparently it's quicker via Ambleside :). We set off in the uaual RADs fashion of climbing straight from the car park! Head up the lane to Hodge Close and take the first bridleway on the RHS, it's a little climb but not too bad, keep going and check out the view into the quarry keep going and pick up the high oxen fell track and take in the NT plantation descent, although the mud/water puddles do slow you down, right turn at the bottom, along the trak, Jamie rode over the bridge (narrow bars!) then right at the road and climb up pulling wheelies for some;), right at the next junction and along to take the bridleway on the right, so we did the Iron Keld from the bottom, yes that's right we climbed up, again not tooo bad once the first bit is out of the way and just keep going, don't stop......and breathe.....at least you get a rest at the first gate, then onward to the top gate and a flapjack stop, cheers Charlie excellent nibbles:) we discussed pope cake ingredients (recipe on web page link to RHS). Then we blasted down to the bottom gate, all with smiles on our faces and whoop whoops by some? Now we headed left down the track towards the road, not done this descent for a while so we were racing doing well when Jamie:0 v Puncture:1, all stop quick change, on again, speed up and ooops Jamie:0 v Puncture:2, all stop quick change (still spare inner tubes), onwards and we make it to the bottom, right along the road and out past Hawkshead hill and to high cross, here we sent straight over an into Grizedale. Here we tried a new section and out onto Monk Conistion Moor, along to Lawson Park and a great descent down to the road, along the road and over the bridleway to meet up with the cycle way along side the Coniston road and back to the cars before 10pm, all good. Next ride Borrowdale off A6 north of Kendal, park near Selside.

Look what the girls found!

First gate half way up, nice views.

Charlie with a smile:)

Joel working hard.