24th July 2014 - Ravenstonedale for Paul 's route

8 yes 8 folk made it out for this sunny and hot summer evening, Charlie, George, Grant, Joel, Neil, Jamie, Paul and Chris. Basically we headed south, up and down hills, fix Pauls broken chain, good job Charlie had spare links. Get off-road for a good track,  puddles in places and a blast at the end. Then a couple of gates l later enjoy the descent through trees (which we have done on the last Sedbergh ride :) it's a great descent. Then through the old farm yard and head up the hill,  after a little discussion we headed up, nice little hill climb to get the blood pumping; ). Now enjoy a steady climb,  watch out for the odd gully,  try to keep some momentum and enjoy the rock steps. Ride through the farm then just up the big hill, some folk were going for king of the mountains only we didn't know where the Kim points line was;) good fun...Once at the top regroup and get ready for the descent, Jamie, Neil and CT decided to try a little free wheel race once the otg er rs had done ahead, so line up together,  3..2..1..GO fairly even to start, but look what's ahead the S bends, slight mis-calculation, JR got ahead, then we had to pedal up hill. We tried again at in at the top of the next hill, fun fun fun:) back on the fell, down to the lanes and back to the village. It was after 9 pa so no chips crisps and drinks instead,  putting the world to rights until the midges moved us on! 
Data: 19 km, a crisp packet of calories and 495 height.
Next ride tbc. 

There's a chain link here somewhere! 

Blue sky riding

Then it was downhill :)

Is this the route Paul? 

It's a little tricky lads;)

17th July 2014 - Staveley for Garburn

CT couldn't make it, CSC tried to get out for a ride, but someone had sabotaged her pedals, sounds a bit dastardly and muttley or it may have been Murphy's law, if it can go wrong at some point it will go wrong...the long and short of it is that it is not advisable to try and ride Garburn in Time cleats on SPD pedals :0), so Charlie had an early bath, but Jamie, George?, Grant and Neil carried on. Neil was handicapped by some FAT tyres;) but at least he was riding! Anyway they all rode over Garburn and had a great evening. Next ride is from Ravenstonedale with Paul, park/start here http://goo.gl/maps/ZDCtj

10th July 2014 - Hartsop for Ullswater shore

Three made it to Hartsop,  Grant, Jamie and CT,  it was a great summer evening even requiring some jungle spray as midge repellent. On the drive over Kirkstone and down into Hartsop we passed a little lay by which had about 8 suitcases left by the side of the road all on their own,  this appeared a little odd, but apparently there was a group of tourists around who had probably just wondered off to take photos...We had visions of a car jacking and the bodies being dumped!
We headed out and up the Boredale Hause climb/walk up to the first view point, after which we thought to head higher for a better view and so headed over the next coll. This did involve some hike-a-bike action, but worth it on this summer's evening, see photos below. After hitting the top we headed down, some technical bits to ride;) then head down to meet up with the shore route. All nice and dry plenty of grip and great for fun. Back to cars 10pm-ish, clear roads for drive home. Next ride is Gisburn Staveley.

Saturday 5th July 2014 - Tour de France in Yorkshire :)

A few of us went to Yorkshire to watch a cycle event, Le Tour de France 1st stage in Yorkshire. We met up on the Cote de Buttertbubs just outside Hawes. Others went to Reeth, Skipton and Layburn. Ian got up early and drive there, Charlie, Jamie and CT cycled over and met up half way up the hill climb, as it happened Wheelbase had bagged a patch of fellside and set up their van with awning and BBQ, the sun was trying to come out and all was in order, oh and we managed to get the satellite TV working so we had tour on TV:)
Thousands of folk were walking and cycling up the hill and getting ready for the spectacle that is the TdF. Below are a few pictures to give the flavour.
As a bonus Jens Voigt made it into the breakaway and then escaped and was first onto Buttertubs, making for a great atmosphere.
You will see from the photos that there were many fans on the hill, after the riders and vehicles had gone past, about 3pm, folk started to walk down, too many people to cycle down, so we stayed and watched the rest on the TV, we helped pack up and headed down the hill after the finish, unfortunately seeing Cavs incident:(, when we headed down no one was left on the hill, it was unreal how everyone had left, no litter, just an ice cream van, cheers;)

Spot the bike!

Skipton church dressed in Yellow

Skipton cake shop!

More cake

Base camp on Cote de Buttertubs

Spectators arriving

Some folk even dressed up, bravo!

Smile you are on camera, BBC Helo

Many bikes and peoples on the top

French Gendarmerie

Spot the view...?

Yes Yorkshire tea ;)

The wheelbase boys!

The spectators!

Jens Voigt breakaway

Spot Cav?

All over time to pack up and walk off the hill

The End - everyone has gone.

3rd July 2014 - Walna Scar ride

3 of us eventually rode out from Torver, Charlie parked at the bottom and ride up to meet CT who parked at the top (at the forest entrance off Hummer Lane), at around 6.40pm we decided to set off, start down the fire road, then through the forest bit for a great section of singletrack, a little over grown so watch out for the odd bramble! Now onto the track heading up the hill for a steady climb, we were now chasing down 2 other MTBers who had passed us earlier at the gate, we slowly reeled them in and had a chat at the first gate, they rested and we moved on over the narrow bridge, I say narrow as my handlebars would not quite fit! Ahead some of the track has been laid as a path and so this was useful to avoid the bog sections, albeit there was still bog over the flat plateau. Continue up avoiding the sheep on track and keep peddling up the hilly bits, then is eases and head towards the old shanty town, i.e. the old slate buildings, we decided to head up the old quarry and ended up contouring around the hill to meet the Walna Scar road, at this point we also met up with the other 2 riders and continued to ride up the main path, looking back another rider was coming up the hill, who could it be....? The climb is steep and basically a 1st gear climb for over 10 minutes! It's just a small mater of keeping traction and concentration, I made a dab just before the steep section and looked back to see it was Jamie climbing up behind us, so head down and keep going, up the steep climb and round the top corner and re-group at the top We had a chat with the other riders (one chap cleaned the climb) then they shot off for the descent, a quick bit of flapjack and start the downhill. Care is required enjoy the down, NOTE there is a section lower down where there seems to be a water gully and it is very deep and a steep climb out, so watch out. Now just enjoy the rest of the down. Back to Charlie's car where we were offered a lift back to our cars at the top of the hill, we declined so she could get home to her visitors, and so we climbed back up. A great ride, short but steep:) Next ride Hartsop for Ullswater shore.