28th August 2014 - Troutbeck - up Garburn

Grant, George, Neil, Jamie and CT turned out for a dry evening ride, following heavy showers during the day. There are a couple of ways to go, but we thought (some of us, OK me;) thought we should try Garburn and see what the evening views were like. This also gave anyone the chance to clear the climb if anyone has not already done it, so perhaps Neil on his 'spare' bike might make it up in one? Nice steady climb to start with via Lime Fitt park, just a matter of getting the gates to keep those wheels turning without stopping:) 

Big tyres good:)

Staying together...

Nearly there...

Top view point

We took a little detour for a better view, although it was a tad windy higher up, a quick flapjack and time to descend back down, no one mention punctures and we should be OK.....ooops too much enjoyment, puncture number 1 for CT, tubeless value out spare inner tube in, pump up and back on bike for downhill, guess what happened next, George rear puncture, old tube out new one in, pump up and away, now it was getting darker, but still time to enjoy the downhill. Although the low light may have effected our eyesight, as we thought we saw a spiky thing in the middle of the track as we shot down, was it animal, vegetable or mineral? some say it looked like a small sheep (from a distance maybe), others a clump of tall grass, but most thought a porcupine, so we'll go with that!
Now we headed left for the Dubbs track, more fast fun but with lights one, we nearly made the reservoir, but Jamie's tyre blew out with bang as the side wall split, puncture number 3, tubeless value out, inner tube in add an old toothpaste tube to reinforce the side-wall and pump up, watching with a smile as the old latex fluid was forced out by the new inner tube. Onward once again, with caution we made it to the road, here Jamie headed home and we turned off for the last section down Garburn, quite technical at the bottom and Grant did an endo at the big water bar but he was OK. All back to the cars. Next ride Satterthwaite.

21st August 2014 - Rydal Loughrigg Terrace and beyond

3 of us met up at Pelter Bridge, George, Jamie and CT, whilst we got ready there was a group of youngsters out with Ambleside running club, doing a quick 45 minute session, including warm down stretches! We set off in the light drizzle, but it soon fared up and the Goretex was put back in the bags. see phone pics and there were 2 folk swimming in Grasmere, so it can't be that bad, although they were in full steamer wetsuits! So our route started in reverse i.e we climbed past Rydal water to go and see the new path around the rocks, very nice, then off up the climb to Red Bank and it's not too bad, a few technical steps, then first photos at the top.

A lovely evening :)

Nearly at Red Bank

Onward past the youth hostel and down to Elterwater, more pics;

Now we set off up past the quarry and the technical climb up them woods, George seemed to do best (after I gave my little encouraging pep talk...you CAN do it! ;) Across to the ford, over bridge, then Hodge Close via the playground, then over to Arnside after helping a sheep down the lane! cross the main road and up to Arnside going past 2x Kankku 4x4s, then a little later as we were doing our "2 wheels good" climbing over rock garden, an orange 4x4 came past, nice and slow, one driver, no drama. Now climb up and over Iron Keld descent, which was great just as the daylight was going. Down to the road, lights on, down to Skelwith bridge and up past Loughrigg Tarn (via a 25% climb!!!) then down the Loughrigg descent and back to the cars. A great ride.

A Blue sky ride!

Losing daylight, bring lights

Next ride Troutbeck

14th July 2014 - Holiday week!

Well it seemed almost everyone was on holiday, but George made it out...well on Friday morning when the weather had improved, so well done George:)
Next ride is from Pelter Bridge car park, near Rydal.

7th August 2014 - Clapham for some of the Pennine Way

4 of us met up in Clapham, Charlie, grant, George and CT, plenty of road side parking available. Head north out of village, past a children's play area, then take a right turn up a hill, you will know it's the right way when you have to go under 2 large bridges, the second one makes it quite dark, then you find there are some large gullies to navigate over and it seems 26" wheels are worse off, especially when going up hill. George came a cropper, fell off and broke his rear light:( All OK so keep going up and up, steady away, through some woods and into open fields, this is now the Pennine bridleway, PBW, keep straight on, but you past the bridleway on your left where we shall return to later on homeward leg.

We will ride round this

The first section of PBW

Onward and keep going until you get to the road, this can be very fast, just watch out for other bike riders and a horse rider, very nearly spooked! Keep on the road go past Wharfe, then look for a right turn bridleway heading for Feizor, watch out for the Bull in field with the cows :0), Fiezer is a nice little place, go through past the closes tea room, then tee of right at a farm and get onto some singlet track which has some speed/drainage bumps which are great to jump if you get your timing right! Keep going and head back to Wharfe.

Navigation required

Which way?

Shall we walk over...?

No says George and rides over the stone bridge

It looked like this....and was OK

Now through Wharfe, where there were some great cottages, one looking French (with 2 bicyles propped up outside, sorry no pics), and off onto the Dales High Way to climb up onto Long Scar, up top to enjoy the setting sun, it was a great weather window and flapjack was enjoyed by the cairn. Now for the descent down to Trow Gill and beyond, heading back along Clpham Beck, some parts were rocky and technical others fast, the final bit was very fast just before a bend and a steep climb! Then back on the homeward leg back under the tunnels, watch out George:) and back to the cars before 9pm, over 12 miles and a very nice ride.

Is that a sunset, nearly

and a moon as well, just

Yes a sunset:)

Next ride TBA as a few of us are away, more news by emails. Thursday 21st from Pelter Bridge, Rydal

31st July 2014 - Sawrey for Claife

Charlie, Grant, George, Jamie, Jamie and CT met up in Far Sawrey,  yes it was 6, there were 2 x Jamie's; a colleague from work had a new set of wheels and was coincidently planning a ride in Claife,  so we met up in Sawrey for a group ride,  as it happens Jamie already knew Charlie,  small world. So onward and upwards....yes the usual start up the track next to the phone box,  nice and easy, keep climbing,  through the gates and enjoy the descent,  but no a rear tyre issue slowed down the plan,  so fix inner tube and onward,  good job have spare tubes in bag!  Down to the lake shore turn left and along the track towards base camp,  tee off left and up into the plantation, it was nice and dry so climbing was good. Now up through the testing climb section,  left or right for the best line Charlie and Grant could not decide; ), it's a bit of a walk but gets us to the guide posts then down to Colthouse,  right along the lanes and back to base camp,  now up the testing climb especially for Grant,  who cleaned it. Back up the track, you just have to watch out for rock edges catching rear tyres, puncture no. 2, easy fix thanks to Jamie for the spare tube. Now take the left track as it is a little more rideable,  very dry so CT cleaned it! Regroup at the top,  pass two other mtbers, flapjack stop at the top all good.  Now just ride over the top and enjoy the descent,  just watch out for the rock launch step on the rhs; ) down to the road and back to the . A few of us nipped into the pub to test the chips:) Next ride from Clapham, off A65 Charlie to guide:) .
No pics this week but over 10 miles ride and over 1600 ft climbed.