16th October 2014 - Ings for a local loop

The three amigos being Grant, new Jamie & CT made it out, so hardtail 29ers rule OK! Firstly CT forgot some light cables so was short of a headlamp, if you take cables off, put them somewhere useful like kit bag, lesson learnt #1. 
We crossed over the road and rode up the tarmac warm up climb, passed by an owl, nice, then onto the bridleway. BTW Grant had a new rear brake lever so now was able to pull cool kids rear skids:) Onwards to 3 rivers then down to Kentmere, half way down CTs light flickered off during the descent, so 2nd helmet lights are really useful (if you have them)! CT rigged up a short temp cable from the back pack, but it pulled the helmet over and kinked the neck over! but enough light to get down the hill, at the bottom, Jamie had a spare lamp so CT used this for the rest of the ride, Thanks to Jamie:) lesson learnt #2. 
Now over to Long Houses, here it started to drizzle, but not heavy and it eased, but the ground conditions were now wetter. The climb was a test, as usual, always worth the challenge;), we navigated carefully (dark nights take a little adjustment) then across to Staveley Head,  it was a little marshy and a sign of the winter weather to come, turn right and head down HP, carefully. All down OK.
Now head left on the road then right and left to head up the tarmac climb and onto the last track down to the old farm ginnel. Along the first track it is double track and inviting to go faster...so Grant speeded off, followed by Jamie...CT keeping at the back...then Grant got snagged by a thick bramble and was thrown off course, Jamie braked hard to avoid hitting Grants head (cause as we know it is made of glass), but they both went down heavily, Jamie lay winded but in one piece and Grant was a bit saw having scrapped along the rocks. We paused and slowly assessed that we were all alive and generally in one piece. So dust down and eat some fudge, assess damage, loads of lost skin (don't look too hard) Grants HID light broken off mount, Jamie's helmet did it's job (a bit of a bruise the next day) new helmet time. lesson learnt #3 ride carefully folks...
Back on bikes and carefully roll down to the farmers narrow rock strewn singletrack, always a funny ride, Grant and Jamie took it very carefully...i.e. walking. Back to cars and home for a shower and to feel that tingling skin sensation! Next ride Clappersgate