17th December 2015 - Ings

Short blog as short ride with low numbers.

Jamie B rode out from Kendal and met up with George at Ings they waited until 6.45pm to see if anyone else was going to turn up  and then set off in the light rain. We decided that as there was only 2 of us a short ride might be better. We crossed the main road and set of to complete the 3 rivers ride. After the 3rd river Jamie was looking for an alternative route so we tried a different track up the fell but could not find a way through and returned to the normal track which was somewhat washed out Jamie had two attempts at the large drop off and I cheated by taking the left hand track.  We arrived back at the cars at around 8pm after just short ride of 7 miles and 870ft of climbing.  Best wishes to everyone for xmas and 2016.

Next ride list TBC

No photos but keep an eye out for Santa on Christmas eve, but only if you have been good ;)

10th December 2015 - Milnthorpe to Farleton Knott

A few brave souls met up in Milnthorpe, Jamie and Jo M, Joel, Jamie B and CT and headed over to Farleton. It was trying to rain but some stars were out too, through the lanes to Holme Park farm and up the bridleway onto the fell, round and round until the hail fell! then we decided that's enough route finding and headed back. Wet and cold a taste on winter to come, back to the cars all safe, 5 minutes later while sorting the bike at home an almighty hail shower hit and apparently there was lightening as well, so good timing to get home when we did.
Next ride as scheduled is Ings

Can you guess where this is....clue there was once a bridge here, now looks like the bridleway is broken ;(

Sunday ride: A few of us went out on Sunday for a ride round Kentmere to see how much snow there had been and also check out any water damage.

Fat bike at home :)

General view, can you see the brook

Phil...a happy man, some real snow!

Up hill as well, who can you spot in the background?

White every where and a hint of blue sky:)

Phil and Matt above the snow line

3rd December 2015 - High Cross, Hawkshead hill for a wee trip into Grizedale

Now it had been a tad wet recently and the rain was still pouring down, but a few brave souls met up for some fresh air! Charlie, Joel, George and CT, JP had some new cut off goretex long shorts so he was ready, George and CT had long trousers, Charlie had gaiters, over shorts but summer shoes! So off into the forest, turn left and head onto the NF trails, we followed these for a while, Moor Top and down the NF, then along the fire road to find the rocky climb up. When we did find it, it was a river but actually quite rideable, even through the large puddles near the top (see video here) then we continued around the NF and back to the cars, a couple of hours damp riding ;) now the rain was easing the drive home was not too bad.

A few photos from the recent wet weather rides, AKA Global Wet Saturday :)

Next ride is planned to be Farleton from Milnthorpe, but we will review the weather.

Up the wet river route

Another can you guess who this is yet....

Joel in the Global Fat bike ride, half way up Garburn (5-12-15)

More fat bike in river action.....;)

Ings a little damp

Charlie all kitted out at Kirkby Lonsdale (if a little shaky)

Devils Bridge

The recent rainfall seems to be more than 2009 and a few rivers have burst their banks, so stay safe out there.

Perhaps over 200mm of rainfall at the weekend.

26th November 2015 - Ings

Joel, Charlie, Jamie M & B, George, CT turned out at Ings, Grant and Phil finally made it but with a puncture, so they had to stay behind and fix it first.  So the first 6 headed out in light drizzle and went up the road and onto Dubbs, where the other two eventually caught up at the gate, then onward up to Garburn and down the track to LimeFitt and onto Troutbeck, through the village and back down past the church and now at the bottom of Garburn for the testing climb, a great test for fat tyres;) up to the first junction and right back to the Ings road, then along to High Borrans for a muddy section, again fat tyres united! Now back to Ings for a meal at the Watermill. 
The pub was fairly quiet, so easy table for 8 for a pre-Christmas meal stop, or Grants farewell meal of 2015, if you look at it like that;)
Next ride High Cross, top of Hawkshead Hill for Grizedale

Grant doesn't do social media, but if he did....

19th November 2015 - Troutbeck

7 turned out in showers for the Wain and Mirk lane classic shortie climb test, George, Grant, Joel, Neil, Charlie, Jamie and CT...and someone had some new wheels to play with, actually it was not the first ride, they were christened on Sunday with the floods round Elterwater! So off up past Lime Fitt and down the last bit of Dubbs, across the road and down over the river and climb past JB MiLs then up to Robin lane and up to the seat for the view (sorry no photos forgot the camera) and THANKS to Jamie again for FlapJack, we must try harder! Down the rocky track and which way tonight? so down Wain with lots of leaves and mud and rocks so sketchy riding, turn right at the road and then up Mirk, this was a good test and 3.8" tyres are just the JOB:) for the first section, the climb after the gate was harder and a little lung buster! back along the lane, left and up the climb back to the seat view point, right and back home. Nice little ride out.
Next ride Ings 6pm-ish and meal in pub after.

Friday 20th was Bike Night at Kendal Mountain Festival (KMF) It was fun especially with Ed hosting, Martyn Ashton was an inspiration,
see Martyn back on track
and Road bike party 2 
and even Guy Martin managed to make a late entrance:) maybe he'll be on time next year!

Martyn Ashton

KMF:)

Can you spot anyone you know...?

5th November 2015 - Guy Fawkes night night from Clapersgate

Joel, Charlie, George, Grant and Phil turned up at Brathay bridge (near Clappersgate) for ride around Claife.  The five set off up the new miles without stiles track to Wray Castle and then along the road to join the fire road to base camp. From here we proceeded to the guide posts and then over the hill and down to Sawrey which was a bit slippy in places.  Past the pub turning left to slog up the bridleway.  The ride down to the lake was superb.  We then continued along the lakeside and turned left just before meeting the road to Wray Castle.  A little bit of pushing to get back up to the fire road more for some than others.  Phil suffered a pinch puncture on his fat bike due to some sharp newly installed water channels. Back on the fire road we turned right and left to take us back to guide post and then down the great descent towards Hawkshead.  We had originally thought of going back via snakebite ally but due to Phil's puncture and the rain we headed back to the cars at around 10pm, 17 miles and 2225 ft ascent. Whilst loading my bike in the car I looked around and there was Phil as promised  just in his speedos in the pouring rain!No photos this week, but we guess there were some fireworks;) Ed.Next ride TBC, actually we will have an official rest week...next ride is Thursday 19th November from Troutbeck (near the church off lower road).

29th October 2015 - Staveley for a local ride out

More news about a fat bike test when updates arrive...I believe JP, Jamie, Charlie, Grant went for a ride...
In the meantime the next ride is from Bathray Bridge, near Clappersgate (B5286) for Claiffe and a Guy Fawkes night ride.

22nd October 2015 - Fallen leaves ride round Loughrigg

8 made it out after parking at Pelter Bridge car park (free from 5pm!) Jamie M, George, Grant, Neil, Charlie, Joel, CT all left together and JB caught us up a little later along the coffin route. Nice 'n steady along to the road virtually all rideable ;), then cross over and work your way up to top of red bank via the trails, slight detour onto the common and re-group down near Elterwater.
Then along the river to Selwith and up to Loughrigg tarn, back to top of red bank and along the terrace, pause for JBs new flapjack, Great work as always, (memo to self: must try harder;) past the caves for some play time and down the rocky descent, where 'Fallen' turned into a new meaning as CT took a tumble on the rocks, get back up, dust off and try again, nothing broken just the usual scrapes and bruises. Back along the track and we managed 10 miles, just;)
Next ride Barley Bridge, Staveley

"Resting"

Elterwater discussion and headset stop

River view in moonlight 

That great metal bridge with trail lights:)

The play area

A "jump"

15th October 2015 - Satterthwaite for a ride round Grizedale

Quite a few turned up, Jamie and Jo M, Grant, George, Neil, Jamie, Phil and CT and we managed to park at the bottom of Moor Lane. We faffed about until it was getting dark ;) then off up the road to take the Bogle Crag route into the forest. It was a nice night just the right temperature, albeit we may have got a bit lost and the group split up for a little while and then re-grouped at the top of the Silurian Way. 
We then went past the Fox and down to the NF at Moor top and rode down the trail to the fire road, but not before George had a puncture, so a few minutes to fix that and only George had been thinking in the car about not having a flat for a while, Doh! then round the bonus loop and then rode the steep pitch to the next fire road, then down and looking for a route up, we found the old enduro trail a pushed up after the start technical step up, clean-able if you roll with some momentum;) Push up the steep bits, not sure I would like to ride down, but never say never!
Then we chatted at the seat before heading off up the trails and fire-road, past the black and along to find the top of Moor Lane, one wrong turn in the dark and we headed down and back to the cars, 9.30ish.
Next ride Pelter Bridge (probably)

Grizedale at night (15 sec exposure) 

Another timed exposure 

Grizedale arts building on the east side

Lights and bikes passing the trees

8th October 2015 - Staveley and beyond

I hope some folk went out and enjoyed the fair weather we are having for October, ride details may follow....
Next ride is from Satterthwaite into Grizedale

1st October 2015 - Haverthwaite to Simpson Ground

7 came out on another fine evening, Neil, Jamie B & M, Joel, Andrew, George and CT, it had been dry and we hoped the top fell would not be too boggy...and we were right. The Brow edge backbarrow bridleway was ridable all the way and the descent had been worked on:). Then we crossed over the A590 and went up the hill for a ride round Simpson Ground, again nice and dry and a great sun set. Down to Newby Bridge and back via the lanes and into the pub for a drink and some music, first Thursday in each month apparently.
Next ride from Barley bridge, Staveley.

Just working out where we were going....

Nice evening

We got this far, about half way up the hill

24th September 2015 - Clappersgate for Rydal and Loughrigg

It was a tad windy but George, Grant, Phil and CT met up and it mostly did not rain :) Before Grant and Phil arrived we decided to do the coffin route, we the others had done Claiffe last time, so when Phil turned up for an easy ride, we told him the good news! 6.45pm and a little drizzle to start, but the wind had eased off, head along the road to under Loughrigg and out to Rydal Hall and up that hill (Note: the last bit is bloomin' steep!) then along the coffin route towards Grasmere enjoying the testing rocks and tree roots along the way, Phil walked a few bits to rest his shoulder. Off the coffin trail over the road through the trees, down the steep steps, over the bridge, across the beach and up the hill, pause for a rest. Head down the terrace and right to the caves, down the rocky slabs, which are great! and back along the under Loughrigg road to start the concrete road UP and UP and over Loughrigg, watch the route down if going fast! it's loose. Round the tarn past the YHA down to Elterwater and back along the river path, a nice ending, except that this way is mostly flat but are some hills and we had not stopped for flapjack and so were running on empty, back at cars for 9.30pm time to eat that half sandwich from earlier:) 15.6 miles says George so must be true, a good ride out.
Next ride Haverthwaite

It's dark so must be a night ride!

Phil on his 'Fatt'

Where is JB when you need him....!

Art shot in the dark

Chillin' on the beach ;)

His last words were "Don't use flash on the technical section"....Doh !

Love this gate handle operation :) 

This way

17th September 2015 - Far Sawrey for Grizedale and Breasty

Grant, JP, George, and Jamie turned out for a ride from the Cuckoo Brow (formerly the Sawrey Hotel), the ride was yet to be decided despite the earlier email discussions. Grant had relinquished responsibility and had given ride ownership to JP. George had also submitted an alternative but once Jamie arrived it was all go for the Sawrey - Grizedale combo. We began by following the lane at the back of the pub but once at the top realised that we had taken the wrong track! Back down and then following the lane past the vicarage, up to Moss Eccles and Wise Een Tarn, through the forest, then left and up over Guide Posts. Down the long descent to Colthouse, through Hawkshead and up to Walker Ground. Into Grizedale, two sections of the North Face before arriving at the visitor centre. I did suggest from here we could climb up into the forest and then do the down from Parkermoor but I was told to keep quiet, and I'm pleased I did! We took the road to Satterthwaite and then climbed up to Breasty Haw. Jamie managed to climb the technical rock in the woods and then decided to do it again while the rest of us pushed on. We all managed to ride the rest of the down to the road, JP sustained a minor graze, this time not from crashing but after getting caught in brambles and then falling over. Regrouping at the road it was the next right turn, over the ford and over the field and into Slack Wood for the final climb and descent which has grassed over a little so the route was a little sketchy. Left at the road, although Jamie thought there was another route we could do that took us to Cunsey, feeling a little tired we took the road but took a detour through the woods along the shore. We took the road back through Near Sawrey to the cars. In total approximately 14 miles, and no rain until we got back to the car.

Next week: Clappersgate, park near Brathay bridge

Jamie checks the weather forecast, or Strava or something

10th September 2015 Crosthwaite for Winster and Crook

6 actually met up at the alternative rendezvous pint somewhere between Crossthwaite and the Damson Dene, Neil, Grant, Jamie, Joel, JB and CT, apparently someone had had an idea AND done some research on the route, so here goes...
Crosthwaite - Winster - Crook  Link to route  on Strava 
Broadly we headed north and downhill to just before Strawberry Bank, then climb, then down again, then turn off right down someones drive and left past the buildings and onto the field track, easy enough you would think, but just through a gateway and both Jamies decided to take a spill at the same time, JB went over in the mud and JM hit a rock twisted the handlebars and got a flat tyre to boot, so we paused while we fixed this. Then onwards over the fields and out on a lane then back into a wood for a decent testing climb up onto the road above the ford. Up the road and usual route round Winster and head towards Crook, but turn back before you get too far:) On the way back JB had a mechanical the rear mech decidd to push into the spokes and the chain split and got entangled in a spoke, this took a bit of sorting out, but gave us chance to do the taste test between Aldi and Spar jelly babies...then we were back mobile and onward for the return journey...at some point we were also buzzed by some vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) aircraft. 
See Neil's link if you want more in-depth route info, but we made it back after about 14 miles. See some pics from Neil's gallery;)

Just riding along....

Next ride Claiffe, park in village hall car park (for a donation) opposite Cuckoo Brow Inn.

3rd September 2015 - Ings for Garburn

It's nearly the end of the school summer holidays, but looks like everyone is going or already away...so that left 3, Grant, Joel and CT, the 3 hardtailers to make hay, Grant fancied a anti-clockwise loop, so off we went up the tarmac climb to 3 rivers and up and over into Kentmere. Down past Kentmere Hall and it looks empty, no farm animals in the buildings, just sheep in the fields. Head up past the village hall to start Garburn and we spy the WI having an event in the hall, thoughts turned to tea and cake, but no we must concentrate, the climbing is about to start!
Start the climb, first section OK, through gate and first challenge that rock garden, bloomin' hard as it happens, but don't waste energy we have more climbing to go at. After second gate work up the softer gravel, too much again we all pause at the same point, then off, we all do well and nearly make it to the narrow gap, but not quite the legs today, the conditions were great, dry and grippy. Onward and keep trying sections and walking others, while the sun was going down, we worked our way up, good effort at the 'S' bends and eventually get to the top, here there were 3 guys coming the other way, just getting their lights on for the descent. Now we were heading down on the Troutbeck side, fairly fast just watch those gullies, lights were on for this section and on-wards for Dubbs lane another fast descent. Back to the cars via the lanes, a quick beer for some and home.
Next ride Near Crosthwaite, parking in lay-by at corner A5074, junction Crosthwaite and Winster road OR there is a lay-by before Damson Dene hotel.

On the way to 3 rivers, nice evening light

The sky at night:)

Spot the rider?

27th August 2015 - Lowick for Grizedale

Charlie, Amanda, Neil, Andrew, Grant, Joel and CT met up at Lowick, we headed over to Grizedale, via a tarmac warm up climb! easy does it spin up the hill and onto to the off road descent to Ickenthwaite, fairly fast not so technical now its been worked on. Re-group and head down the lanes to Satterthwaite, take the cut through for a little test, that corner is still tricky (i.e. we dab'd;), up the lane and turn left onto Moor Lane for a little climb up and up and up, why....'cause the fire road would have been boring! Here we came across the BikeTreks ride going down, some say that's the way to go, but.... we carried on and up and over the 'step' test, which is a great confidence booster when you get it right:) and on-wards to Parkamoor. Test the puddle depth and cross over to the descent down to Nibthwaite, this was great, getting dark near the bottom but always a great downhill.

Next ride Ings (pub after) for Garburn

The view over Coniston

and looking the other way 

Blur

Neil

Amanda

JP (somewhere near Ambleside...:)

Charlie, too fast for the camera!

Can you guess where it is yet