29th January 2015 - Gilpin Bridge

Charlie, Jamie B & Jamie M, Joel, Gorge and CT turned out on a chilly but dry evening just near the Gilpin Bridge Inn and headed out around Witherslack area. Usual start under White Scar to Millside then along to the old hall school, we re-grouped and JP adjusted his fork to check for play or something knocking...and we were passed by another small mtb group, then we headed down the muddy track to the lane and then back up Strickland Hill to meet the bridleway at Witherslack, the road was a tad icy, but OK to ride along. At the usual bridleway we started to climb up, as an alternative this is not too bad, it gets steep near the top and there was a fallen tree to get over (now slightly modified to allow you to get over;). Now out of the top gate turn left and detour round the hill, back onto the track we usually take and back into the woods, Thanks here to Jamie for producing flapjack type bars at this rest point, we really should make more effort:) then continue along the track teeing off left and a short climb to some single-track which is sweet, just take care of your surroundings, then enjoy the descent through the trees for a real tester, now back to the road and back via the lanes, although at this point CT free-hub decided it was really too cold and so a steady ride on the road was called for and some nursing free-hub techniques, i.e. be very careful to keep drive pressure! All OK and back to the cars around 9pm, here the Jamie's had to cycle home and we also drove off to wash bikes and eat food. Next ride Haverthwaite, park on old road just past Anglers Arms.

RIP Simon Lewis who sadly passed away this week, who used to ride his Pro-flex with Rads a few years ago, he leaves his wife and two teenage children.

22nd January 2015 - Ings for Kentmere

Charlie, Neil, Grant, George, Jamie, Joel, Andrew and CT made it out, someone forgot their backpack and bike lights! but were saved by Neils new back up light so onward and upward! A little cold to start but the uphill warm up helped;) head up the lane north and onto the 3 rivers route, Andrew was keen to get back into MTBing after some summer road training! So a nice local ride to start, up three rivers and down into Kentmere, then over to Green Quarter, now there had been snow on the tops and it was ace riding conditions, just firm enough:) Charlie and Grant split off early, Andrew did HP and took the lanes back home and the rest continued after back up Brow foot and down past the farmers lane and end at the pub for a quick drink by the fire. Note:HP area has been felled so many trees are down, the bridleway is still there, but it looks different. Next ride from the lay-by near Gilpin Bridge

Local view of Grasmere, before night fell

Re-group time, snow line just starting

Enough hi-viz green;)

What ... a snow angel?

Great snow! nearly at the top

8th January 2015 - Ings for Garburn

3 made it out for the first official ride of the new year, Jamie B, Jamie M and CT. It was a tad cold but not wet :) It was the usual warm up heading up Dubbs lane and onto Garburn, first time for Jamie M, so a bit of a baptism being a cold winters night, at least in winter you can't see what's coming. Nice steady climb up, layers off as you warm up and layer back on at the top! then steady downhill, the rocks and loose sections seem to have moved, so worth taking it easy, no real dramas and no punctures. Down to Kentmere and back up and over one river, 2 extra rivers may have been too much and it had started to drizzle, back to the cars, a drink was a possibility, but the farmers were in the pub and took all space, so get home to warm up and we'll do the pub another time. Next ride from Troutbeck, park at the bottom lay-by. Updated to Ings