28th May 2015 - Clappersgate for Claiffe

The forecast was showery but there was hope for a glimpse of sunshine and in the end 3 turned out, Jamie M, Andrew and CT, some rain jackets were donned others were hopeful. We headed south on the cycle path along the B5286 avoiding the cars, just watch out for the trees;) you end up doing a little section on the tarmac nut do actually avoid most of the road. At pulls woods you can tee off left and avoid more road and a nice section through the trees. You come out west of Low Wray and can get a view of Wray Castle, now cross the road to the next track and avoid a bit more road, unfortunately you do end up on the road, but it is really a lane and quiet enough. We headed up to base camp and took the bridleway 'tester' up into the woods and eventually onto the fire road, left here and up the left track, the rock slab was dry and so doable :) then past the fire road where the trees have gone (wood disease management?) and up the climb (see photo) it's trickier than it looks with loose rock marbles. Then onto the tarns and descend to Sawrey past the pub and climb up for the downhill to the shore line. Which way back along the shore or.... what about Belle Grange.... OK let's see what it's like, well cobbles up a slope is what it's like, OK in the dry but not in the wet and about half was wet! But it is an OK route up into the forest as many sections are worth a bash at. Then we came to the junction and took the right hand climb up to the guide posts, up and over then down to the lane and this time we went left for snake bit alley and back through the trees, here we saw a deer :) All back to the cars just under 3 hours total and about 16+ miles a really good ride out and we did not need a rain coat! 
Next ride from Milnthorpe

Recognise it without trees...?

At least there is a view now!

Interesting light, not yet rain clouds;)

Down at the shore Blue Sky over Windermere

and a rainbow

Andrew cycling up the cobbles

Jamie happy at last