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?