17th March 2016 - Ings for Garburn

George, Grant, Phil, Joel, Charlie, Jamie and CT turned out at Ings for a clear evening ride. The Watermill had recently opened after their flood reinstatement (new paint:) and so it would be rude not to pop in after. We set off up the Dubbs road and had the following views along the way...

View from Moorhowe road looking west into the sunset

...after the photos head on up to catch the others at the first gate, then continue up onto Garburn. Steady away from the gate and concentrate at the first corner climbing section, Phil managed to keel a constant pace on his fat tyres and made it up other dabbed or walked a bit. The trail is in pretty good condition you just need your legs and lungs talking as one;)
Regroup at the top gate and head over the summit, now's the time to lower your seat post, especially if you have a cx bike! Carefully down it's always a challenge, loose boulders and rocks of every size, but fun nevertheless (if you like that sort of thing;). Down to the 'S's section, halfway pause for thought, then onward to the last section of loose boulder size peddles, ideal on fat tyres not so on thin tyres...apparently! All safely down, now round Kentmere hall and up to the top of three rivers and along the flattish section before down Grassgarth direction and back to the pub, but not before JB had a flat on a rock, then Charlie had a puncture near the end. Over 11 miles as it turns out, back 9-ish plenty of time to head into the pub to check out the decor and beer and crisps, all good!
Next ride in a weeks time will be Winster, we're all having a rest day this week;)

10th March 2016 - Blind Lane, Force Forge for Grizedale

6 turned out, George, Neil, Grant, Jamie B & M and CT, we started out and headed north on the fire roads basically keep turning left at the junctions, note there is a lot of logging going and and it IS muddy in places (fat bikes would loooove it:) but keep going up. Eventually we turned off and headed down JPs route to find the 'old men', but no luck, well it was dark! Then we cycled around for a bit near Boggle crag, up another fire road to the aerial wire ride, then back down to the visitor center via some great forest sections, beware tree roots;) No coffee stop at the cafe (closed:( but jelly babies, then off up the NF trail and test yourself on the corner test and see if you can clean it...yes its possible but not on a cx bike...yet! Carry on up the trail and more NF then fire road to the Parkamoor turn off, here we met up with the Biketreks group with Andy, we shared gate opening duties, cheers folks and then split up at the Low Parksmoor junction just after the old cottage they headed off to Lowick and we headed down to Moor Lane for the descent and it was a cracking ride. At the bottom Jamie M headed off as his head cold was developing like a freight train and Neil and Grant went with him to keep him company. George, Jamie B and CT headed to Satterthwaite for the last BW section involving a little climb, but then an ace series of BW descents right back to the car, just right. Basically about 14 miles of riding on a cool night but it felt fine and great forest riding :)
Next ride Ings

Moon lit evening light

Down by the cafe...

Still no coffee

3rd March 2016 - Staveley

So we choose a local ride to make it easier for folks.....The 2 amigos turned up, it may have been three but nowt else came out to play ;( So George and CT did a circuit of Green quarter and three rivers and we found some snow! little did we know that we really just needed to wait until morning when the snow came down anyway.
No real dramas, but we did see two dead badgers on the road side, Hall Lane, on the way out. Generally there are a few ruts and some slippy muddy stuff and it started to rain, not too heavy but you could start to feel the cold later on. We actually did over 11 miles so well chuffed :)
Next ride TBA, Grisedale, park Blind Lane car park, near Force Forge

25th February 2016 - Troutbeck

6 riders met up at Troutbeck , Jamie B, Joel, Charlie, Grant, Phil and George.  We had a little debate on route and decided to set off towards Jenkins Crag.  We headed up the road past Limefitt turning left towards the Mortal Man and then taking the short bridleway into Troutbeck village. Then heading up Robin Lane and onto Jenkins Crag.  After which we rode through Ambleside and took the bridleway on the right to Rydal Mount and then continued over the coffin road.  Grant wanted to take the first left down to White Moss. This was more technical than the usual route. On to the main road and Jamie found a new way into White Moss but involved some very uneven steps which only he and Phil were brave enough to go down. From here we went over the bridge and onto the lower part of Loughrigg terrace. Little debate on whether to go via the caves or by the lake. The lake won.  This provided a fast ride back to the Under Loughrigg road which although closed was ok for bikes.  Back to Ambleside turning left at the Waterhead Hotel and then back over Jenkin Crag with some riding most sections and others walking amazed at having rode down earlier in the evening. Then a fast trip down Robin lane taking the church bridleway back to the cars. Around 15 miles over 2000ft height gain.
Next ride Staveley (Mill Yard)