7th December 2017 - Troutbeck ride

I think it was Jamie and George who made it out, lap of Limefitt caravan park, Troutbeck, Robin lane round and an extra leg up Kirkstone...then the tracker ran out of juice;).
JP was waiting for the real snow to arrive and it did but mostly in Wales! other places had ice apparently.
Next ride 4th Jan 2018 Gilpin

East of the county looking west

Not in Cumbria

30th November 2017 - Three rivers and a cold wind

3 of us ventured out, Joel, Jamie and CT, probably on the cusp and just above freezing (but still some ice around), but much wind chill with the wind, so perhaps keep off the tops. JP even had two layers on, I had 4 and a spare! So to keep it simple we headed up the road and left at the bridge to basically head up three rivers, relatively straight forward except for the wind, actually strong enough even at this low-ish level to make you deviate from your line choice, no chance of cleaning the first climb, but we did see some other lights across the valley, looked like MTBers. We sheltered behind any walls we found along the route, up and over to descend to Kentmere, fairly technical due to areas of ice. Building work progressing at Kentmere Hall, will be interesting to see it develop. Next down the road  and pass three other bikers, guess who...yes Heather and her crew; we were heading back via Long Houses but JP decided to head back along the road, so just two of us off-road. A bit of ice along the track, but we actually cleaned the climbing section to the second gate! Now blame the ice for the next section, head back via HP non-plantation;) due to vehicle access and general erosion this has changed and is more technical, so watch out and back along the road, watch out for ice. Head home to warm up, not too bad out of the wind.
Next ride Troutbeck
A few pics from a ride in Yorkshire last week, also cold and icy

2nd & 9th November 2017 - update...

Well I missed a few rides and so it seemed did a few others, holidays, too cold, too wet, moving house, working! anyhow some folk kept riding, training and experimenting (according to their media feeds;) so we shall all be back soon...maybe...it's bloomin' cold...Life is about riding bikes, sometimes it's an effort, even a struggle, but we know that it's best to get out and ride, once warmed up it feels great and we must stave off the virtual world or we'll end up like Wall-e (OK not wall-e but the folk on the transported world!). That said I am sitting here typing on my lazy @ss instead of being out in the sun...and going to KMF later for more sitting on #ss listening to others....oh no it's started, maybe get up early tomorrow and aim to battle the frost and meet Neil while he rides round the Cumbria Cracker...just maybe...
So Thursday, let's see, somewhere local, Staveley 

Photos from Sundays windy road ride, Guess where?

???

26th October 2017 - Elterwater

4 met up at Elterwater, Jamie M, George, Andrew and CT. Usual start through the quarries, really need a warn up first;) across Sawreys wood to Dale End, over the ford, right along the bottom track and up past Low-High Hallgarth, nice technical climb, which leads onto another nice technical climb;) keep going up and over, down to Tilberthwaite, left to the playground, right to the slate climb (to sounds of broken crockery subdued to to running water). Over to High Oxenfell, down to the road and over to the Iron Keld route, steady away, down to the road some mud in places;) and back via the riverside route, nice 11.3 miler and ended at the pub, where the owls were out making a screech just in time for Halloween:)
Next ride TBC

12th October 2017 - Gilpin for Yewbarrow

George, Jamie and CT met up near the Gilpin, 2 of us rode out, but in fairness George had an excuse to drive he had brought cake, it was birthday cake, no pics but it was in the shape of a castle (fairly type not Lowther;) and made of chocolate sandwich, rice crispy turrets and a shed load of icing! Thing was that George did not want to carry it round the ride, so we had a reward at the end. Usual start but up the rock slab first, then Mill side and Beck head and over the track across the field, it's called Hell Moss and you know what it was all under 300mm of water, so feet got wet, but it was warm. Then a lap or two of Yewbarrow before the wooded section, now muddy 'cause some logging going on, then the steep bit, George will make it one day he said, just not yet;) Down Nicholas moss, again some more mud! then back via the slab, starting to rain a bit at the end. 10 odd miles and cake at the end, the road crew were doing tarmac repairs so road closed, slight detour to get home.
Next ride Elterwater (26.10.17)

Hell Moss (taken from Ray Morris's ride earlier that day)

5th October 2017 - Troutbeck

Not many this week just Jamie and Charlie, met up at Troutbeck and headed north, round the tongue back down Longmire lane left onto Dubbs, left down Garburn, up to Troutbeck a quick round Robin lane and back. No drama except perhaps a trapped nerve?
Next ride is Gilpin

Route looked something like this ;)

28th September 2017 - Satterthwaite

It was a lovely still evening, not a breath of wind, well maybe a hint of. It was a popular spot with other bikers meeting up, Jamie M and CT managed to park at the spot, George and JB had to park down the road, but we actually rolled out with the other three bikers but quickly overtook them and headed to Bogle, up the fire road and keep right to the view point, see first pic, Oh and you might see a colour theme occurring of matching bikes and clothing!
Where did we go...down and round, usually head down to the VC, but no decided on The Fox descent and down, then Esthwater, near Sawrey and into Claiffe, up the hill, guide posts and down to Colthouse, back into Hawkshead, up the climb onto NF and around to head back to Satterthwaite via Moor Lane. On the way we saw bats, apparently one nearly landed on CTs handlebars, then an owl later on and a frog crossing in the puddles, yes there were some puddles and it was wet under wheels.A few stars were out to keep the half moon company, no flapjack but there were some jelly babies, but wait not in Georges pack, no in the car so we had to wait until 9.30 for these, but the salted almonds were spot on:) 18 off miles in total, felt about right. 
Next ride Troutbeck

What's a gaggle of MTBers called...

Colourful :)

Yes it's yellow, actually Mint Clean

21st September 2017 - Gilpin Bridge

After some discussion via the App for a ride location with just a few hours to go (lastminutedotcom;) it was finally decided on Gilpin Bridge via a vote! but last minute comms can go a rye, apologies to Jamie Mc. So a few folk did meet up and go for a ride, some issues with tyres apparently;) just waiting for the 'on the spot reporter' to file the news storey to the editor...
Next ride looks like Satterthwaite, no really:)

14th September 2017 - Brathay Bridge

Just 2 riders turned up at Brathay Bridge Charlie and George. We set off up the new cycle track to Wray Castle and then took the fire road towards  base camp and continuing up to the guide posts. Here a discussion on whether to Include the loop down towards the lake. We decided to head down past the tarns. At the top of the hill Charlie took the fire road while George had a shot at the forest track and almost made it to the top. 

A swift ride down past the tarns with George getting his feet wet in the river just before Sawrey. We then turned left past the pub over the hill and down to the lake then up the hill by the belle grange to the guide posts (mainly pushing of course on the first section). Then over to Hawkshead via the superb descent and back on the cycle track to the cars.  Just less than 2.5 hours and almost 16 miles.

Next ride Satterthwaite Gilpin Bridge

7th September 2017 - Ings

It was wet but three hardy souls turned out, Jamie Mac', George and CT, we selected Goretex and went for it, apparently the other were washing their hair! So spin up the tarmac lane and up 3 rivers, yes it was wet but we rode the first river OK, the second one we used the stepping stones and the last was ridden through, see pics, down the rocky descent, watch out for off camber rocks (ask Jamie), then down along the river, again tricky, and up the steep tarmac lane and back to the pub. Standing room only for the first beer, but nice to take it easy into winter season!

next ride TBC

31st August 2017 - Ribblehead

Yes two folk turned out, Charlie and George for a nice evening ride along gate alley, Charlie apparently has some pics to prove it!

It looks lovely:)
Next ride is Ings

23rd August 2017 - Lowick for Grizedale

Charlie, Andrew, Jamie B and CT met up near the Red Lion in Lowick. JB has his spare bike but with curvy handlebars transplanted, Andrew had a new freehub body but in steel (heavy!), CT has gone all modern 20th century...yes 10 speed!!! and Charlie had washed her bike;) so off we went towards Nibthwaite, but which way, yes the normal steep hill to start the warm up route, the hill is on 'Bletherbarrow Lane' a great name but still steep. Then over to Ickenthwaite and round to Satterthwaite, on to Bogle Crag and up into the forest the scenic way, there was hardy a breath of wind it was very still and quiet. We went anti-clockwise around 'New South Wales plantation', back to the Fox and down to the visitor centre, then NF up and around to Parkamoor, dusky view of Coniston and down the descent, hear it was heard JB mention to Andrew that the tricky technical descent was starting, so Andrew paid attention and dropped his seatpost way down and then followed JB down, but taking a different line to Jamie;) It's a sweet descent, a few rocks have changed due to the 4x4 traffic and there were some deep puddles to soak us with, then down past Ian's and road ride back. Just about 20 miles.
Next ride to be Ribblehead (see WhatsApp for updates)

New! 

You can see the sea from here, yes really

resting after climb

nothing to see here;)

10th August 2017 - Keswick for Borrowdale Bash (ride of attrition)

A few turned out for the evening ride, Charlie, Andrew, Jamie M and B, Joel and CT, apparently Neil had been out and done the ride but got caught up in the Ambleside traffic (broken down lorry/coach and rush hour/tourists not helping!) I suggested he could turn round and ride with us, but a cuppa tea was calling. So just the 6 of us, 6.45pm we eased out of town and headed up and over Rakefoot, the usual RADs warm up being straight up! Then head to Ashness bridge, here some trail maintenance to Charlies brakes, don't forget the split-pin:) and hurry up the midges were biting then ease along to Watendlath for the next challenge, being both the climb and descent, although the descent is very nice, just watch for the one drain ditch which seems a bit too large, note the lower section is being worked out, so care required. JP and Charlie had opted to head down slowly and meet us at Grange. So 4 of us descended to the bridge at Rosthwaite, but JB had some trouble with his frame...it had broken and I mean clean through, so he had to head home. So 3 of us for the castle crag section, a bit of a climb at Seatoller, then along to castle crag for the descent, it was getting dark now so lights on and seats down, a bit technical but more uncomfortable than tricky, a full sus' would have been good! Down into Grange and meet up with the others, so now 5 of us, we opted to miss the first climb section along catbells and pick up the second one, still a stiff climb but very nice downhill, then back via the lanes to Keswick, back for 10.45pm, 18.5 odd miles about 5-6 mph! basically climbing going up and tricky coming down, so slow but a good ride in any case, unless you broke your bike!
Next ride Lowick, park near Red Lion

First real hill, bit of a lung buster! 

Nice views over Keswick

Landscape

Portrait, Jamie Mac'

Spot the rider(s)

Andrew riding

JP fatty!

Nice evening

Clouds around

Ashness bridge, with midges!!!

Surprise view

Watendlath tarn

Re-group before the downhill for Charlie cake testing;)

After the downhill......Not so good:(

27th July 2017 - Clappersgate

Jamie B, Grant and Jamie M met up for a ride round Outgate and surrounding areas. Don't know the exact route but only that some brake maintenance was undertaken and also testing of what to do with puncture in tubeless tyres and the mushroom screw in device did last to the end of the ride:)
Next ride Keswick for Borrowdale bash

20th July 2017 - Gilpin for a tour around

A few met up near the Gilpin bridge, George, Jamie B and M, Neil, Grant and CT, whilst waiting Mat and his son cycled past but on road bikes, so we chatted and they rode off. We set off up the road (nod to the tour de France tarmac;) then at the hotel we went left onto the bridleway and attempted the climb which is tricky! Then onward and up the lane before teeing off along a quad track over the crag and down to the usual start trail at Mill side, we continued on to Beck head and we found the recent hikers bar self serve cafe, a great find (see pics) we did not stop or we would never have started again! Onward for a loop, down the trees route, along the new old route over Nichols Moss and back to the scar to finish on the slab, here Grant had a puncture, then back to cars and home for TdF highlights!

Beck Head hikers rest cafe (self serve)

Top of crag view of sea!

Darker view back to Lakes

If you look very closely you can see a MTBer

Now he's obvious!

Sheep art at the cafe

13th July 2017 - Tour de France stage in Pyrenees

Not exactly a RADs trip but I was there, cycling some of the stage and seeing le Tour in the flesh. I rode a few cols to get a taste and watched from a Cat 1 hill, Col de Mente and I also watched the start at Blangnac, Toulouse on the Saturday, where it was sunny and hot.
Photos to give a flavour;

My new wall art;)

Some data to help you up the climb

Thomas de Gendt in action

Time for the newspaper under the jumper

Col de Mente, cat 1, only 1349m high

Nice graphics on some vehicles

Michael Matthews before green

Sky train, sort of...

Yellow jumper

swapping bottles

Classic shot on my cycle back to Toulouse on the Friday

More vehicle art

Mini Mavic support

 

Main Mavic, note the dropper posts on the road bikes, so they are adjustable

Peleton starting out on Saturday depart

Main jumpers to the front, Aru in yellow!

M.Matthews again

Mr Cummings

And they all went by in a shot, always much waiting, watching and noting that there were Gendarmes every few hundred meters around the start as this was the heavy populated area and most people to protect (mostly from themselves). All good, very hot and a few freebies from the caravan;)