Next ride TBC, JP and GT will email round
Saturday, May 27, 2017
25th May 2017 - Elterwater
Charlie, Jamie, Grant, George, Joel and CT all met up on the common for a warm summers evening. Set off west and up through the quarry then Dale End to Little Langdale and on to Fell Foot before turning onto the bridleway heading up and over to Tilberthwaite, nice easy going, the 4x4s have altered the off-road track slightly, then down to the playground, Hodge Close, Oxenfell, over the road to Arnside and Iron Keld, it was warm going and feeling close after any ups, we rested at the top, see photos:
Then we set off down and back along the river to Elterwater and the Britannia Inn for a drink, no chips, but it was 9.15pm so crisps it was, nice way to end a ride:) Back to cars and head home.
Next ride TBC, JP and GT will email round
Next ride TBC, JP and GT will email round
Friday, May 26, 2017
20th-21st May 2017 - Jennride Lake District
So it was Jennride weekend, this is a memorial challenge ride in the name of Jenn Hill (biker and writer) who passed away from Cancer 2 years ago. There were two rides this year 100 miles of mostly rideable lakes bridleways or 200km of lakeland fells and a bit of hikeabike including Black Sail and high Street!
So a few folk donated and entered including Jamie Booth, Paul Aengenheister, Max Cousins and Simon Young, they went for the 200km as a challenge! While I went for just 100 miles, not done that before. So preparation, yes rode a few more miles on the MTB, rode the sections I had not done, including one Thursday ride;) and Jamie added Strava miles and rode some of the route. I also went with memorising the route instead of GPS and my memory worked!
On the Saturday the 200km crew set off at 6am, I set off from Staveley at 7.10 am before the mass start about 9 am, so happy to ride away on my own taking it steady, going over to Longsleddale a chap ahead held a gate open, he had set out earlier but taken a wrong turn on his GPS, he was on a Cotic Rocket with good waterproof bags, we stayed together for a little while as I showed him into the next valley, where it started to rain, heavily, this was not forecast, Goretex had to go on including the hood under helmet, arrhhhh! At Sadgill start the climb up, rain slightly easing but wet though, anyhow keep going I am here now and lets see how far I get, rode up to middle gate but walked the S bends to save legs, continued on, down the other side (9am) and onto 3 rivers section after Kentmere church, steady away, then High Borrans route to Dubbs to to Garburn then left and right at Limefitt for the long green head section, then Troutbeck and Robin lane onto Ambleside (11.30am) for coffee and a bake, then popped into Ghyllside and caught up with Joel, who had his camp gear all ready on the fattie and so we made a plan to meet up after work.
I then set off for the coffin route, round to Grasmere, along the shore, round and over Loughrigg, tarn, YHA, Elterwater, Chapel Stile, Langdale, back bridleway for hike-a-bike then back for food at Stickle Barn pub (3pm).
Incidentally the county tops fell race was also on that day and they start from Stickle, 37 miles, 10,000 ft ascent covering the old country tops: The Race starts in Great Langdale and takes in the tops of Helvellyn, Scafell Pike and Coniston before returning to Great Langdale, after which the competitors are fed and watered. Rob from my local garage did it and said it was hard!
So onward and heading for Elterwater, Little Langdale, Tilberthwaite, Iron Keld (6pm) and then onto Hawkshead for food and meet up with JP, it was now about 8pm and we headed up the NF route, dropped into the visitor centre for water and headed up onto the fell at Parkamoor, now getting dark at 9.45pm so pitch camp, it was windy but should keep any midges at bay and there was a view, JP had a tent while I was in a bivi; coffee and chocolate consumed, time for bed 11.30pm.
Sunday: Some of us were up at 4.30am it was daylight, grey, but daybreak, so up and about to get warm, brew on and porridge. Then de-camp and pack up, a few other early risers were on their way, JP was doing well and stayed in bed, I said goodbye and set off at 6.30am, parkamoor, left through the forest to Satterthwaite, up and over Breasty, cross the road and back into the forest, passed another Jennrider camped in the wood who had ridden a spell with, then on to near sawrey and up onto Claiffe, stopped for snacks at Moss Eccles, now raining, steady climb ahead, another group passed me they had camped a little further on, just took longer to get going. Over the top and onto guide posts, turn left and down to Colthouse, right on the road and round to basecamp, steady climb, nip into camp for water, back out and up to Belle Grange descent, it was slippy on the cobbles!
Down to the shore and along to Wray, then head to Ambleside along the trails, the marathon was on at Brathay so very busy, detour round and into Gregs for coffee and pasty before heading out and up Mirk, into Troutbeck up the first section of Longmire, then right and along road until Dubbs, here I shouted hello to a rider and it turned out to be Paul, he was in knackered ride all night mode (no stopping) and just asked if I was OK, yes I was, so I carried on up Dubbs and onto Garburn steady to the top, this involved some walking to make sure I had legs for the technical descent, especially after seeing someone the day before having an OTB accident. A few folk passed me at the top while I was snacking by the gate, then steady down and over Green quarter and back via HP, felt good at the end, back 3pm. Sunday had involved 3 gels through just to help fuel the ride.
Back to sign off and collect my beer reward:) Then coffee, pork pie and cake and catch up with Jamie, Paul, Max and Simon. Their story was a bit different, briefly two of them had ridden through the night, Max kept going and was back around 11am and Paul an hour or so after, basically 30-31 hrs total for 200km, I had takem 31 hrs overall with 18 actual riding, 5 sleeping (sort of) and the rest you know out there. Jamie and Simon were sensible and slept from around 2am-4am, so they were fine, back around 2.45pm.
All good, over £10,300 plus gift aid plus £500 raffle was raised for charity.
So a few folk donated and entered including Jamie Booth, Paul Aengenheister, Max Cousins and Simon Young, they went for the 200km as a challenge! While I went for just 100 miles, not done that before. So preparation, yes rode a few more miles on the MTB, rode the sections I had not done, including one Thursday ride;) and Jamie added Strava miles and rode some of the route. I also went with memorising the route instead of GPS and my memory worked!
On the Saturday the 200km crew set off at 6am, I set off from Staveley at 7.10 am before the mass start about 9 am, so happy to ride away on my own taking it steady, going over to Longsleddale a chap ahead held a gate open, he had set out earlier but taken a wrong turn on his GPS, he was on a Cotic Rocket with good waterproof bags, we stayed together for a little while as I showed him into the next valley, where it started to rain, heavily, this was not forecast, Goretex had to go on including the hood under helmet, arrhhhh! At Sadgill start the climb up, rain slightly easing but wet though, anyhow keep going I am here now and lets see how far I get, rode up to middle gate but walked the S bends to save legs, continued on, down the other side (9am) and onto 3 rivers section after Kentmere church, steady away, then High Borrans route to Dubbs to to Garburn then left and right at Limefitt for the long green head section, then Troutbeck and Robin lane onto Ambleside (11.30am) for coffee and a bake, then popped into Ghyllside and caught up with Joel, who had his camp gear all ready on the fattie and so we made a plan to meet up after work.
I then set off for the coffin route, round to Grasmere, along the shore, round and over Loughrigg, tarn, YHA, Elterwater, Chapel Stile, Langdale, back bridleway for hike-a-bike then back for food at Stickle Barn pub (3pm).
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| Bike prep' |
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| Brightening up ;) |
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| Windermere under cloud |
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| Recognise this spot...you can just see some riders on the beach |
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| Stickle barn mid-afternoon snack |
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| Brekkie |
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| What camp looked like in the morning |
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| Reward:) |
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| Jennride 100 Strava map |
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| The other route, JB's Jennride 200km |
So onward and heading for Elterwater, Little Langdale, Tilberthwaite, Iron Keld (6pm) and then onto Hawkshead for food and meet up with JP, it was now about 8pm and we headed up the NF route, dropped into the visitor centre for water and headed up onto the fell at Parkamoor, now getting dark at 9.45pm so pitch camp, it was windy but should keep any midges at bay and there was a view, JP had a tent while I was in a bivi; coffee and chocolate consumed, time for bed 11.30pm.
Sunday: Some of us were up at 4.30am it was daylight, grey, but daybreak, so up and about to get warm, brew on and porridge. Then de-camp and pack up, a few other early risers were on their way, JP was doing well and stayed in bed, I said goodbye and set off at 6.30am, parkamoor, left through the forest to Satterthwaite, up and over Breasty, cross the road and back into the forest, passed another Jennrider camped in the wood who had ridden a spell with, then on to near sawrey and up onto Claiffe, stopped for snacks at Moss Eccles, now raining, steady climb ahead, another group passed me they had camped a little further on, just took longer to get going. Over the top and onto guide posts, turn left and down to Colthouse, right on the road and round to basecamp, steady climb, nip into camp for water, back out and up to Belle Grange descent, it was slippy on the cobbles!
Down to the shore and along to Wray, then head to Ambleside along the trails, the marathon was on at Brathay so very busy, detour round and into Gregs for coffee and pasty before heading out and up Mirk, into Troutbeck up the first section of Longmire, then right and along road until Dubbs, here I shouted hello to a rider and it turned out to be Paul, he was in knackered ride all night mode (no stopping) and just asked if I was OK, yes I was, so I carried on up Dubbs and onto Garburn steady to the top, this involved some walking to make sure I had legs for the technical descent, especially after seeing someone the day before having an OTB accident. A few folk passed me at the top while I was snacking by the gate, then steady down and over Green quarter and back via HP, felt good at the end, back 3pm. Sunday had involved 3 gels through just to help fuel the ride.
Back to sign off and collect my beer reward:) Then coffee, pork pie and cake and catch up with Jamie, Paul, Max and Simon. Their story was a bit different, briefly two of them had ridden through the night, Max kept going and was back around 11am and Paul an hour or so after, basically 30-31 hrs total for 200km, I had takem 31 hrs overall with 18 actual riding, 5 sleeping (sort of) and the rest you know out there. Jamie and Simon were sensible and slept from around 2am-4am, so they were fine, back around 2.45pm.
All good, over £10,300 plus gift aid plus £500 raffle was raised for charity.
Monday, May 22, 2017
18th May 2017 - Ings
Grant and Georges big ride out, but where....
Despite Grants promises of an all night epic only 2 riders turned up for this event ( Maybe some were put off) Grant obviously and George. After a short discussion it was decided to complete a tour of Kentmere rather than Troutbeck. So we crossed the main road and proceeded up the hill towards the first of the 3 rivers. The tracks were very dry so we making good time.
From the first river we proceeded towards Kentmere Hall enjoying the fast downhill.
From Kentmere Hall we carried on past the church taking the 2nd left up the hill for the start of green quarter. At the top gate we both cleared the next section to the top of the hill and enjoyed the fast descent to the gate leading to HP.
The ride down HP was excellent with the last section having lots of loose rocks.
Leaving HP we turned left then right for the tracks leading back to Ings. At the top of tarmac lane Grant suggested that we go back via the messy farm and takevthe gully back to the Ings lane.
The first section of the gully section was cleared no problem then on the short grass section George managed to find a hole big enough to swallow his 27.5 front wheel and hence left his bike only to find it landing on top of him a few yards further on with the pedal taking the skin off his leg. George then managed to ride the last rocky section before joining a concerned Grant on the lane. Overall a great ride 12 miles and 1600+ft climbing in 1 hour 50mins so not quite an epic but good fun. GT
Next ride Elterwater
Sunday, May 14, 2017
11th May 2017 - Grasmere for Langdales
OK so I had an idea to try a couple of sections I had not been to before, hence this route, Grant, Jamie M, Jamie B and CT met up in Grasmere on a nice summer evening. We set off through the village of Grasmere on the road up towards red bank, passing a small deer in a lower field, then turn off left on the improved path down to the shore, head along the shore line and enjoy the view, the island looks good from this side. Then right at the beach and up the trail back towards the road, then left at the cottage and on up the track to the top of the wood, here we saw a red squirrel. At the top gate while we paused and discussed route choice guess which fat bike came along...yes JP, he had heard Grant mention Elterwater in an email and parked there (blog definitely says Grasmere ;), so now we had 5 riders, head up to the road and past the YHA and down to road for a little off-road section, then along to Chapel Stile and continue along to Sticklebarn and the bridleway behind heading along to old dungeon ghyll. This was a little carry for everyone, it's quite technical, then ride-able and keep an eye out for lambs, there were plenty. At the pub we headed back on the road and looked for the track ion the other side and followed this back up the valley but off-road. This did involve passing through a field of bouncy lambs running amok:)
This basically comes out back at Elterwater slate quarry, so we headed up the technical BW and then left down to Elterwater and up the common to the YHA, here JP decided he was too close to the car and headed back, we carried on to the terrace and headed back via the river and back in daylight, all very civilised and about 17 miles:)
Next ride by Grant, Ings park near pub
This basically comes out back at Elterwater slate quarry, so we headed up the technical BW and then left down to Elterwater and up the common to the YHA, here JP decided he was too close to the car and headed back, we carried on to the terrace and headed back via the river and back in daylight, all very civilised and about 17 miles:)
Next ride by Grant, Ings park near pub
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| Bluebells |
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| The trails! |
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| Spotted on the weekend on some singletrack! |
Sunday, May 07, 2017
4th May 2017 - Askham to Ullswater shore
So a few of us met up at the swimming pool car park in Askham, it was polling day and so the facility was being used as a polling station, it would have been convenient for some who had forgotten to vote, but it outside our parish!
This is a tale of two rides...two rides you say...yes, Joels car was parked up by the time we got there, no bike on the rack, so was he out for an early training ride? Oh wait there was a sign on the window, "Left early and heading for the top, see you there", the only thing was we had not communicated the route yet! Now to be fair we often head up Loadpot hill and head down to the cockpit, but due to wind and the dry trail conditions we decided to head west to Howtown and a bit of the shore ride. So start some communication, mobile phone out "base camp calling first wave are you receiving...." and yes Joel answered the phone, it was a tad windy and so much interference on the line, "where are you...?" we asked, "heading up the hill" he reply'd OK which hill? Oh yes that one, we explained out situation, how near are you to the top, do you want to meet us at the cockpit? OK lets see if this works...We headed off just after 6.30pm sunny but very windy, out of Askham heading west to the cockpit, the climb was slow then we had sight of Loadpot, bloomin' miles away, could we spy anyone looking like Joel or was he wearing camo again! Rendezvous at the cockpit, reenact some cock fighting! No just kidding ;0) too windy to hang around, head more west to some shelter by a wall and more radio comms "camp one calling JP, over", he heard the call but opted to do his own ride, time will tell if this was a wise move...
So George, Grant, Jamie and CT headed west and enjoyed the really fast descent to Howtown, rocky in places so slow down where required. At Howtown headed to Martindale and then decided to head up Boredale Hause and back via the shore, hoping the wind would die down or we might be sheltered a bit. Along the valley heading to the Hause we saw a load of deer, a great sight in a quite area. Climb up the Hause, a bit of hike-a-bike, then at the top we headed to the right, Jamie said watch out it's bloomin' sketchy (words might have changed!) and he was right, it's a black run in places but walkable;) then along the shore, sun setting, we heard a deer 'barking' very near us and saw one in the tree cover just above the shore. Enjoy the rest of the shore singletrack and back to Martindale, here we decided to take the road back to Pooley to save the last climb, now with lights on. So about 10.10pm we passed the Sharrow Bay, but we did not stop for chips! keep going nice and steady, turn right and back via Celleron, feeling tired now and back to cars 10.50pm, last orders anyone...if only JP was still there! Too tired so headed home, about 5 DegC on a cooling evening and we did a sweet 23 miles according to Georges Garmin.
Next ride from Grasmere, lap of Langdale and up past the pubs.
This is a tale of two rides...two rides you say...yes, Joels car was parked up by the time we got there, no bike on the rack, so was he out for an early training ride? Oh wait there was a sign on the window, "Left early and heading for the top, see you there", the only thing was we had not communicated the route yet! Now to be fair we often head up Loadpot hill and head down to the cockpit, but due to wind and the dry trail conditions we decided to head west to Howtown and a bit of the shore ride. So start some communication, mobile phone out "base camp calling first wave are you receiving...." and yes Joel answered the phone, it was a tad windy and so much interference on the line, "where are you...?" we asked, "heading up the hill" he reply'd OK which hill? Oh yes that one, we explained out situation, how near are you to the top, do you want to meet us at the cockpit? OK lets see if this works...We headed off just after 6.30pm sunny but very windy, out of Askham heading west to the cockpit, the climb was slow then we had sight of Loadpot, bloomin' miles away, could we spy anyone looking like Joel or was he wearing camo again! Rendezvous at the cockpit, reenact some cock fighting! No just kidding ;0) too windy to hang around, head more west to some shelter by a wall and more radio comms "camp one calling JP, over", he heard the call but opted to do his own ride, time will tell if this was a wise move...
So George, Grant, Jamie and CT headed west and enjoyed the really fast descent to Howtown, rocky in places so slow down where required. At Howtown headed to Martindale and then decided to head up Boredale Hause and back via the shore, hoping the wind would die down or we might be sheltered a bit. Along the valley heading to the Hause we saw a load of deer, a great sight in a quite area. Climb up the Hause, a bit of hike-a-bike, then at the top we headed to the right, Jamie said watch out it's bloomin' sketchy (words might have changed!) and he was right, it's a black run in places but walkable;) then along the shore, sun setting, we heard a deer 'barking' very near us and saw one in the tree cover just above the shore. Enjoy the rest of the shore singletrack and back to Martindale, here we decided to take the road back to Pooley to save the last climb, now with lights on. So about 10.10pm we passed the Sharrow Bay, but we did not stop for chips! keep going nice and steady, turn right and back via Celleron, feeling tired now and back to cars 10.50pm, last orders anyone...if only JP was still there! Too tired so headed home, about 5 DegC on a cooling evening and we did a sweet 23 miles according to Georges Garmin.
Next ride from Grasmere, lap of Langdale and up past the pubs.
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| Heading out to the cockpit |
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| Can we see JP over there..... |
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| No but we can see Ullswater |
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| Navigation posts |
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| Looking towards Pooley Bridge, we'll be there later (did not know at the time:) |
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| Spot the deer |
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| See, loads of them! |
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| Nice weather, can't see the wind |
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| This is where we have come from! |
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| Sun on the tops |
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| Last bit of road |
Monday, May 01, 2017
29th April 2017 - Tour de Yorkshire (a little ride out on tarmac;)
A couple of us went over to Yorkshire on Friday evening to stay over and cycle some of the tour route and see the women's race first then the men's Saturday ride. We stayed very near Pateley Bridge, sampled a Bangladeshi curry Friday evening, then rode down the hill Saturday morning for the women's race before riding along the route around Nidderdale AONB. We climbed the KOM above Lofthouse (hard work!) Headed over to Masham, enjoyed a cuppa tea and cake in a school near Fearby (Kell Bank CoE primary, they also had a brass band playing and a pizza oven, we stuck with cake:). We then took the B road down to Fountains Abbey for a quick look round a NT property ;) then headed to Hebden Bank to watch the tour climb the hill, before heading back.
A grand day out 40 odd miles by bike, out all day, loads of Police motorbikes and generally very quiet roads for cycling along:)
A grand day out 40 odd miles by bike, out all day, loads of Police motorbikes and generally very quiet roads for cycling along:)
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| What it says on the tin.... |
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| Just missing a chain! |
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| Pateley Bridge before the riders |
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| With riders, the breakaway |
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| Peleton |
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| Fountains Abbey |
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| Police BMW |
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| Riding up that hill.... |
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| I was there :) |
27th April 2017 - Staveley for Sadgill
George, Grant, Jamie and CT met up in Staveley and did the Sadgill round, JB had some new bars and first ride out, could be interesting! Out of the village and up and over to Longsleddale, look out for the lambs, nice ride to Sadgill then that climb nice for the legs, nearly made the 'S' bends but not quite, carry on up with a few rain drops, not too bad keep going, over the top blast down the other side, sample some of Jamie's flapjack with some added seeds! Down the bonus loop, chat on the road and then green quarter to finish, Grant was getting cold ('cause he had no jacket in his bag!!) and he went straight down, the rest went to HP for a look, some new planting has been done. Back down the road, around 15 miles car to car, (or 32 odd miles if you rode from Kendal, JB testing his bars).
Next ride TBC (possibly Askham)
Next ride TBC (possibly Askham)
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| Virtual summer, see that blue sky |
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| JB with new bars! |
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| Dry trails |
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| George ready for the downhill |
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