1st February 2019 - 700th blog post and we did Garburn in the snow:)

Not too many recent posts but thought this would be good as the 700th blog post, started this blog in March 2005 so one small chapter for social media;)
Where are the fat bikes when you need them...no real snow low down but it was a cold crisp evening, not wet and we thought let's go and see what is up Garburn and how far would we get. Yes there would be ice but mostly it was under snow and rough enough for grip, the fresh powder was harder but mostly there was a track to follow. JB had brought studded tyres to the party, so lets see how they compare... 
First off up through LimeFitt to start, not too bad past the pub, sheltered by the trees, then right turn and onto the snow line, some running water, but mostly snow over ice, actually rideable and a good warm up, left at the gate onto Garburn and upwards. Now it would get tricky as although a good few walkers had trodden a path line it was not always easy to stick to and heading 'off piste' so to speak was making slow progress, but progress never the less and upward we went. After the quarry we met 4 MTBers coming down, it seemed a lot easier, but we carried out, walking in places (which warmed up toes!) then carry on, in some places getting out of 1st gear and speeding up helped...most of the time.There was some wind on the tops so no hanging about, broadly a nice crisp evening so we carried on over the top. Powder snow about 4" over ice, compacted in places nice to ride. 
Now through the gate and start the descent, any tactics, seat down a little, attach position:) and see how we go, steady basically, like riding in snow!! First section down was cautious, then it got easier, at the bottom there was running water so when I came to a dark section after the bottom date what looked like a stream it was s surprise to realise that it was sheet ice, at this point of realisation I went down, slowly and slid along the ice for a little distance, no damage just a reminder to stay on the grippy stuff! Down past the church and right past Kentmere Hall and up to the top river crossing, keep right and head along to High Borrans, along the road and up Longmire to finish off the last section of Garburn down to the road. Nice:) evening, back to the cars, ice-slush in the water bottles, head home.

View from Grasmere

View from office window

Studs!!

Just above LimeFitt

Big Yella

Yeti???