16th May 2013 - Ings + meal

Well 8 turned out for the meal at the Watermill, Ings. 5 went on a short ride around 3 rivers, 2 met them half way but avoided the rivers (toooooo wet ;)) and one rode out via Barbon! roll call; Charlie, George, Ian, Joel, Neil, Grant, Jamie and CT. Apparently it did not rain on the short ride, but it did rain on the road ride, given that it started at 5pm and there were many puddles forming on the roads road spray was in evidence. Looking at JPs bike there was mud on the short ride! see photo for evening light looking over Kendal.

The lakes bathed in evening sunlight, or has it just rained!

It was a busy night at the pub, there was a meeting in the other dining area so everyone was crammed in, we negotiated some smaller tables and joined them together. A couple had salmon starter and it was excellent, the main courses were scoffed down in usual manner of hungry cyclists! 
Prior to the grub Neil had heard about CT's plan for a mini-tour de Pyrenees in June and not one to miss out on Inspirational guidance offered a small gift, see photo! It must be said that Charlie is also heading to the Pyrenees a week or so later and aims to do the coast to coast, but she has a triple on her bike, easy ride then ;)

OK, so we have the socks now just to get the T-shirt!

Next ride is Haverthwaite, enjoy.

9th May 2013 - Lowick for Grizedale

4 met up near the red Lion at Lowick on this damp evening, George, Grant, Jamie and CT; as CT wanted a change from the traditional RADs  warm up, we headed north along the east shore of Coniston, past Ian's (who was not there anyway) and onwards  after a while the drizzle stopped and someone suggested we take our waterproofs off, you know one for all and all for one....! of course this would not bring on more rain, positive thinking and all that...we kept going past Brantwood (cafe closed ;( and then picked up the next bridleway on the right which leads us onto Lawson park, now about 7.30pm, then uphill test through the trees, left along the fire road, down the rocky route to meet up at the bottom of the black run, turn right and climb. Then head over to Park Crags and along to Parksmoor, now it was mizzle so coats on for the descent...once we get to it...now just the downhill (and uphill bits) back to Ian's, no time for coffee, lights on for road section, back to cars for 9.30 a little damp, but a good ride. Next week it's Ings short ride 6.30 meal from 8pm at the Watermill, see you there.

2nd May 2013 - Ribblehead for a ride in the Yorkshire Dales

A beautiful May evening awaited us and so Jamie, Grant, George, Neil, Charlie and CT met up just past the viaduct for a sunny ride out. Head out north east on the Blea Moor road until you past the dales way on the right go about 1km further and look for a track on the left hand side, which is Black Rake road, head up past a few strange sounding places, dike head, mossy bottom, I kid thee not refer to OS map! then head east down the road and cross over to start the climb up the Ribble way to meet the Cam High road. We re-grouped at the top and ate flap-jack, whilst Charlie fished in her new bag for a half eaten high 5 bar and George had forgotten his water and borrowed Chris's spare bladder with a few oz of h20 left in the bottom for emergencies, not sure if George dared to drink any...! Now it's the Dales way all the way back to the road and we noticed earlier that the powers that be were surfacing some sections, seemingly as an access road for forestry so some of the bottom track was surfaced in stone, but still had big dips and double dips to watch out for especially at speed, you have been warned. It was basically a dry ride and dusty at the end with all the stone. We left the top gate around 8pm-ish and were back at the cars by 8.30-ish covered in dust. A shortish blast ride back for an early bath. Next ride is Lowick. Additional photos by Neil Lichfield:)

Chewing flap-jack

we came this way>

nice view!

heading back

25th April 2013 - Sedbergh to Dent

Jamie, Neil, George, Grant and CT made it out on this sunny evening, but it had been wet earlier and a little breezy, so what to wear...start up and over Millthrop, down and over ford, or at least the bridge, built in 1999, some folk remember the days before the bridge when we used to try to ride through the ford, it seems very deep this time, so bridge it was. Now steady along the road for a ways, until we stopped to put more air into JBs rear tubeless set-up (not much gunk, so air spilling out;) whilst stopped a farmer stopped by on his quad after attending to his sheep and chatted about head lamps and how some riders were less considerate with night riding and blinding motorists, I think he was taking time to chat and raise local issues, great Polizia jacket in green by the way:) onwards and upwards for Gawthrop hill, not before being chased by a terrier dog. Grant was on fire using middle ring and racing ahead, we paced ourselves up and re-grouped near South Lord's land for a snack before the green lane to High Moss and the rocky descent, on the way just watch out for frogs born in the puddles, no tails yet so fairly recent, so survival of the fittest with quads and mtb going through the puddles! Now lower seats for the downhill and enjoy, then back along the lanes, around 15-16 miles in all, very nice. Next ride is Ribblehead, but do not worry it's not the whole circuit, probably the last half of fun.

Suns rays in evening light

"gate view"

'riders!'

Future frogs!

18th April 2013 - Satterthwaite

Ian turned up in his van, well his sons (who is travelling home from the other side of the world and wants his van back!) so will we see Ian again....George, Grant, Jamie and CT also made it out. It was threatening a bit of rain but we never really needed goretex just to keep riding along. Out to village and up the first hill (usual RADs warm up!), so up Breasty Haw and try out the rock step a few times just to get the best line, or any line...! there were a few puddles after the recent rain, but nice to get out, all the way down and up to the fox, where they are logging so the fox is not visible from the fire road, but it is there if you know here to look. Down to moor top, passing some MTBers packing up! over the road and down and across Jack Gap plantation and along to take in the down to lawson park, but also the tricky climb back out, now it is damp and tree rooty but sections are actually ridable if you commit and go for it and very pleasing when it works OK:) Grant was lamenting about not going for a beer after rides ;(, but them said he wanted an early bath.... so we headed down Moor Lane and back to the cars, not before we had two punctures, JB and CT luckily within the last 100 yds, just watch those water bars when chasing down hill! getting dark later but great to be out. Next ride is Sedbergh.

11th April 2013 - Elterwater

Charlie, George, Jamie, Steve and CT turned out with a bit o'rain for a ride round Little Langdale, up and over to high tilberthwaite, on the way there is a section of rock slab and after trying the steep side, which was a tad slippy, the best route is up the left shoulder, narrow but doable. Charlie was sporting a sparkly re-cycled front fork, nice and smooth, 'er even built it up by 'er fair hand;). Enjoy descent down to the playground, but no play as it was inhabited by a load of sheep,  so a little de-tour and game of follow my leader by JB! then off up Hodge Close and over high oxen fell and onwards to iron keld, time for lights on and Charlie, it helps to connect the cables together....! down the road and a puncture for JB (don't forget to fix the inner that we neatly put back into the inner tube box:)) and back via the river route then cake at the cars. Next ride is Satterthwaite.

4th April 2013 - Staveley

Maybe it was having more time to ride in daylight, for the first ride after the  hour changed, that caused some indecision (mud-dled thinking) at  the start of the ride . Anyway, after some discussion, one  rider set off from the start at Barley Bridge, and  the rest of us  followed, which is how Jamie, Charlie, Grant, Steve and Neil found themselves riding  up towards Browfoot, and  for a change down the little used bridle way, just beyond the track to the farm, which joins the farm track further along the  the river and so onto another difficult decision at Ullthwaite Bridge. Eventually it was decided to go  up the good decent,  over two rivers, on the way up we were passed at speed by some mountain bikers going down, maybe they spent more time planning a route? After the second river crossing we had a slight pause as Steve sorted out a broken chain. This  gave Charlie time for quick test on Neil's (now a 29er convert) new Santa Cruz, , which was out on it's first RADS outing.  Chain  fixed and off we went, not wanting  to hang around too long because the the higher  we got,  the more noticeable the strong and cold wind felt. The quick decent to Kentmere Hall was quickly followed by the climb up the road to Green Quarter, and during  the climb up the fell side the light started to fade. 

After a brief stop to refuel whilst sheltering behind a wall out of the wind, and then onto tackle the last section to climb up Green Quarter Fell, into the wind and towards the old ruined barn. As the remaining daylight quickly disappeared, lights got switched on to see the way down into the wind, and then the turn to get the wind on our backs. The twisty decent saw Jamie have a very rare emergency dismount, from a problem with a very deep rut, in what in normally a very deep puddle section. Resulting in  Jamie doing some  precision re-alignment of the bars with the forks, this delay meant a first for Charlie as  she got to the next gate first! Down through HP and the previous clear line through the rocky section, we had seen last time we went down  HP, was no more and it was more of the usual challenge, all got down  OK though. Unfortunately Chris was unable to make the ride, something about rabbits Easter and being egg bound on the way to Coniston;) Cheers Neil,

Next week Elterwater.

A little mud.

Bank Holiday Monday 1st April 2013 - Road ride out to Hawes

JB and CT ventured out for some road miles, now it was a B/H Monday so a few folk on the road, but not too many pedal cycles, except motorcyclists and the police with their speed devices, they clocked us through Cowan Bridge at 13mph! did I mention the wind, it was mostly an Easterly and wind chill COLD, which direction were we headed yes East so cold and slow. We also stopped at the bike shop, Escape bikes, where they let us use some oil to get rid of the chain mouse ;) see here http://www.escapebikeshop.com/, they also have an electric MTB, more like a motocross bike, around 48-52kg, yes KG in weight, see photo, if you have to ask the price you can't afford it! Onward through Ingleton and onto Ribblehead for a coffee to keep us going into that HEAD WIND, eventually 3 hrs in we arrive at Hawes for lunch and a rest. A couple in the cafe said they had come over the back lanes and there was still snow on the roads, where as the main roads were clear of snow. We set off back via Sedbergh and the road was better mainly due to the wind direction, see photo for a ace picture of the straight road in front of you, through Sedbergh up the road to Killington and home back Endmoor, 65 miles just under 5 hours riding. Cuppa tea, food and hot shower very welcome.

Electric bike.

Ingleton to Ribblehead road, east

Ingleton to Ribblehead road, west

The road ahead!

28th March 2013 - Far Sawrey

It was a nice day and I decided to cycle over the ferry, sadly I ran out of time to cycle from home ;) so I had to park somewhere east of the ferry and ended up on the Crook road, so it's a quick blast down to the ferry, of course it would mean a little climb back up later....So over the ferry, then along the shore and up the first climb at the bottom of Belt Ash Coppice, this is a steady climb but was dry and grippy and would act as a warm up, some ice near the top and then some snow, before the drop into Far Sawrey, it was just after 6pm so I sat on a bench near the church and soaked up the last rays of the sunshine whilst waiting for the others. Charlie, Jamie and Stephen turned up, Stephen is a friend of Neil's, who had encouraged him to come out on a Thursday, but then Neil had  taken a duvet day:) (it's a joke!). We set of for a fairly traditional route back down the climb to enjoy the descent down to the lake, along the shore line and keep going to High Wray Bay and up to Wray, watch out as the shore route is now surfaced but there are bollards in the centre to stop vehicles. Here go along the road a little and tee of left to pick up the bridleway past Blelham Tarn and up snakebite alley to Outgate, along to Hawkshead but take the cut through to Colthouse and head up Colthouse plantation, not sure but this route felt uphill, but them don't all MTB route feel that way! Steady away up the climb, now it was dark so lights were on, good start keep moving up, until Charlie's free-hub body froze and spun round, so a walk for her until someone could wee on the hub to warm it up and fee the ice! Yes it was cold with the sun gone, say about -2 and further up the climb ice and snow appeared. Part way up Charlie was peddling again so keep going, right at the guide posts blast down the fire road to meet a pile of snow at the corner, sloooow down! Now usual route back over Claiffe to the cars, 8.50pm last ferry at 9 so I just kept peddling and shouted goodbyes, half-way down the hill my headlamp went off, not a good sign, keep going....make it with a couple of minutes to go, last ferry and only me on it. Headlamp was only the cable so plugged it back in and then a steady hill climb back to the car. A good ride, great conditions if a little icy with wind chill. Next ride is Staveley, at Barely Bridge.

View of snow capped hills from ferry

View from west shoreline

Last ferry, empty!

Sunday 24th March 2013 - Garburn in snow

So a few of us ventured out into the cold weather to see where the snow line was and it was up Garburn :), due to the partial blue sky, many folk were out and many on bikes. We started from Staveley and went along Fellfoot and Browfoot and up the tarmac climb which was icy, easy for Neil as he had the foresight to put ice tyres on where we just had 29er tyres, doh! see photos, then we went over Mickle moss and down to Kentmere testing snow drifts along the way and meeting a load of bikers all saying many snow drifts around, so we thought it worth a trip onto Garburn to see what it was like, it could be tooo bad could it....? on the way up we passed three walkers and they pretty much stayed with us until the top of Garburn. At the top gate the snow drift meant that you could easily walk over the gate without climbing and we met a load of fell runners here and found a snow drift that had formed a corrie, snow overhang (see photo with dogs on top!). The descent was fun, many snow drifts too soft to ride over just to slow us down, thanks to Neil for the photos, enjoy. oh and we ended up having a coffee and bun at More bakery, well earned something like 14 miles over snow in 3-4 hours! Thursday ride is Far Sawrey.

21st March 2013 - Gilpin Bridge

Two turned out, Grant and Jamie (who had ridden out), there appear to be new signs asking for patron only parking....so park in the lay-by down the road if not going to partake. Apparently it was cold so a quick blast of the usual circuit and watch out for the mud on the nice descent, you know the one with a drop off on one side, just don't look down....! 
Next ride is from far Sawrey, park near pub or in church car park for small £, last chance before Easter Eggstravaganza to work off some calories, you know you want to!

14th March 2013 - Ambleside, Pelter Bridge

It had rained earlier in the day but it was not really wet at 6.30, but some mizzle later on, this may have put some folk off as well as holidays, so basically no need for a name count this evening.....I ventured out for the coffin route, technical in places and tree rooting in others, never best on a damp day! but nice and quiet. There were a few places where the rain has eroded some ground, especially the drop into White Moss, I may have taken a wrong turning here, but ended up heading to the caves, again the section after the caves is now very rocky :) More rain now so early bath. Next ride Gilpin Bridge.

7th March 2013 - Ings

The dry spell we had been having had come to an end but only light rain during the morning, in the evening there was some threatening drizzle-sleet but nowt to worry about. Two turned out JB and CT, one to test his re-built bike and the other to test knees! Well really nice to get out on a bike in nice conditions dry underfoot but a cold wind, so head along the road to Dubbs, but we decided to come back down the track and so continued along the road to the next bridleway and then join Garburn down to the road, here CT had a fight with a flying rock, rock 1 shin 0 (blood down sock interface!). Down at road right turn and along to Limefitt and up Garburn to come back down Dubbs, nice easy ride all working, back for an early bath and food. Next ride from Ambleside, park Pelter Bridge car park.

28th February 2013 - Elterwater

Paul and CT turned up for a beautiful evening and enjoyed a gentle ride around Little Langdale, Tilberthwaite farm, Hodge Close and finished with the descent down NT plantation. Fairly dry (no rain for the last few days) but the odd mud puddle, warm evening about 10 deg C, so nice grippy climbs just to keep the legs going.

Here is some GPS data (take with a pinch of salt ;)

Stats

Ave Speed	3.58mph
Ave Pace	16m 46s
Moving Time	1h 24m 52s
Ave Moving Speed	6.02mph
Ave Moving Pace	9m 58s
Max Speed	26.41mph

Calories

Total

904 Cal

Elevation

Min / Max	371ft / 879ft
Ascent	+2,713ft
Descent	-2,730ft
Max Ascent 500m	+223ft
Max Descent 500m	-230ft

Not sure what it all means,max speed can't be right;)

Next ride Ings.

21st February – Ings 3 x 3 rivers.

OK it was cold, but it was a fine night with frozen puddles, and the plan was a short ride from Ings to cross 3 rivers. Grant, George and Neil turned up so 3 set off up the road to Grassgarth for 3 rivers, the ground was frozen and hard so the main uncertainty was how deep the puddles were across Mickle Moss when the ice was broken. It was not really the best of nights to hang around chatting at gates, so it was a brisk crossing of the 3 rivers, and down towards Ullthwaite Bridge and through Browfoot and the last climb up the road. The final challenge was the last decent after Hugill Hall, and the rocky section before joining the road back to Ings, and as Grant said that left him with some unfinished business – but that would be seen to by Grant and Neil early on Saturday morning.

Next ride is Elterwater.

14th February 2013 - Sedbergh or not?

So Sedbergh was the scheduled ride but due to various forces some folk had other plans... now it was February 14th what could it be...but it is a Thursday night ride so the show must go on, after all we may get to see belly dancing, who, what, why...more news later ;) Charlie nabbed some cake from work (enough for 6!) and sped off to the rendezvous spot, but it was particularly quiet (she had unfortunately missed the text update from CT), following a game of text tennis we re-grouped south of the county and cycled out of Milnthorpe for a tour of South Lakes beauty spots. Down the lanes to Holme and onto a towing path ;) this was a tad slippery on wet grass with a camber either to the water of the canal or the other side is a steep embankment with big drop, so don't slide off! tee off near Cinderbarrow and down A6 then left onto a bridleway down to the M6 and use the underpass then along to Tewitfield, around various lanes and muddy tracks until pine lake, the mud was sticky as ..#! and once back on the tarmac CT had a puncture, it's a pain changing a tube covered in mud! Next head across A6 and into Warton by bridleway (option of a Warton hose-down mid-ride, but no (leave jim in peace) so we carried on, the extra mud weight means more training!) Now up the coach road and onto the bridleway over Warton Crag, the first part of the hill is steep and you need to keep momentum, once you stop you are walking...over the top and enjoy the descent, down the bottom and head towards Silverdale (coffee at Grants perhaps...?) time ticking by 9pm+ at this point, keep going, Waterslack, Hazelslack, Storth, Sandside where we found a new lane for Charlie and back to Milnthorpe. Passing by an old stone house with scaffold outside and Charlie wondered what was going on, it was Joels house and the lights were on so she tapped on the window to find a surprised JP (hard working student!) and he came out for a chat, explaining about his recent hospital operation and that he had 3 scars, hence the belly dance show!!!!! Back to the cars, nearly 20 miles so I ate half the cake! We hosed down the bikes and called it a night, "happy valentines everyone". Next ride is Ings

7th February 2013 - Winster

Warning sign on gate (after we had come through field!)

After ride food, choco cake with cream from Merry Berry recipe!

6 folk turned out on this cold winters eve; George, Neil (after his day training ride!), Grant, Jamie, Charlie and CT, fairly normal route clockwise, down the hill right over ford (bridge) UP hill *to warm up* then along a bit and down off-road, through some mud, up track, through puddles, across lane, up track, down to road, cue change of brake pads! snack, down more road (to bed in brakes pads) up slippery slope watch that ice and just keep riding steady and enjoy those new tyres....anyone? down slippery slope over road onto mud track slow down! back to cars, chat. Various discussions on driving safety on unlit country roads, holiday travel and pitfalls of! where to ride on a Saturday in the Lakes. Next week it is February 14th and apparently some folk have prior engagements (if their other half's are reading this, no they don't:)) Next Thursday ride is Sedbergh if you are free.

31st January 2013 - Hawkshead

Jamie, Neil, Grant and CT met up in the school car park, there were a few cars arriving as they had a school meeting but plenty of space for all, when speaking with the head teacher she could not quite fathom why we were there at night, until I explained about night riding:).So which direction? Off up the hill onto the NF route and down towards the visitor centre, then we thought about up to the Fox but the track was closed for drainage works so we headed off down to Boggle for the fire road route into the forest, here the route becomes interesting...Jamie was not feeling his best, apparently he had not had his usual porridge! where as Grant had had sushi, very healthy until you factor in the addition of a sub! CT had had bacon and egg bun, carbo! Anyway we worked our way back to Hawkshead via fire roads until we came out at the Fox then did the 'Fox' descent and met a few other bikers sessioning the same route but now heading back up! Then back to the cars via the road. No pub, next ride Winster park by church.   

Saturday 26th January 2013 - Staveley SNOW ride with pics

Charlie setting off into the snow

Up towards Staveley Head

Recognise this bike?

Charlie attempting the HP drop!    ;)

Frozen beck

So after the snowfall on Friday Charlie and I ventured out to see what the riding would be like and decided on Staveley; to set the scene in Warton there was no snow, Milnthorpe 2", Kendal seemed to be about 4", Staveley 4-6" and out on the fells around Staveley Head 9". So it was an interesting drive (but safe on winter tyres, cheers CSC) but I did have to push a couple of cars out of the way in Staveley and there were many abandoned cars along the main road A591. We parked at Staveley Mill Yard and started out heading for Mill Lane, the first road was tricky due to partial thaw and loose snow, even studded tyres move around in slush, Mill lane was better as it was firmer, but you had to ride smoothly. At the top we met a skier checking out conditions, then we headed up to Staveley head, but once we left some tractor tyre tracks behind and rode on virgin snow it was very hard work, i.e. walking up any slopes. We had a play going up and down the single track and down using gravity seems to be OK until you hit a soft snow filled hollow then you end up making a snow bike angel of sorts, we both had out fair share of these :). Back via HP woods again testing, by this time the snow was thawing, then back home. Worth a play to get the feel of wet snow, fun with the sun out but hard work. See photos for an idea of the day.

24th January 2013 - Lowick

3 Of us met up near the Red Lion, Lowick; Charlie, Jamie and CT. We headed west for a circuit of Tottlebank, although we kept to the southern bridleway for a change and headed out past Birch Bank, there was about 2-4" of snow and it was not all frozen, so some mud in places, over Long rig and re-join the bridleway near Giants Grabe over the fell road and down the fell to Fell Gate, this is normally a quick descent but a little different in snow and there were a few wipe-outs, luckily soft landings and apparently very funny for the person watching behind! Turn right at the lane and enjoy the cold downhill ride (plenty of wind-chill factor).
Now up past Spunham wood, past Green Moor and up the climb back up to High Kep then back to the fords and back via Tottlebank, past the farm trying not to disturb the sheep and back to the cars for a warm up. Hard work in places but rewarding finding the grip. No pub stop, next Thursday ride is from Hawkshead (park by school).

Sunday 20th January 2013 - Farleton - Lupton

View from Farleton

So a few of us set out on a bit of an explore, initially Neil, Jamie and CT set off from Milnthorpe with a view to check out some bridleways north west of Lupton and any others on the way. Grant was to join us later after rugby training. So we went via Farleton bridleway and enjoyed the route over to the Plough Inn, whilst waiting to meet Grant we headed north past Crabtree wood and then east through some snow and back to Lupton. Now with Grant we went back north and picked up the bridleway on the west side of Scout Hill and on past Cragmire plantation, here the route is straight and over snowy ground, tricky but entertaining as long as you keep eating food for fuel, it was cold and windy. At the end we continued along the lanes to get to the B6254 LK road and head up to Barkin House and onto the next bridleway, these are less used and not all easily signposted, also you need the OL7 and OL2 OS maps as the route goes over two maps. Anyway we headed further north east until mid-late afternoon when light was fading then we headed back via Lowther plantation (it's a bit muddy along the wood edge and we were even warned by a sign but still managed to follow the bridleway), go past Barden Energy at Fleet farm (it's on the bridleway) and back to the A65 where we dropped Grant back for his car and then we headed back over to Farleton via the bridleway up past Hollin Hall and onto Seaford Lane and then up a small hill to Farleton where we paused to eat the last of our food and then could enjoy our descent back down and homeward, we also pasted a gritter on the lanes and now know what it is like to be sandblasted! 

GPS data as follows:
Distance: 28.66 mi (Neils bike trip computer said 30+)
Time: 4:19:05 (riding time, we were out nearly 6 hours)
Avg Speed: 6.6 mph (interesting as the GPS stops if you are not riding fast enough and up hill in snow it cuts out!)
Elevation Gain: 3,842 ft
Calories: 1,756 C (not as much as last week! felt a lot more!!)
Avg Temperature: 31.5 °F (i.e. cold and very cold in the wind)

East of Farleton Fell

Checking just before descent

Above Old Town looking east

17th January 2013 - Barbon NOT ridden?

Apparently no one showed up, folk were either working, away, busy, too tired or injured....... tumble weed! So this week it's Lowick, park near the Red Lion.

Sunday 13th January 2013 - Windermere to Grizedale

So a few of us met up for a Sunday afternoon tootle into Grizedale, Jamie, Neil and CT (note that any weekend rides are not on the schedule but arranged ad-hoc). At around 1pm it started to sleet (it didn't look like it would settle). We managed to catch the 1.30pm ferry and headed south to Cunsey bridge then west along the permitted trail, left onto the road and south to Hazelseat and the timber joinery yard to start the bridleway climb just after the buildings keep right. 
At this point the snow was sticking on the ground and the climb was a real tester, mud, snow and trees. At the Low Dale Park Plantation there was a section being felled and the trail was cordoned off, but no sign of any alternative so we bashed through the felled trees which was tricky at times, but the odd ridable section helped then over the fire road and take a right turn, now it got interesting, i.e. mud, snow, rocks and tree roots so another interesting section with the odd dab;). At the road section a few yards then turn off the road and over the stream and more testing climbing, but worth the challenge to make you feel good when it works. Now heading to Satterthwaite and the last section has some rocks and we met 2 folk dog walking.
Down to Satterthwaite and a quick bite to eat, noting that our spds were getting clogged up with ice/snow and so sometimes difficult to clip into, hence many times bashing feet against anything to try and engage the pedals (just ask Jamie!). 
Now up Moor Lane and into Grizedale for some fire roads and then onto the North Face trail, here the fire roads were covered in snow and it was sticking well to the bikes, wheels, frames and the drizzle continued on. When we joined the NF trail we found that the board-walk had been replaced by rock garden, but as these were covered in snow they were slippery, will be interesting in dryer times to see how they compare. We battled on through the snow, saw a glimpse of a deer and some other tracks but it was very quiet and NO other MTBers. 
Now it was getting dark and turning into a night ride, this was OK for Neil and CT as we had lights, but someone else had forgotten theirs! So the descent into Hawkshead was interesting. Then we headed back by the road to catch the ferry, the roads being covered in snow the descent was not so fun. Back to Neils for a coffee and cake, cheers Sue :) Oh about 21.62 miles and back about 6pm (photos to follow....) 
Actual data from GPS: 
Distance:21.62 mi
Time:5:10:57, Moving time 3:19:25
Avg Speed:4.2 mph!!!! Avg Moving Speed:6.5 mph (must be those ferry times;) 
Max Speed:26.6 mph
Elevation Gain:2,657 ft
Calories:1,988 C
Avg Temperature:30.5 °F

Ferry ride home in the dark, (2 out of 3 lights ain't bad:)

Yes it's snowing and getting dark!

Light snow to start

Nice front wheel sticking with snow

10th January 2013 - Troutbeck

It was a little foggy on the way over, down to 20mph (car speed), so helmet mounted lights could be fun, Charlie, Neil, Grant, George, Jamie and CT met up in the lay-by near the church. So there were 6 of us, 3 on 29er and 3 on full sus'; the symmetry continued as 3 were wearing red tops and the others blue, so teamwork by default. Route was up Limefitt then on up Garburn, down to Dubbs, along the road, watch out for ice, right and down the last section of Garburn down to the road; on the last technical section JB tried to overtake CT (red top) but unfortunately it was Charlie who was caught in the jet-wash and knocked off course! (also in red top), no harm done must look out for colour blind MTBers ;) Down the foggy road in colour formation (not) down the grassy hill, watch out for the bomb hole (it's getting bigger) over the wooden bridges - very slippery - and up into Troubeck, then Robin lane and rest at the seat looking at the starry night sky. Tried to take a red/blue team photo on a phone camera in the dark = rubbish! Down the track and back to the cars, it was a tad cold. Next ride Barbon

3rd January 2013 - Staveley

Anybody have any New Years resolutions.....well 2 made it out, Grant and CT, it was misty more than rainy and foggy in places, but we did not actually need any Goretex:) Keeping to the west side of the valley, up Browfoot lane, in the mist this seemed a long way when I thought we were mostly there, we still had half way to go! Steady climb up then right along to 3 rivers, but then down to Kentmere Hall, back via Long houses. The tops were very foggy, the climb up past long houses was a test, the navigation to Staveley head area where we went right to HP was tricky in the fog and we know the way! Remember maps and compass when in doubt. HP was manageable still can't get the drop in right, at the bottom a few riders went past on the road, I am sure it was Heathers crew, I could hear her taking! back to the cars all before 9pm, the warm weather helped. Next ride Troutbeck

1st January 2013 - Nibthwaite

A nice little solo ride to celebrate the New Year, apparently other folk were either holidaying, hung over or looking for milk (we took ours out of the freezer). Nice weather for the start of the year, I headed up the east side of Coniston on the road (note the lake was very high, i.e. the water was up to the jetties with no beaches for kayaks) and the once past Brantwood turned right onto a bridleway at Bank Ground heading for Lawson Park, then up the climb to the fire road (cleaned it:)) a little rain here and along the fire road to head off for Parkamoor and down great hill to enjoy the descent to Ian's gaff where I enjoyed my first real coffee of the year, cheers Ian. During the ride I saw 3 roadies on the first stretch, one horse and rider in the forest, 2 guys on hardtails doing the descent and 3 motocross riders coming up the descent. Drove home for a cuppa tea and found that defrosted milk still has ice cubes in it and so tea gets very cold very quickly :( , hint pre-heat milk first, first lesson for 2013!
Enjoy 2013 and see you Thursday at Barley Bridge, Staveley.