Tuesday 29th August 2006 - Blackpool "Ride the Lights"

6 Intrepid riders made it to Blackpool on this late summer August evening to celebrate the Tour of Britain and the fact that the Blackpool promenade was to be closed to motorised vehicles between 8-10pm and the lights would be switched on early. We parked up near the south pier area (be aware of the parking attendant they were out in force) and got the bikes ready and decided to layer up due to the chilly wind off the coast. Jim hardly remembered how to ride a bike and Charlie dressed up like a Christmas tree.
So the first stop was a chip shop for a sit down fish and chip supper, a bit early for a RADS ride but it was a bit windy. After this we raced off down the road for 300 yards to the promenade, where we met the closed road signs and turned left to join the masses of leisure cycles. We had to adjust our normal style of riding to cope with the flat terrain and lots of folks on bikes, it was a sight to behold.
There were police bikes patrolling up and down and each road intersection was closed to cars, we made it safely down to the southern turn-a-round point and then found that we turned into a head wind, great resistance training, but Jims legs were not responding to his brain signals (nothing new there then, I hear you say... just kidding!!) so we were in for a battle against the wind as well as negotiating around all the other cyclists, kids on trikes, tow along bikes and all sorts. We even heard on the tanoy radio that a certain fast food joint were giving out free burgers to cyclists, but we never managed to check this out.
Once past the tower and the north pier we soon made it to the northern turning point, which was supposed to give a ride of about 4 miles, on the return journey there was less traffic (less children) and we were on the look out for Tour vehicles staying at the hotels, we found a load of team cars and some mechanics out cleaning bikes at 9.30pm, fair play. We also had to find a late night shop selling a stick of rock for Charlies sweet tooth! Then we had to head back and find where we parked the car! All in all a sucessfull nite and no rain.

24th August 2006 - Bouth, Oxen Park, Rusland

9 riders met at the White Hart, Bouth all ready to go...except someone forget their SPD's, never mind just ride carefully! Head off north (turning left out of the pub car park) and take the left fork at High Longmire to get to Oxen Park, a quick right and left (basically straight over) and continue along the lane until Bandrake head and take a lane to the right up a hill. This lane gets to a farm at Abbot Park and then goes off-road, take a right turn at Three Foot Oak and enjoy the downhill to the road at High Ickenthwaite, Ian, Jamie and Harry won that one.
Turn left along Corker Lane head down to the next junction and turn left at Force Forge, there is a bridleway on the left and take this little testing climb up and over, forming a shortcut to the road, then turn right and head back to Force Mills, Dave had lost his waterbottle and so had to go back over the bridleway and turn left to meet us at Force Mills (no luck finding the bottle!) At the junction turn south and take a bridleway on the left (virtually at the road junction) this takes you over Thwaite Moss to another enjoyable downhill where we meet 3 guys, 2 on Quad-bikes and one on a Honda 50, after we came down they headed up the rocks at speed!
Turn right and right again at the lane then at the road turn left for a few hundred metres, then take a lane on the right for a little road climb, where Phil enjoyed his singlespeed!!! this then gets you back at High Ickenthwaite to take the first bridleway on the left, where Ed (the camera man) went ahead to set up (we'll wait to see the pic's?) after the photo shoot there was a split in the group with Ian taking Neil, Dave and Ed on a detour, which went south west to take the Lord Ling bridleway route back to Oxen Park and then the road to Colton, turn left to the church and continue through the woods to come out west of Bouth. Meanwhile I headed on the track to meet up with the others and inform them of Ian's rough plans, so we headed back on track and lane to Oxen Park and then road back to the pub in time for chips...in fact Ian's crew also made in back for chips, so far play to the pub (even at £2.25 per portion).
All in all a very good route and Phil singlespeed even had a smile on his face, next week it's Cartmel racecourse ride at 6.15pm, but on Tuesday at Blackpool Prom' it's "Ride the Lights" in support of the Tour of Britain.

17th August 2006 - Grizedale, The North Face

8 riders met up at the Grizedale visitors centre, where it had just started to rain, so Gortex came out (for those who remembered to pack some...) and off we went to follow the North Face route, so up the track and test out those timber boardwalk sections! The trail was a little damp but it was not torrential rain and so the climbing was tricky but manageable, just ride carefully on the timber. We came to a halt about half way up the first climb section when John suffered a broken chain, being gallant John said we should push on and he and Fred would catch up if he could repair the chain successfully, so we set off...never to see them again! Now it was down to six.
Basically the trail goes east and north from the visitor centre through Grizedale and Monk Coniston Moor and reaches Moor Top for the last downhill section back to the cars, on the last section CT managed to ride the narrow log plank witnessed by Paul, on later dicussion on how to do this plank ride, "just don't think about it!!"
Next week meet at White Hart, Bouth 6.15pm

10th August 2006 - Ings to Garburn

11 turned out for the Garburn challenge, which way round...in the end we went anti-clockwise. Head up the lane to Grassgarth and the bridleway across Mickle Moss to the fords and down to Kentmere Hall, carry on past the church turning left to head UP Crabtree Brow and onto Garburn Pass. We all enthusiastically started riding up the lane and one by one ended up pushing at some point, we eventually reached Garburn Nook and sat down for a moment while Joel took some "on top of the Pass" photos (they may appear in the future) then we headed off for the downhill, Ian taking the lead! only to get his first puncture within a few hundred metres! after that we took off again for a while longer...then puncture number 2 for Ian.
We then took the first left to take us down Dubbs Road and head back along the Ings road to the cars and a pub stop.
Next week meet at Grizedale Visitors Centre for 6.15pm to take on the North Face Ride.

3 August 2006 - Askham - Loadpot Hill

We all met at the Askham outdoor swimming pool car park, well when I say all there were 4 (Grant, Fred, John, Joel)... we then consulted the map to determine the route and then we were off, and then Jamie arrived, and then five of us set off.

We followed the route out of Askham to Helton on the road, through Helton and then a second right on to the rough track towards Cockle Hill (again the map comes in handy).

En route we noticed a number of red markers had been set along our path and it was mentioned that it was considerate of Jim to have placed the markers for the hard of map reading.

At this point it was all up hill on the grassy hill that climbs up towards high street, luckily it was a warm and dry evening, and then someone mentioned the summit at 2200ft… we were currently a lot less than that and then someone’s chain broke (joel). Luckily, Jamie was on hand with some spare SRAM links and then we were off, err, well, we continued pushing to the top.

Although most of us cursed our way to the top, we were all impressed to see Jamie enjoy the ride and it was worth it for the view and the sunset.




There was also a photo opportunity at the summit before we prepared to descend!

The descent was worth it, all 2200ft of it!

We stopped off half way at the Lords Seat for another view over Ulswater, and then it was downhill for the final section, across the crossroads at Ketley Gate (ah, the map again) and the all downhill across Askham Fell.

It was too late for a pub stop when we got back to Askham around 9.30pm so we all set off home.

Next week, 10 August: Park at The Watermill at Ings 6.15, YES the earlier time of 6.15 for the ride up or down Garburn Pass (Brasher boots and map cases optional).

27th July 2006 - Elterwater - Hodge Close

It was a warm and dry evening as we met up at the National Trust car park in Elterwater. The last thing on our minds was a ride out as an alternative evening was already there in front of us, ‘The Britannia offers a sanctuary away from hectic daily life with ales and foods to satisfy all tastes’, ahhh… not my words, the Britannia’s (http://www.britinn.co.uk/).

Eventually 9 of us (Fred, John, George, Paul, Jamie, Grant, Ian, Neil and Joel) set off using Ian’s alternative route, riding towards Chapel Stile, past the camp site and then taking a right across the field towards Oak Howe, following the track to Baysbrow at the back of the campsite. (I’ve had to consult the map, it’s all new to me!)

Ian mentioned the Langdale slab, and we all stopped to play on the slab of rock around the bridleway that passes Spoutcrag Quarry before heading on towards Little Langdale and the ford, a few of us attempted the crossing, it was still a warm evening and in the barmy warm weather a few of us had more than wet feet in the attempt but we soon dried off.

At the ford we headed right which caused much discussion, this meant that a long climb was inevitable, and rather than this being the descent later on this was now the climb! We headed up past the climbing huts towards High Tilberthwaite, doubling back on the bridleway and turning off at the playground (hopping off the tree roots) and then on to High Oxen Fell or was it Low Oxen Fell? some of us missed the turning and we all regrouped at the entrance to Tongue Intake plantation for rollercoaster downhill fun and the last descent of the evening, another technical/puncture free evening and we all ended up in the Britannia for a well deserved drink, some of us even managed to get chips and Jamie managed to obtain soup of the day.

Next week: meet at 6.30, Askham: Swimming pool car pk, behind Queen's Head for Loadpot Hill and long descent from High Street.

20th July 2006 - Torver - Walna Scar

Six turned out for the ride over Walna Scar, everyone was relieved to see Jim for his assistance with directions and his van for the return leg of the journey. We set off through the forest and on advice chose the fire road rather than the technical climb from Stephenson Ground. With little rain it was almost dry across the boggy section described on the map as Yaud Mire! At this point it almost starts to flatten off, but as we rode past the disused quarries and rounded the corner the rest of the climb unfolded in front of us, Walna Scar road stretched ahead into the clouds.
Rod took it in his stride to push to the top and offered a commentary as his did so, while some of us enthusiastically attempted the climb. We all regrouped at the top of the climb to admire the view, probably one of the best on a RADs ride.Then there's the descent which is probably one of most challenging, frightening, and longest of the Lakes rides but worth all the previous pushing and climbing. We all passed the place that George did his flying impression last year without incident, and I do recall crossing myself at this point after the scary descent of Walna (some kindly said I was floating, but I just recall a total lack of control!!). We finally dropped down to the road in Torver without a single puncture (a relief after last weeks 9 puncture record!), and luckily Jim 'van man' was there to ferry us back up Hummer Lane and then it was off to the pub in Torver for a cool beer...Next week Elterwater

13th July 2006 - Hawshead - Claiffe

10 riders ventured out, some travelling by train and automobile just to get out to ride, it was the 13th but not a Friday, so we set out. Head to Colthouse and take Scar House Lane for a little bit of overgrown off road, then go up the road to Outgate to turn right down Spicka Coppice, known as 'snake bite alley'! We had our first THREE punctures, Rod even got his patches and glue out which gave Jamie a laugh... we ride on to find Harry also had a flat FOUR (that's Paul's trick, wait by the gate and then find a puncture). We then made about 300m to the other end of the tarn and Jamie made it FIVE, now we were nervous. We then set off again and got to the lane ,BUT one more made it SIX!
We made it past High Wray and to base camp headed up the fire road to the guide posts, where the first 4 riders turned right and head on, the others regrouped at the guide posts thinking we had more time for at least some off-road, if not the whole of Claiffe, so I phoned Jamie and the 4 came back, but Rod & co set off for an alternative route (thinking they may get a pub in!). The 8 remaining took the left route from the posts down the rocky descent to the bottom where Jamie had No. SEVEN, we then climbed up the tester, right at the top and back to the guide posts, then left and head back to Hawkshead down the rocky route.
We bombed down the hill enjoying a little too much and I had No. EIGHT, then at the bottom we found Harry mending No. NINE, and I was running out of fingers to count the snake bites. A quick blast back to the cars and meet up with Rod, who luckily had not had any more flats! A few beers helped restore calm, must pump those tyres up for next week!
Next week its Torver (possibly with the van shuttle).

6th July 2006 - Sedbergh to Dent ride

7 riders met up in the free car park in Sedbergh, all willing to ride to Dent down a beer, maybe some chips and take the scenic route back over Frostrow Fells. So it went something like this...head south on the Dales Way route over the River Rawthey take the first left turn into Millthrop and then a quick right hand turn (which we missed first time round!) but Fred had gone on ahead and found the turn no problem.
Head out on the bridleway, through Gap Wood and down past Gate Manor, cross over the road and head down to the ford, choose the beck crossing or the bridge (built in 1999, so before that we all got wet feet!) we chose the bridge. Head on up the lane following the Dales Way route east to Gawthrop turn right and head UP a steep road climb for about 1 mile, then take the left hand bridleway, its a green lane along South Lord's Land, after another mile of stony track, turn left for an enjoyable rocky descent down into Dent. Check your tyre pressure, 'cause Paul had another flat on the way down and everyone said 'it's basically rideable now!'
We nipped into the Sun Inn for a few chips, soup and some beer, Fred set off early again to get a head start, saying he knew the way. We set off a few minutes later and went round the back of Dent to take the back lanes to Barth Bridge take this lane up Hining Hill go left past the cottage and through some gates between some stone walls, follow these stone walls, its basically an old track up to the moor top, beware of some boggy bits!
At the top, we were sheltering from some heavy mist (that's rain to somefolk) and turned left along the wall,you then have to make your way feeling for the bridleway route and by this point we had not caught Fred up or he had not caught us up! We pressed on thinking that he had missed the turn and headed back on the road. You basically follow the bridleway by taking a north west direction to get to Side farm, High Hollins, it may have been easier to navigate in better daylight... back down the lanes, turn left through Millthrop and back to the cars, but no Fred, was he down the pub? John had no spare keys so eventually Paul set off down the road looking for Fred, after a while Jamie volunteered to drive back to the bridleway route, at this point Fred turned up, asking where we had got to? He had in fact taken the bridleway route and enjoyed the ride!
Next week its meet at Hawkshead for a ride round Claiffe.

29th June 2006 - Grizedale bridleways

9 riders started from a lay-by 300m south of Satterthwaite at the bottom of Moor Lane bridleway, which would be the last route back. We set off throught Satterthwaite village and onto the steep testing track up Breasty Haw, on through the forrest to enjoy a great technical downhill to come out at the lane. We then went approx 300m up the road to take the bridleway on the left up into the forrest, more testing track, then a right hand turn onto a fire road, some single track, a broken chain (Jamie on a hard tail 'cause the susser had broken, what next!) then a right heading for the 'Fox' then right and onto Moor Top car park, where we were going to head down the North face route to the visitor centre. At this point there were mutterings about midges and have we got time for chips, so we headed down the trails by Hall Wood to meet up with Moor Lane and a final descent to the cars.
Next week meet at Sedburgh centre car park, for possibly a Dent ride out.

22nd June 2006 - Ribblehead to Hawes

7 riders ventured out to meet at a grid reference, approx one mile east of Ribblehead. This day was the longest day (nearly) for a Thursday nite ride and last year the Horton in Ribblesdale ride had been in glorious sunshine, but alas this nite 'was blowing a small gale so we were hoping to find shelter behind stone walls. Any body who read the email tennis was packing food in all pockets, no cornflakes but some fresh fruit.
We headed off east down the Dales Way, the old roman road and took the bridge over the stream thinking we'd save the water splash for the return leg (except Jamie who just rode it 'cause it was only ankle deep, for him) and onward up the hill to seemingly endless false summits, we pass some motorbikes heading down to Horton and one bike had a puncture rear type and was very unsteady but had to carry on. The route was steady but there were a few muddy puddles from the latest rain and our drivechains were getting muddy and giving a few problems (for some) we reached the high point at the Cam High road and then turned left to follow the West Cam Road heading to Hawes, but don't forget to take the right fork at the junction with the Cam Road, which was to be our return route. Some folks asked if we were half way yet...No.
After a while we eventually reached some downhill and I checked my brake pads 'cause the mud was eating them alive, still a very enjoyable grassy downhill towards Hawes, take a left turn alone a lane to High Bands and bands Lane and then left again to the Cam Road. This involves some steady climbing up a rocky track past a forrestry plantation until we met up with the West Cam Road again. John had the misfortune to puncture on this leg, but it was soon fixed. Probably half way now or at least we were on the return leg!
Daylight was starting to fail ('cause it was a little cloudy!) so we pushed on and met the Cam High road and set off on the long downhill back to the start, we regrouped at the bridleway fork with the Horton route and then continued down the fun descent, although it was a little tricky in the dark! We made it back to the beck crossing and Jamie waited by the lower gate (and was eaten alive by midges, well done!) We headed for the cars, Jim & Paul took their time and we eventually went back to see what was up and you guessed it Paul had a puncture.
So all in all if we would have had a sunny evening, no punctures, no chit chat, no gossip then maybe, just maybe we would have made it back in daylight!!! Some say it was a classic of its own, some say it was an epic, perhaps this was a classic epic.
Next week its Grisedale, meet Moor Lane car park, 400m S of Satterthwaite (337920).

15th June 2006 - Ullswater ride

8 riders turned up at the car park in Hartsop, listening to the England match on the radio whilst getting ready we heard the first Crouch goal - taking "just in time" to the limit!!
We set off north along the bridleway to take the anti-clockwise route, so the very steep warm up heading up to Boredale Hause, then across the top and the rocky testing descent into Boredale valley. Harry enjoyed himself on the down hill and ended up with a flat! We cycled along the lane heading for Sandwick beck and turned left at the Ullswater shore to come along the lake side. There is plenty of opportunity to test yourself against the rocky route, including the odd boulder challenge (cheers Jamie, you can just roll right over it!!!) also there is a section like a staircase, where Harry nearly came a cropper at the bottom but luckily landed on George so all was well!
Carry on round Silver Bay, past the Devil's Chimney and navigate past Rooking along some tracks used by sheep! to get back to the downhill section halfway down from the Boredale Hause and enjoy the last blast home to the cars...then it was just the fight with the midges to get into the cars before being eaten alive!
Next week we're in Yorkshire, doing part of the Cam High Road, (take the A65 to Ingleton, turn left on the B6255 heading for Hawse, go past Ribblehead viaduct for about one mile, park by the road side)

8th June 2006 - Broughton Mills

The ride commenced at approx 6.40pm from the Blacksmiths Arms, Broughton Mills the weather was superb but unfortunately only four riders turned out. They were Paul, George ,Jamie and Ian who led the ride. We set off down the lane from the pub but we were soon met with a very steep climb as we headed towards Great Stickle gaining almost 1000ft within the first mile!! This meant that even Jamie had to get off and push. The single track down hill to the Ulpha road was a just reward. We then followed the Upha road and turned right just before the bridge where we disputed the bridle path direction with a young local. Here we headed towards Stickle Pike more pushing. The views on this lovely summers evening were superb once over Stickle Pike we covered some excellent single track with tricky down hill sections until we reached Jackson ground. We then proceeded along the track to Stephenson Ground where we joined the road back to Broughton Mills at around 9.20pm.
Sounds great, thanks to GT for the on the spot reporting. CU next week at the Ullswater ride, meet in Hartsop village car park (drive through the village).

1st June 2005 - Keswick, Latrigg Threlkeld ride

A great summers evening ride started with 4 riders meeting behind the Keswick pencil factory, Ian decided to ride along the old railway and meet us at the shelter near Brundholme. So 3 of us set off from Briar Rigg up the Cumbria Way route UP hill to the car park at Latrigg, we then kept right and enjoyed a fast decent into Brundholme to meet Ian. Then enjoy a very tranquil ride along the old railway east to Threlkeld, then turn left and head up past the lane to the Blencathra centre, where we met Trevor and Harry riding in the opposite direction!! they had started from the main car park and riden clockwise, so we said we would meet back at Keswick for chips later.
We headed on up and upon joining the off road bridleway met a head wind but carried on up the right hand side of the valley, under Blease Fell to drop down at the end of the valley to meet the Cumbria Way and head back down the other side of the valley at higher level under Lonscale Fell. On the way down the valley Ian had the misfortune to break a seat clamp bolt, but this has happened before and Ian carries a spare bolt! We climbed up the valley passing 2 other mountain bikers and headed back along Lonscale craggs being tested along the rocky route, mindfull of the drop off to the left hand side, "Don't look down!"
Remember to take in the great views, while the sun is setting and making shadows of the mountains, we also got views of "Castle Rock" at the end of the valley toward High Rigg. While negociating the rocky section Ian fell over and appeared to be heading over the edge, but some soft mud saved the day. We then rounded the corner and met up with a large group of mountain rescue members out of a training exercise, carrying stretchers down the hillside!
We shot down the last hill, through the ford and back to the top car park to enjoy the downhill ride back to Briar Rigg, great fun in the setting sunshine.
Back to Keswick for chips in the village centre, 9.30pm and it was just like summer early evening with loads of folks walking round the plaza.
Next week Ian's route from Blacksmiths' Arms, Broughton Mills

25th May 2006 - Kentmere Longsleddale

13 + 1 riders turned out (Joel was the +1 and he caught up just before the drop into Longsleddale). Start from Barley Bridge and head up Hall Lane to Staveley Head Fell and tee off right over the tops to enjoy the rocky descent into Longsleddale. Then run along the bridleway to the side of the river Sprint, join the lane and head to Sadgill Wood for a hill climb up to the gate, where we all paued for breath and some birthday cake, Jim had baked again with more icing! A quick rendition of Happy Birthday for Jim and then off for a testing climb up the rocky route; well done Jamie, and on and over to High Lane, Kentmere. Then a right and left turn to Low Lane and a quick chain gang race ride (for some) back down the lane to the cars and some beers.
Next week Keswick, meet by pencil factory industrial units for a ride near Skiddaw.

18th May 2006 - Lowick

This ride commenced from the Red Lion at Lowick Bridge and George, Simon, Jim, Joel, Grant, John and Ian left in fine but cold weather at just after 6.40pm a prompt start for a 6.30pm tee-off.
After the second off road section we were joined by Jamie who had carried on along the road to catch us up. The conditions were reasonably good although most of us were wearing winter clothing and complaining about how cold it was. It was certainly a good choice bringing this ride forward on the ride calendar as the downhill single track which is normally covered in bracken was superb. Unfortunately Ian managed a pinch puncture on the way down.
On the last section where we turn off on to a boggy track before crossing the stream Ian took us on an interesting detour which added an additional steep climb but the reward was 2 excellent steep desents which almost caused a couple of spills.
We unfortunately encountered heavy rain for the final off road stretch to Blawith before joining the main road back to the Red Lion to late for chips but an excellent ride.
Thanks to our correspondant George for bringing you this blog.
Next week 25th May the ride is at Staveley, meet at Barley Bridge and over to Longsleddale.

11th May 2006 - Elterwater

A good turn out of 10, eventually...the first group of 8 set off, leaving instructions with me to meet up at the 'playground', once Joel turned up....which he did and we subsequently all met up.
The route plan plan was something like this...set off from the pub car park along the road towards Coniston, up through the woods, down the road, sharpleft along track to Hodge Close, left up the tricky (ish) climb, right through gate and along the edge of the big quarry including Paul's rootystep! right through the gate and passed the end of the quarry, over the road, down through the working quarries, around the flat bit, sharp left and down the 'rattly' track, over the slate slab bridge, up the rise to mess around on the humps and bumps by the corner (=the playgound), left along main track to Tilberthwaite farm, hard right for the push up the rocky track, along and then down through the gate, sharp right, ford, gate and descent passed Yorkshire CC climbing hut, up into Cathedral Cavern, back out, along to ford, over bridge, up to road in Little Langdale, left up road for 200 yards, right along corporation water works road to gate, down rocky track and then tarmac to Elterwater.
What actually happened was that 3 riders took off early as they smelt chips and did not wait for cake...then at the ford 4 other riders took off to enjoy the NT downhill section (now that it's cleared of trees) and it's great!
Then we all met up at the pub for chips, crisps and a drink, Ian's lad even made it for a late fish & chip supper!
Next week: Red Lion, Lowick (park along side of lane) 6.30pm

4th May 2006 - Winster

Short blog, as I had to miss this one, but heard of a good turn out, with a few more 'summer' riders. The ride starts by parking near the Church and riding around the block, no details as yet, just to say that Grant did not make it but Joel made it to the pub after!
Next week its Elterwater, cu there.

27th April 2006 - Troutbeck

We met at the lay-by by the river and Church Bridge, 9 riders in all turned up for a rocky "Hardtail Heaven" ride. Firstly we set off south down the road to take the lane heading to Ings called Moorhouse Road and then left onto the Dubbs Road bridleway. Once past the reservoir head up to meet the junction with Garburn road track and take the left turn to enjoy the rocky downhill all the way to the road, then go left along the A592 for about 500m to find a bridleway on the right hand side, cross the Trout Beck and up to the lane. Take the route right to the village post office and left up Robin Lane, at this point John left us to head home early as a wheel rim had decided to split!
Continue up Robin lane to the seat and take the left route down to the lane, then right for 100m on the road before heading left down Wain Lane, for rocks and a water crossing before 150m of the main road then right up Mirk Lane and test those legs up the hill!!! At the top head along the lane back into Troutbeck and take the second bridleway after the post office down to the church and back to the cars....where Joel was waiting, this time deciding not to meet us half way round! but just to come to the pub.
Next week it's Winster, meet near the church 6.15pm.

20th April 2006 - Ings

8 riders set off from Ings for the circuit up to Grassgarth over Mickle Moss, right down Meadowplatts plantation , 2 water splashes, on to the road and then left along the Kentmere road to Long Houses and take the test up towards Staveley Head, but take the right turn at the crossroads (by the disused lead mines) and enjoy the descent through HP plantation....where we met up with Ian & Joel riding the alternative route (coming out for half a ride!!!).
Back down the road to Ullthwaite bridge and the little test climb at Browfoot, back via the heights and Ian's lane (ask him about the bent wheel!) then complete the last section of bridgeway and negociate the red Golf!
Back to the Watermill for a drink to round of the evening, where we met Lois and friends.
Next week at Troutbeck.