December 2011

29-12-11 - Nan Bield Pass - 3.82 Miles

The lakes ride this was to be the first epic all mountain adventure, a real test for bike and rider. Unsure whether to go or not due to the weather forecast I left the decision up to Matt Wilde, a go was his response so we all turned up at a wet and cold Haweswater Reservoir car park.

First impressions were, we cant be climbing that. Matt had suggested the route and I had drawn it out on an OS map but not really taken the time to look at the ascents. The initial climb up the Nan Bield Pass was going to be a bike a hike no question.

We set off and the first few hundred yards were ridable before it became a heart pounding climb with the bikes. Eventually we arrived at a mid point plateau and had chance to ride a section around Small Water. Problems soon arose as Gareth seemed unable to peddle, his free hub had given up. Now was it back to the cars after only travelling a mile or did we continue with the climb and take the ridge around to the Gatesgarth Pass descent with Gareth using the wind to blow him from east to west.

We decided to continue so struggled to the top with the bikes where we were met by a 60mph gusting wind, did we continue? We tried especially after talking to a walker who said it would be OK but eventually sensible heads kicked in and we decided to go back the way we came, instead of risking getting blown off the mountain.

The descent meant carrying the bikes down quite a lot but the bits that were ridable were second to none, fantastic, rocky, narrow pathways and several steep grassy slopes. Everyone fell off at some time or another and Phil Wardman almost ended up in the lake when a severe gust of wind caught him halfway through his stream crossing.

3.82 miles was our total distance covered but still a fantastically epic day and a route we will return to and complete in better weather without any technical problems, so no oiling up your free hub to oblivion Gareth. Not a route for anyone nervous of heights, ledges or rocks.

Simon Richmond

11-12-11 - Gisburn Forest - 14.63 Miles

Pretty much the final ride of the year and now the Hope line is complete it would of been rude not to revisit Gisburn. Another miserable day but as soon as we hit the trail and more importantly the Hope line smiles arrived. Still a little rough around the edges but the new Hope line promises a lot.

It was a good peddle round the rest of the route with Matt Wilde catching us up, Big Bird had more than his fair share of off’s on this ride including getting caught in the middle of the stream crossing which was more of a raging torrent. Also worth noting that Matt thought jumping across would be a good idea, not today mate.

The dark side of the route was even darker than normal with a set of lights really being needed but this made the ride through the trees even better and more technical.

Matt took us to a larger Worry Gill part of an old downhill line, and credit to him took it on even though the bottom was wet and muddy. Hero of the day for sure. Another new section was due to open today but unfortunately not quite finished when we passed, if we had been hero's we would of got off and helped but now we can save it for our next trip instead.

Simon Richmond