Lakes Weekend

Saturday morning arrived and for once the forecasters had got it right. Rain and wind were coming in from the west and we were off to the Lakes Hhhhmmm. Rob arrived and after packing ALL his bags into the car we set off with the mighty Bucks Fizz rocking the stereo for the 66.

Arriving at Aira Force CP on Ullswater we met Alistair, Dave, Paul, Nicola and Peter with two bikes! "Where's Helen ?" I asked. "Forgot her this morning, but she'll be here tonight and by the way see that parking attendant - yeah you mate - he's all right." Starting the ride in pouring rain with the usual climb we headed to Dockray where we turned west and up.

Alistair's superb navigation soon got us along the Old Coach Road and up to the summit of Great Dodd. By this time it had ceased raining and blue skies were visible over Keswick and High Street.

After a regrouping we headed down the bridleway (or was it stream) to Watsons Dodd and then up again to Stybarrow Dodd where the first decent downhill awaited. Our descent to Sticks Pass greatly amused the strange people in red socks (ramblers or something like that) who thought we were stupid even to attempt such a feat.

A ten minute ride and scramble up to Raise completed the ascending for the day and all that was left was a 6km jaunt to Glenridding via a 740 metre descent. Racing off the top we all vied for the prime position ie ahead of Dave "the Brake" Neesam but somehow he arrived at the switchbacks first. I think he had been having private lessons from Peter in the art of "Negative Steering" which is hey call Peter up and arrange your own lesson. Well worth the money.

Twenty minutes after leaving the top we arrived at the Youth Hostel and were all in agreement that it had been one of the best downhill any of us had done. Plenty of switchbacks, loose rocks, drainage channels to bunny hop and long straight sections where we raced along at over 30mph.

The pub at Glenridding awaited and all that we had to do was safely ride along the nice track without incident. Yeah right! 101 Dalmations will be rewritten as 100 Dalmations and someone will have to rebuild their fence after Rob demolished it with his head after leaving his bike at 30mph.

After a deserved pint we cruised along Ullswater to the car park and its merry little attendant.

At Keswick we met Helen and after a good deal of scrubbing up we all looked presentable enough to hit the bright lights and party.

Sunday morning dawned with yet more rain but after a breakfast of cereal, yoghurt, fruit, bacon, sausage, eggs, mushrooms, tomatoes, beans, black pudding, hash browns, haggis, fried bread, toast and tea we felt that another ride was in order.

Braving the torrential rain we set off from Rydal on a 17 mile rollercoaster ride around Langdale and Loughrigg. The rain had turned all the tracks to rivers which made the going hard and interesting therefore an early pub stop was arranged in Little Langdale. Up and over to Elterwater via the slate mine and all that was left was a late afternoon blast down Loughrigg Terrace. Grasmere was glowing in the late afternoon sun and nobody was in sight for the descent - thank you lord!. After riding the drop offs and bends we diverted through Rydal Water for 50m to wash the bikes and returned to the cars very wet but happy.

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	Swaledale Outdoor Club

Lakes Weekend

Kev