Swaledale Outdoor Club

> Home > Newsletter > Mountain Biking > The Baker's Dozen

The Baker's Dozen

In search of curry and ice cream

Just remind me not to be so ambitious next time - leading my first mountain bike ride I decide to do a whole weekend in the Lakes - not a great idea when I can hardly navigate my way out of a paper bag!

However, the weekend of 20/21st March arrived and I had managed to get 13 in total to come to the Lakes for a mini adventure - 2 of the gang were natives from the South Lakes and hence no help on the routes as we were in the North!

Being my first ride I wanted to be prepared - but as I never made it to the girl guides I should have known my plans might fall apart! On 2 previous weekends I had gone to the Lakes to reccy a route but after biking over 40 miles (and pushed/carried for who knows how many miles) I decided that both routes were unsuitable. So with no time left I followed the advice of a friend and opted for a route around Skiddaw - with all the suggested variations.

So on the morning of the 20th we all met at Threlkeld. I was armed with scones as additional bribery - we had opted for a late start to allow for Steve's planned hangover only to find he was first to arrive and well prepared for a 30 plus mile ride i.e. no food and limited tool kit.

The route can apparently be done in just over 4 hours but we would need additional time for a large group - even if it took over 4 hours we should get back in daylight!

We had a slow start as Rosie decided to sabotage the bike Dave had lent her and snapped the chain. But by 12.30ish we were well on our way to Skiddaw House. From here we picked up the Cumbria Way down to Mosedale, up to Calebreck, then through the mine workings to come out at Fell Side.

A few more tracks and some road got us to Peter House Farm and then the hard bit climbing back up to Skiddaw House.

The route back from Skiddaw was via Lonscale Fell and Latrigg to bring us out in Keswick. That just left a gentle amble along the disused railway back to Threlkeld but not until we had another bike casualty from Dave. He decided to sabotage his own bike this time and borrowed Nicky's to get him back to the car.

We managed to clock up 36 miles in just under 7 hours but all seemed happy.

Back to Seymour House for shower and change and then we hit the high life of Keswick - that involved a rapid pint or two followed by a quick chip stop to soak up the beer, more beer then a curry!

After the meal some of the group decided to retire and some went in search of discos and sticky dancing. Shocked at the price of the night club (£7!!) we decided to try and return to the curry house and see if they would serve more drinks. We were not disappointed; Rob was highly delighted. He had left nearly a full pint when we left the curry house and went straight to it - sat on the bar waiting to be poured down the sink, so Rob rescued it and carried on as if he had never been away!

The excitement carried on as we witnessed 3 people do a runner - after that we all decided to retire.

Sunday was somewhat more relaxed and even less well prepared. One of my friends from the Lakes took us on a little adventure and it also rained - made somewhat different terrain from the Saturday. Len decided to take to his walking boots instead and left us to the mud!

After an interesting morning and a lunch stop at the Lakeland Pedlar we decided to really exert ourselves with a flat road ride around Derwent Water - just don't tell the roadies - they'll think we're getting soft! This exertion was rewarded by a rather good ice cream stop then it was back to Keswick to meet up with Rosie, sing Happy Birthday to Pete and eat Chocolate Cake!

After that we all packed up and went home - a good time was had by all - thanks for coming.

Highlights:

Best conversation - as there was no Nigel we had no one to lead us on a technical discussion so Nicky and Rob led the way - the conversation about Hamilton and Arcadia takes some beating (even better than the Archers). Hamilton is about 13 and Arcadia will soon be 8 - hopefully there will be a party and the 2 might get together - but they won't have much to say to each other - they're goldfish!

Best Crash - it's a difficult one to call - was it Steve's bog dive coming down from Skiddaw - still massively under the influence of alcohol and no way in control of his bike. Or perhaps Ed on Sunday - trying to keep up with our leader when it all went horribly wrong at speed -Ed's bike stopped and he didn't. He did get on his feet quickly though and started walking in circles - that well known cure for all ailments!

Judith

Last Modified: 7 May, 2003