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Well what a day. Stunning weather, stunning views, stunning bikes and some stunning trails. You get the idea it was stunning!
After last weeks cancellation, thanks to the British weather, attendance was limited to 4 riders. Drystonepaul (Paul), Mr Ship (Richard), Cleggy (Ben) and myself, 3 quaters of us riding retro to boot. Here are the retro bikes that participated:
Mr Ships' Nuke Proof Titanium
Drystonepauls' GT Bravado
Sinnett177s' Team Raleigh Dyna Tech
The weather was cold but we soon warmed up on route to the top of the Fell. A steady climb that got the blood pumping and DSP's inhaler blowing. It was well worth the climbing though as the scenery was breath taking, visability was as clear as i've seen it on the fell and the snow topped Lake District shone on the horizon.
Soon the pinnacle was reached and a well earned breather saw late arrival and retrobike newbie Cleggy (Ben) join the ride aboard his modern Orange.
So when your at the top there is only one way to go and so the descent began down a confidence boosting grassy singletrack descent. This joins onto a rocky and slimey in places decent through thorn bushes right down to the base of the fell. A long old descent but smiles all round as we reached the country lane at the bottom.
Cleggy leads the way.
DSP showing the necessary Bravado.
Richard pilots the ship shape Nuke Proof on its maiden voyage.
The route then took us on a leisurely spin around the country lanes of the valley. These would eventually bring us out at the beautiful town of Kirby Lonsdale for a spot of lunch. On route though DSP failed to find a line through the hedge cuttings that a local farmer had kindy left us, resulting in puncture and a short delay.
Drystonepuncture.
Back on the road and the scenery was a constant distraction, but soon we reached Kirby Lonsdale for lunch.
Cleggy and DSP lead the way.
Welcome distraction.
Lunch was spent by the fire at a local eatery in Kirby Lonsdale. Paul locked up the bikes in the rear courtyard and after a quick realisation of the bitter cold we moved inside. Note to all: Paul knows his coffee! The look on the poor waiters face as Paul grilled him on the blend of beans supplied was priceless. So after a light lunch and a warm by the fire we hit the lanes back to Farleton, this time taking a less strenuous route via Tosca under the direction of local boy Ben. Not sure what Richard had for lunch, but his chain wasn't too happy as it snapped as he powered into Tosca. A few tools and a Sram power link later and we were ready to continue.
Power linked.
Onwards we went, we said goodbye to Ben as we passed by his village and soon we had reached the Ford at the base of Farleton. With the high water level and freezing temperature we all braved the elements and rode through (like f*ck we did, we took the slippy bridge instead)! On the other side DSP had a play in the water (once a kid always a kid), he kept it on 2 wheels and stayed dry too, which was fortunate as I had the camera out at the time.
Not this call-sign!
Wetstonepaul.
Realisation soon creaped in though, I'd left my Camelbak containing my keys, tools and money at the site of the chain breakage! Too far to go back, i'd later drive back to find it sitting just where i'd left it
After a minor navigation blunder by the otherwise flawless guide, we crossed a mud field to sample how bad last weeks ride could have been. Soon though we were back on track and ready to climb the fell once more. The view once more a distraction.
View back to where we had come from.
A difficult climb was next on the agenda. This is a climb that at the best of times is challenging, but with a soft surface our tyres soon clogged with a short push resulting. Before long we were riding again and heading upto the trig point once more.
Richard completes the days climbing, its all downhill from here!
Climbing for the day done it was time to enjoy the fruits of our labours. The old National DH course! This is where the pictures stop, but I wish i'd had the camera ready at the bottom as smiles beamed from Richard and Paul.
A great day out, lots of banter and great riding, a proper retrobike meet. Thank you to Paul, Richard and Ben for joining in, hope to see you all again soon for more of the same.
Cheers, Mark.
After last weeks cancellation, thanks to the British weather, attendance was limited to 4 riders. Drystonepaul (Paul), Mr Ship (Richard), Cleggy (Ben) and myself, 3 quaters of us riding retro to boot. Here are the retro bikes that participated:
Mr Ships' Nuke Proof Titanium
Drystonepauls' GT Bravado
Sinnett177s' Team Raleigh Dyna Tech
The weather was cold but we soon warmed up on route to the top of the Fell. A steady climb that got the blood pumping and DSP's inhaler blowing. It was well worth the climbing though as the scenery was breath taking, visability was as clear as i've seen it on the fell and the snow topped Lake District shone on the horizon.
Soon the pinnacle was reached and a well earned breather saw late arrival and retrobike newbie Cleggy (Ben) join the ride aboard his modern Orange.
So when your at the top there is only one way to go and so the descent began down a confidence boosting grassy singletrack descent. This joins onto a rocky and slimey in places decent through thorn bushes right down to the base of the fell. A long old descent but smiles all round as we reached the country lane at the bottom.
Cleggy leads the way.
DSP showing the necessary Bravado.
Richard pilots the ship shape Nuke Proof on its maiden voyage.
The route then took us on a leisurely spin around the country lanes of the valley. These would eventually bring us out at the beautiful town of Kirby Lonsdale for a spot of lunch. On route though DSP failed to find a line through the hedge cuttings that a local farmer had kindy left us, resulting in puncture and a short delay.
Drystonepuncture.
Back on the road and the scenery was a constant distraction, but soon we reached Kirby Lonsdale for lunch.
Cleggy and DSP lead the way.
Welcome distraction.
Lunch was spent by the fire at a local eatery in Kirby Lonsdale. Paul locked up the bikes in the rear courtyard and after a quick realisation of the bitter cold we moved inside. Note to all: Paul knows his coffee! The look on the poor waiters face as Paul grilled him on the blend of beans supplied was priceless. So after a light lunch and a warm by the fire we hit the lanes back to Farleton, this time taking a less strenuous route via Tosca under the direction of local boy Ben. Not sure what Richard had for lunch, but his chain wasn't too happy as it snapped as he powered into Tosca. A few tools and a Sram power link later and we were ready to continue.
Power linked.
Onwards we went, we said goodbye to Ben as we passed by his village and soon we had reached the Ford at the base of Farleton. With the high water level and freezing temperature we all braved the elements and rode through (like f*ck we did, we took the slippy bridge instead)! On the other side DSP had a play in the water (once a kid always a kid), he kept it on 2 wheels and stayed dry too, which was fortunate as I had the camera out at the time.
Not this call-sign!
Wetstonepaul.
Realisation soon creaped in though, I'd left my Camelbak containing my keys, tools and money at the site of the chain breakage! Too far to go back, i'd later drive back to find it sitting just where i'd left it
After a minor navigation blunder by the otherwise flawless guide, we crossed a mud field to sample how bad last weeks ride could have been. Soon though we were back on track and ready to climb the fell once more. The view once more a distraction.
View back to where we had come from.
A difficult climb was next on the agenda. This is a climb that at the best of times is challenging, but with a soft surface our tyres soon clogged with a short push resulting. Before long we were riding again and heading upto the trig point once more.
Richard completes the days climbing, its all downhill from here!
Climbing for the day done it was time to enjoy the fruits of our labours. The old National DH course! This is where the pictures stop, but I wish i'd had the camera ready at the bottom as smiles beamed from Richard and Paul.
A great day out, lots of banter and great riding, a proper retrobike meet. Thank you to Paul, Richard and Ben for joining in, hope to see you all again soon for more of the same.
Cheers, Mark.
