Gungho Chicken hits the trails

You'll be glad to know that the outside tap is finally fixed, which means that I can mountain bike again! This may not make sense to all, but as I explained to Kev, with no outside tap I can't clean the bike, so there was no point. I used this excuse for a while and have enjoyed some great climbing because of it.

Wait for me.....

Quiet walled lane 

So as stated the tap is fixed, and we headed out on the bikes today with Rachael. We did a hilly route around Kirkby Lonsdale and Brownthwaite Fell. Its a great route with one big hill in the middle! Its a varied ride with some interesting sections such as a long walled track that has Andy Goldsworthy art installations along its length (big stones surrounded by dry stone walls - tis art!).

Rachael having a little walk with her bike..

Views over the Lune valley and beyond

I also took the opportunity to take out my new camera complete with zoom lens. It was fun to play with and I'm really pleased with the results. How did I manage without a zoom lens before now I ponder!?

Part way round the loop Abi shouted 'I'm gungho chicken, coming through' as she sped past us. She certainly demonstrated both of these very different attributes on today's ride. Hence forth this shall be her name.....

Beautiful ancient ash tree

speedy

even speedier....

Nearly ended up in Austria.....

We decided to get an early start and head to the Roaches, well Hen Cloud actually.... Whilst waiting for Shaw et al, I saw another car full of climbing gear and people at the prearranged meeting spot. I presumed it was someone else who wanted to come to the Roaches so went to 'have a word'. The climbing gentleman in question didn't want to come to the Roaches, and was actually going to Austria and expecting to meet someone also. I declined his offer of a trip to Austria, because, well I was a little under prepared, and as far as I know they don't have gritstone in Austria!

Nearly made it on this attempt

Why oh why can't I get to the top....

We headed South, pushing through the cryptosporidium zone without incident and risking a coffee stop (risky strategy!). The Roaches looked splendiferous as we parked directly under a very green looking Hen Cloud. We decided to head over to the main Roaches area and started by playing around on the boulders where Shaw was determined to get up a no handed slab problem - which he did.

Climbers on the top of Valkyrie and walkers

We then set to work on routes, and picked some fairly tough ones to warm up on! As we all had different guidebooks it was interesting to see how a few of the routes we climbed had been upgraded over time. The Roaches are now managed by the Staffordshire Wildlife Trust (formally the Peak District National Park Authority but they ran out of money.....) and I think they are letting the area 're-wild', which is nice to see. It was interesting seeing grazing cattle at the belay when topping out of some routes.

Shaw on the mini Sloth

We climbed 6-7 routes, all good but the notable ones for me were Saul's Crack (HVS) and Wallaby Direct (HVS) because they were so strenuous, and after them I was completely knackered! I'd forgotten how physical (but brilliant) climbing at the Roaches is.

Shaw working Joe's Arete

Me playing on the aerate too

We didn't make Hen Cloud, saving that for another trip, and after a final play on Joe's Arete we headed for home as a few photographers started to gather and take position, ready to capture the setting sun on this fabulous landscape. The consensus from the group was that rural Staffordshire is great, and I think I heard someone declare its wilder and better than Derbyshire - but coming from Derbyshire I'm not sure I can go that far..... maybe the water from the coffee stop had affected peoples brains after all....... Another great grit day out.

The Bay Cycleway (with lots of food stops)

The Bay Cycleway is a 'newish' signed sustrans route in our area. It connects various quiet roads and cycleways around Morecambe Bay, from Walney Island to Glasson Dock, creating an ~ 83 mile route.

Under starters orders on Walney Island

We'd previously joined some friends on the section near to Lancaster. On that day there wasn't much time to stop, take pictures and enjoy the scenery as it was quite a mission for them to ride the whole route in a day.

Barrow cycleway

So we decided to complete the whole route, but over a more relaxed two days. Janet and Rob joined us for this mission. It nearly didn't happen at all as they wouldn't let us on the train with our bikes. It's bl***y annoying that Northern Rail don't allow you to book bikes on their trains and only allow up to 2 bikes on any train journey at the guards discretion.

Views back over to Bowland

We knew this but assumed there would be some flexibility and a willingness to help...... no, not a bit of it (must write to Tim Farron about this!)! The 9am train came and went and we weren't allowed on it, the guards cheerfully told us we probably wouldn't be allowed on the next train either... How on earth anyone with a bike wanting to do this ride ever gets to Barrow is anyone's guess.

Near Ulverston

Luckily Abi had the idea of getting a taxi (van) and we found one outside the station that we managed to cram 4 bikes and 4 people into. It dropped us in Barrow, and we cycled to Walney Island the start of our big (mini) journey.

The sun was shining and the riding started out flat and interesting as we rode through the industrial sections of Barrow, spotting a submarine in the dock, and enjoying the expansive views out to sea.

Cartmel (I think!)

I kind of don't know where we actually went on the next section, but it was very pleasant with quiet roads and further sea views. The views into the Lakes were also pretty good. Our ride also corresponded with a Buddhist Festival at Ulverston - didn't spot the Dalai Lama though....

At the top of the hill of doom

After getting slightly lost (me and Abi), and losing Janet and Rob there's a great off road section before the mother of all hills. We rewarded ourselves after the tortuous climb with ice creams in Cartmel before another hour in the saddle got us to Grange and a rather strange night out.

Cake perfection...

Day 2 was drizzly, but fun as we strayed onto our more local patch. We enjoyed a rather fine cafe stop at the Wolfhouse in Silverdale. At this point (considering I'd also had a cooked breakfast in Grange) I was starting to think that I'd probably put on weight during this adventure due to the high quality of cafe stops we managed to fit in.

Morecambe

It rained fairly heavily as we were on the canal section near Carnforth, but this was nice and refreshing. Sadly it put off most members of the team from wanting an ice-cream in Morecambe (as we sheltered under a canopy trying to keep warm).

The rain soon stopped and we were treated to 200 Batala drummers performing on the quay - quite a sight, and sound (heres a video of it)

Morecambe bay looking fine...

Reinvigorated we kept going on the last leg round to Glasson dock, and then the final 5/6 hilly miles home, as Janet and Rob headed back to Lancaster train station to retrieve their car. What a brilliant 2 days.

Finished at last! Only 5/6 miles home!

Rebel with a cause

I seemed to briefly get in trouble with the KMC on Friday by emailing the club not realising there was a Patterdale meet already organised. In the end I was a rebel and went off on an exploratory mission to find and climb on the gritstone in the Chew Valley with Shaw's crew.

Bleak on the moor

A steep pull up to the crag

We went to the beautiful Dovestones Edge nestled high up on the moor with commanding views to Dovestones reservoir and beyond.

Shaw and Judith on a slippery HS

Great views but cold at the top

It was a bit 'parky', we all seemed to leave essential clothes in the car expecting sunshine and warmth as per the forecast but it was pretty chilly most of the day.

The climbing was excellent and we climbed 7 routes from VD to VS. I didn't spot any polish, but some of it was a tad green and could do with a quick brushing.

The sun's finally out

I climbed all day with Cliff a lifelong student of enlightenment, who travels this road by trying to master one of life's great puzzles - how to make the ultimate recycled beer can stove. He's also a very good climber, super positive and extremely affable - and a mere 74 years young! Wow I have a lot to learn in life.

The delightful Duddon Valley!

Sue's visit from the Auvergne coincided with a wedding in the village and the arrival of nice sunny weather (after a forecast of tres pluie)! Sue was also kind enough to bring lots of wine, which always goes down well.

Walking up the old 'Parsons Road'

Lots of small beautiful tarns

Today we headed to the Duddon Valley in the Lake District and had a very enjoyable promenade around the low fells. The weather was great, and views extensive.

On the way home we called in at the Boothes in Ulverston and I nearly ended up in a fight with 2 'older ladies' over a loaf of bread - I didn't realise the danger.

I spy.....

I spied a 'loaf' of rustic olive bread that I thought would be just the thing to have with our Tuscan sausage casserole, I picked it up..... big mistake and then noticed lots of women surrounding the bread display waiting for all of the items to be reduced.

Herdwick's gathered for shearing

Unbeknown to me if you touch or pick up an item then IT WILL NOT GET REDUCED - as a local informed me whilst scowling at me from across the iced buns! I waited for the melee to die down and put in my move, finally getting the olive loaf which to be honest I would happily have paid full price for!

In the shadow of the Sellaronda Hero

Finally got to meet up again with Steve today after too long. He's just back from completing the sellaronda hero mountain bike race in the Dolomites - a gruelling 87 km race with 4,700m of ascent.

Playing around at Semer Water

Steve shredding in the tree's

Today we took a trip out in his 'Bongo' camper van and headed to Semer Water in the Yorkshire Dales. A very scenic spot that I've not been to before.

gross, but satay mole anyone...

Don't slip...

From here he headed over some very hilly terrain to Bainbridge and onwards towards Castle Bolton where we had an interesting time crossing some slippery stepping stones!

At last some down hill

After this we climbed, and climbed, and climbed, and I can't remember when it actually stopped. Steve's always fit, but today I got punished and clearly all of his training for the 'Hero' has done him some good. Lets hope he now loses this fitness quickly.

A well earned cup of tea

A cup of tea in the camper was well earned after today's 30km ride, thank goodness I had some spare water left for the tea Steve ;-). 

Midge Fest III - the revenge

The plan seemed sound, head to the North Lakes after work and climb at Raven Crag, Thirlmere. Its a much quieter crag than its namesake in Langdale and we fancied climbing Communist Convert and Anarchist.

The crags around here somewhere....

Its in a beautiful setting nestled in forest above Thirlmere and the shortish walk in was very scenic - good so far. Sadly from this point on events conspired against us. There was a fair amount of bushwhacking to try and locate the start of Anarchist, proved by the fact that I found 3 ticks sucking my blood when I got home.

However, what ultimately kind of spoilt the night were the midges. The forecast had predicted a breeze, but there wasn't one and and we were eaten alive. I've never experienced such ferocious beasts..... We were engulfed in a massive cloud of them, Ben belayed with a jumper over his head so couldn't see a thing, whilst still being savaged through his trousers/top, they were so unbearable that we had abseil from the top of the first pitch to escape and run away.........

Just before abseiling off and running away....