Hi, Guys,

I guess there was a mix-up somewhere. I went to the camp site near Satterthwaite at 10 and again at 10:15 but could not find anyone. My mobile is knackered, so I could not pick up any calls or texts. I guessed it was called off due to the weather and that you couldn't reach me. Anyway, I did a loop of the NF trail and had a latte in the nice new cafe before heading home.

I have finally just been able to turn my mobile on again and Dave refereed to "Grizedale" camp site, so I guess I may have gone to the wrong one. Apologies   

Steve

What a complete balls up, that was the camp site we were on, it's signed Grizedale camp site from the road. We were actually up in the trees behind the farmhouse, I was expecting you to give me a call to see where we were but now we know why you didn't. We waited until gone 11.30am and I called you a few times but of course just got your answer phone, sorry about the mix up.

Well what a weekend following the monsoon whilst putting my tent up the skies cleared and by the time Kate, Dave & Nuffer arived things were looking better, by the time Mike got there we were all sat around in the sun, with a nice BBQ and a roaring camp fire going until the small hours.

Saturday morning brought horrendous rain and winds and temperatures that were more suited for February not June!!! We eventually got going with everyone thinking lets just stick to the confines of the forest but by the time we climbed up to the top we were buzzing and went for the High Nibthwaite descent followed by the sweet BW's of Dunnerdale Fells over the other side of Coniston to Broughton Mills, swinging round to Dunnerdale Moor before the ascent upto the dissused quarries of Walna Scar. At this point it was like riding into a battering ram the wind was so strong. We pushed on up the Walna Scar Road after a brief look round the old quarries but it was so cold we were starting to lose the use of fingers etc. Once over the top the reward was of course the big descent back into Coniston after a brief stop part of the way down to repair a chain which snapped on the other side but it was too cold up there to fix it. After Coniston was the final climb of the day up Lawson Park followed by the superb descent back to the Visitors Centre.

Sunday morning brought sunshine and although legs hurting we headed off up Breasty Haw down to Great Wood and across to Devils Gallop, up to Near Sawrey and across to Far Sawrey before climbing and then descending down to the Windermere shore path to Belle Grange. There were some cracking efforts put in up the cobbled climb but it still has to be cleared without a dab!!! We continued over Long Height and down to Colthouse and then into Hawkshead for a coffe. Along the road to the B.O.A.T. climbed to the fox and then down the rocky BW to the Visitors Centre. We climbed straight out the other side and up to the second section of the NF trail and onwards to the top of the Satherthwaite descent to finish the day / weekend and that was us

THE STATS

Saturday 32 miles 5736ft of ascent

Sunday 18.5 miles 3070ft of ascent

Wkend 50.5 miles 8806ft of ascent

Guys - Sorry about that! Camping in the trees was probably a good call seeing the grim faces of some of the campers in the main field! There seemed to be a lot of them taking their tents down when I was there!

Hopefully the delay in your departure gave you a better weather window? (Please say "Yes"!)

Respect for such an epic feat - I found the conditions on the NF trail much better than I had expected and the weather seemed to ease, but I would NOT have enjoyed climbing up and over Walna Scar in those conditions!

What a weekend. Fan-flippin'-tastic.

Grinning to myself today at work.

Always the sign of a good ride or two.

Thanks Dave, Mike, Nuffa, and Mrs J.

Real shame we didn't meet up with you Steve

Steve, sorry to have missed you too ... yes our later start did give us better weather. Rain not too bad, but wind was strong and bloody cold on Walna Scar. We all had waterproofs on until late in the afternoon. Was sunny in the Eagles Head beer garden though ... we couldn't pass by on the way back without stopping

To show you how much we we were loving it, 28-30 miles into the ride everyone made it straight up the Lawsons Park climb.

Helvellyn John with a descent down Sticks pass

The route that is in MBR this month, the descent is rather technical to say the least in places but bloody fantastic. About 3hrs 30mins up and down.

Just mapped it out dave.  Your GPS was spot on.

There are definately better ways UP & DOWN though.  Nice to try variety though.

My bike rack has arrived.  He got the wrong one.  I now have a tow bar mounted rack which is nice but do i fit a towbar or not

One of those nice removable ball types would do the trick,

Yes

What was it you ordered?

Hiked up that track the 2 times I`ve been up and wondered what it would be like. There`s a vid somewhere on`t net of people doing it.

What way up? Not Dollywagon?

Might be heading down to Ambleside next Wed, Biketreks have an Orange demo evening.

Free day on Sat, wife & daughter off to Metro Centre for graduation(3rd)ball gown.

Anyone doing anything?