High Street Ride. Thursday 15th February 2001
by Peter Strong, Bernard Moore,
Ade Gidney & John Norton
Tuesday night the phone rings, "Peter, its Bernard fancy a day out Thursday". Well that was
all I needed to put a days leave in and wish Wednesday through! The week had been great
weather and more was forecast so spirits were high.
Thursday morning 1000hrs, Myself, Bernard, John and Ade gathered in Pooley Bridge, weather
was starting to brighten up after a dull start, the air was cool with a fresh breeze blowing from
the SouthWest.
The agenda was High Street via Haweswater, Nanbield Pass then a little jaunt across a footpath
to the summit cairn!
The "Cockpit" below Loadpot Hill, was the first port of call, being a steady climb all the way. Lots
of ice across the path made the climb quite tricky. When on top the views were clear and the
ground frozen making the going quick. Soon we were descending to the road then right heading
for Haweswater. Along the side of Haweswater into a head wind and ahead of us Nanbield Pass,
with a bit of cloud hanging on top. On the bridleway up to the first wall you can just about ride,
technical and lung bursting quite a challenge, we pause contemplating the way ahead. A 10min
carry soon sees us at the reservoir and pedalling again, although only a short distance it's worth
it to get the bike off the shoulder. Now for the final push to the top, 15min sees us at the cairn
shrouded in a heavy mist! We shelter from the cold wind in the cairn where John produces some
sandwiches and I provide the coffee, a welcome break.
The mist is very thick showing no signs of lifting as we now cut across a footpath heading for High
Street. We march on through the snow until the path levels off and sees us pedalling again, with the
ground frozen the traction is good. As thick as Pea Soup comes to mind as we navigate from cairn to
cairn, we hear voices, then through the mirk a wall appears. We bear right and follow the wall to the
summit of High Street, with the views non-existent we push on heading for the Knott and the technical
descent to Hayswater. Out of the mist now we can take in the views and see where we are actually going.
The final descent to Hartsop is very fast only the snow drifts slow us down. The bridleway goes right now
just before the road is reached, easy at first then getting steeper, steeper and steeper as it heads for
Boredale Hawes.
The view of Patterdale and Ullswater look majestic so we chill out for a bit finishing the coffee while
we soak up the view wondering what people are doing at work (yeah right, as if!). We decide not to
descend into Boredale but instead to climb up a little further and descend into Bannerdale. The
climb is 95% ridable to a fantastic descent, fast and grassy with the odd bit of technical stuff
to keep you on your toes.
A couple of clicks on the road past Martindale and more bridleway, joining at Howtown the climb up
to the cockpit again. Last climb of the day sees some tiered legs finished off, then miraculously
recover for the descent to Pooley Bridge and the PUB. A great ride!
A day well worth spending off work. Distance 48km total time 5hrs 40min.
Helvellyn Ride. Wednesday 17th January 2001
By Peter Strong, Bernard Moore, John Norton & Andy Wrigley
Wednesday morning a few (four!) West Coast MTB riders met in a car park
overlooking the frozen waters of Thirlmere. The weather was cold, crisp and calm, the sun was
shining but not on the cold car park. The agenda for the day was the whole Helvellyn ridge from
South to North.
Pedalling through the woods along the side of Thirlmere was good to warm the legs up prior to
the long slog up to Grisedale Tarn from the top of Dunmail Raise, and was much better than
pedalling along the road.
All too soon the carry was ahead of us, so heads down shouldering the bikes the slog commenced.
Ice was everywhere and soon saw us scrambling on the fell side to make progress along the
treacherous path.
Soon Grisedale Tarn came into view and enabled a short pedal over to the base of Dollywagon
where the main climb started. Now in the sun temperatures were rising as we slogged to the top
of Dollywagon. 2hrs15min we crested the snowbound ridge, wow what views from Gable all the
way to High Street and not a sole could be seen.
Fortunately the snow was ideal for cycling giving unbelievable grip and the trip along to Helvellyn
went very quickly with only the odd tumble on hidden ice.
Looking ahead to Raise and the Dodds looked miles but again went in quickly. Andy made an
audacious descent off one ridge that left us in awe but that is Andy! The only incident was
Peter going over the bars after finding the only deep snow on the ridge.
After the final grind to the top of Great Dodd we headed off East North East heading for
the East end of the Coach Road. The descent was fast and hairy with a lot of ice about,
unscathed the coach road was joined.
Now in the shade the temperature had dropped so the steady pace along the Coach Road
kept us warm, soon we were in St Johns in the Vale heading back to the car. 5hrs20min
total time what a ride, beats going to work any day.
What were you doing?
Images of the day out, click on to enlarge
