Thursday 28 September 2017

Len's Club Ride on Sunday 1st October

Due to unforeseen family circumstances I am very sorry that I will be unable to lead Sunday's ride.

However, I have provided the intended route on the maps (including a larger scale of the Penrith area) which Mike has kindly added.
The ride joins the self led group at Eden Gallery opposite St Andrew's Church in Penrith.  Could someone there please phone the Strickland Arms (01931 712238) with numbers and eta for lunch. The owners, Anton and Penny, welcome cyclists and have memorabilia of the Tour of Britain and the Tour de France. 
The route is clockwise starting in Greystoke at 10.00am. It is about 30 miles and graded as a "two bike ride".


Monday 25 September 2017

Club Ride Wednesday 27 September

Wednesday's ride will start from the quarry car park in Grasmere at 0930. The plan is to more or less follow the first half of the Fred Whitton route, but to avoid busier main roads where possible.

From Grasmere we will go over Kirkstone via Holbeck Lane and head for Threlkeld for 11s. From here we will go through Keswick and head for Borrowdale and Honister Pass. From Buttermere we will go over Newlands Pass and head for Portinscale for lunch. The final leg will take us through Keswick, round the back of Thirlmere and back to Grasmere. The outlined refreshment stops can be changed and negotiated on the day depending on group needs.

This will be a demanding ride with over 8000 ft of ascent and the distance will be approx. 75 miles, but the pace will be steady. The forecast is good and the scenery is stunning, so I hope to see some of you on Wednesday.
Keith G.

Cycling stuff at Aldi Thursday 28th September

Just a 'heads up' for the suave looking cyclists on a tight budget .... ðŸ˜‰
Aldi has some good offers in store this Thursday.  Details here 

I have found the merino base layers and shirts to be very comfortable, harder wearing (a bit of polyester is added to the wool) and at least one third of the price of the 'must have' labels. If you want the merino ... be sure to get there early Thursday morning.

Can someone explain the purpose of a tail light with a video camera? 

Friday 22 September 2017

Moderate ride Sunday 24th

This will leave Penrith Cemetery Gates lay-by on Beacon Edge at 9.30 and will head to Appleby (Eden River Cafe on Bridge St) via Askham, Shap and Crosby Ravensworth, for an early lunch after 25 miles at about 12. So bring a snack for 11ses. Total miles about 40. See you on Sunday.
Phil and Rosie

Club ride - Sunday 24th September

The ride will start from the Sycamore Cafe, Longtown at 9.30am.   The cafe will be open from 7am if anyone would like refreshments before we start

The route to Langholm will be via Chapel Knowe and Canonbie.   11's will be at the Whitshiels cafe at the north end of the town.

Langholm to Brampton will be via Claygate, Haggbeck and Stapleton and it will be hilly.    Lunch will be at the garden centre on the outskirts of Brampton.      The afternoon section via Walton and Boltonfellend will be easier.   The total distance of the ride will be about 60 miles.  

I hope to see some of you on the ride.  



Tuesday 19 September 2017

Cafe Update .. Brougham Hall

For the information
Bettyanns' Tea Parlor at Brougham Hall is currently closed for a couple of weeks as the owner Kim is in hospital. She will keep me posted as to when it will re open.
She is however going to try and arrange for a friend to cover and open purely for teas and coffees and scones in the interim.

John Forrester

2 bike ride Wednesday 20th September

A gentle ride for the more fainthearted (see Geoff's blog for Wednesday's 3 bike ride). From Greystoke to the Mill Inn at Mungrisdale for coffee via Hesket Newmarket (15 miles). Then to Pooley Bridge for lunch (another 15 miles). Total ride a bit less than 40. Some hills but all fairly short and we will ride at a gentle pace so come and give it a go.

3 bike ride Wednesday 20th September

At present the weather is looking dry for this ride which is not for the fainthearted! Though we will take it at a steady pace - The full route which may need to be modified goes from Brough  via Middleton-in-Teesdale to Blanchland. We will stop at Stanhope for coffee and lunch in Blanchland. The return is via fairly desolate minor roads back to the Tees valley. Route GPX here. The stats are 118km and 2514m of ascent. We could do it the other way round and there are several opportunities for shortening the route if that is the group decision. Last year it was agreed to be a memorable outing!
hope to see you at the shop in Brough 0930 start!

Saturday 16 September 2017

Moderate alternative ride

For those of you who don't fancy John's ride - for details see below...
Tomorrow, the coffee stop is at Melmerby; I am planning to leave Penrith - gathering on Beacon Edge by the cemetery - at 9.30 to lead a ride to the coffee stop then along the fellside to Appleby for lunch - a lovely ride on familiar roads. It would be lovely to see some of you either for all of the ride or for those parts which suit you!
Alison

Friday 15 September 2017

Club Ride on Sunday 17 September

We will set off from our house  Warwick on Eden,  CA4 8PA.   Turn into the village from the A69 just east of the Wetheral road.  There is parking space in the cul de sac (just past the Queens Inn) or on the road through the village.  The ride is 58 miles with just under 4000 feet of climbing.  Coffee after 14 miles in Brampton and lunch in Haltwistle after 38 miles (Val's Coffee House is open or CO OP).  Drinks and cakes available at the end as we soak up the late afternoon sun in our garden.
John P

Thursday 14 September 2017

Wednesday 13th September Ride - Langholm

Having returned from a strenuous tour in Spain and in view of the weather forecast, CJ feels that this is not the best route to take everyone.
He hopes everyone enjoys a ride somewhere, there is the 'Coffee Stop' at Morland and any other thoughts could be blogged.

(posted for CJ)

60th Birthday.. Thankyou 13.Sept.17


A day to remember in many ways, a ride with friends on my 60th birthday, not  only a free coffee but cake with candles and a rendition of happy birthday, what more could I have asked for. I had a great day which finished late pm. Thank you  to all who signed my card. it was much appreciated.
John Forrester





Sunday 17 September - moderate ride on offer

Great turn-out for coffee yesterday - it proves it pays not to be a slave to the forecast!
On Sunday, the coffee stop is at Melmerby; I am planning to leave Penrith - gathering on Beacon Edge by the cemetery - at 9.30 to lead a ride to the coffee stop then along the fellside to Appleby for lunch - a lovely ride on familiar roads. It would be lovely to see some of you either for all of the ride or for those parts which suit you!
Alison

Tuesday 12 September 2017

Cycle to Morland

I will be leaving Langwathby village green at 9.30 for a cycle to Morland tomorrow, 13 September. You know you will feel better when it is over...

Avoid that deflating scenario


Following my ride out today be aware that the area around Lowther & Askham and around Newton Rigg to Newton Reigny the hedge cutting contractors are in full swing and clearing up the road debris is definitely not high on their priority as my front tyre found out.
No doubt other areas will be affected.
Be warned take care in these areas or try to route around them. Hopefully tonight's storm and wind may help displace the debris to to verges.

John Forrester

Letter in the "i"

I have just read a letter in the "i" newspaper, where Dallas makes a very good point about how much better a human voice is at warning pedestrians than a bell, and also about being garrotted by dog leads. Well done Dallas. I never get my letters printed in the "i".

Monday 11 September 2017

Wheels for all session

Come along to find out more about what is available 
and how you can participate in the future.
 
 

Maes Cafe NOT closing

Austin very kindly passed on this ...

Just a quick note to say that we did visit Mae’s today (ride organised by Colin Fisher) and I spoke to the owner/manager. He knows about this rumour of the café closing at the end of August and who started it. He assured me that they have no intention of closing and indeed they were rather busy when we arrived. So it seems that Mike will be OK for the stop in early October.

Notice re Hallbank Hub/Cafe - next Saturday!


Sunday 10 September 2017

Club Ride 10th September from Dalston

Having looked at the forecast this morning, the band of heavier rain due around 1500 hrs seems to be arriving later. However it could be wetter than originally forecast on arrival at Greystoke. I am inclined to stick to my original plan to have an early lunch at Annie's.

John R

Saturday 9 September 2017

Club Ride on Sunday10th Sept from Dalston.
The weather forecast for Sunday appears to be changing by the hour! Latest BBC weather forecast is for heavy rain in Armathwaite from 1500hrs and scattered showers in Dalston and Greystoke areas throughout the morning. Temperatures range from 10-14degrees Celsius, winds are from the South freshening as the day goes by. With this in mind I am minded to have an 11's / Lunch spot ( I anticipate arriving at 1130hrs) at Annie's Cycle cafe (the gardens are closed for the summer, but we can self serve tea/coffee and soup for £1.30 and eat her flapjack for £0.50, please bring something else to eat). If it is still dry in Armathwaite we can decide whether to stop at the Fox and Pheasant. We can shorten the route or make it less undulating if we need to.

Please look at the blog before setting out to Dalston on Sunday, in case of a deterioration in the weather forecast. Look forward to seeing you at the New CarPark Dalston  ...... John R

Tuesday 5 September 2017

A few challenges for September?

I had an idea to do a couple of trips before the winter sets in.
  1. The first concerns a sportive that I can recommend from having done it last year - details below
    http://velo29events.com/sportives/white-horse-sportive/
    This White Horse sportive as usual comes in various lengths but the 80 mi route is a cracker! Do have a look and if you're interested we might combine transport or at least team up on the route.
  2. This second is an idea for a non Club ride day to go and do a route that takes in several of the most challenging hills in the North York Moors. It starts and finishes in Gt Ayton (home of the world's best ice cream maker Suggitt's!) The route is 125km 2800m ascent and includes Grosmont to Sleights Moor, Rosedale chimney & Blakey Bank among others.
    If you are interested in joining me for this, let me know, and we can choose a time of fair weather and go for it! (The route can be modified at various places to make it a little shorter but not missing out on the ice creams!) 
The GPX for the NY Moors route is here (download it) and below is an image of the route(click)

Wednesday 6th September ride

Alison is leading her ride from Penrith Cross Keys to Plumpton for 11s doing less than 10 miles there and that gently too, she says.
I am leading the ride for the same 11s via Strawberry Hill and Lazonby, which of course will be gently too.
After 11s we both aim to go to Up Front for lunch but we are separating again in the hope that the rejoining will be all the more special, and, if that works well, we may go our separate ways back to Frenchfields too.
We look forward to seeing as many of you as think they can manage with one of us for a bit and two of us for the other bits.

Warm Welcome from Eden Valley CTC.

Hi, Thank you to the group for a warm welcome upon joining, plus the excellent rides to date and including one Sportive (a 1st for me). A special thanks to Alison, Nigel, Ann Faulder and Tara.
The tips and advice have been warmly received. Just back into cycling this has been a good move move for me.
Thank you one and all.

John Forrester
07768-037-299.

Monday 4 September 2017

Components for sale - New!

I offer the following for sale before putting them on ebay!

These have come off a new bike so have been used no more than round the car park!

11 speed 6800 cassette 11-28  - £30











rear derailleur short cage RD 6800 -£30











Also a 106 link (care - quite short) ultegra chain gratis for anyone who wants it - again not used I have a new link pin if you require or of course you could use a quick link.


Finally - two brand new Selle Italia saddles
(both c 290g and 135 x 280mm) make an offer?
£5 each to charity? Try before you buy!
saddles

Friday 1 September 2017

Thank you...

... for your generosity on Wednesday's ride to Staffield. Anne is delighted to have raised £250 for her charity Genesis - a big thanks to her and the team at Staffield for an amazing lunch and to Pam, Charles and Mrs Miller's for a wonderful tea. And thank you to everyone for making my birthday so memorable - a grand day out!