Saturday 30 December 2017

Season's Greetings - and New Year's Day ride

I hope you have all had a lovely Christmas - there is no led ride tomorrow (New Year's Eve) but I expect some of us will meet up at Booth's for the coffee stop to catch up with the news - it is a bit warmer than Wednesday and - I hope - less icy.
On New Year's Day (Monday) I am leading a ride, departing from the church at Newton Reigny at 11 am. I am planning to do about 20 miles, returning to Anne's house where Anne, Pam and I will be supplying soup and a sweet for lunch. Anne and I have enrolled in 'Ride London' at the end of July and need to raise money for the charity 'Genesis Research Trust' which funds research into issues affecting mothers and babies such as prematurity and miscarriage, so any donations for lunch will be gratefully received.
I look forward to cycling with you in 2018.
Alison

Saturday 23 December 2017

Sunday 24 December - Christmas Eve

I love going to churches at this time of year - especially ones I don't usually visit or which are not always open. So my plan for tomorrow is to leave Beacon Edge opposite the cemetery at 9 am and to go to Brougham Church - opposite Brougham Hall - for the service of Holy Communion at 9.30. I expect to be leaving there at 10.30 and will be crossing the newly re-furbished Brougham Bridge (I know Dallas and Ian have already done this). I will then do a loop to the River Eden through Great Salkeld heading back to Booths in Penrith for a mince pie.
Anyone is welcome to join me.

Friday 22 December 2017

Brougham Hall cafe (Betty Ann's) is closed on Sunday

It is going to be closed until 1 February. I suggest Booths as the place for 11.30s - hopefully they will be able to fit us in despite it being Christmas Eve. I hope to see some of you there.

Tuesday 19 December 2017

Mountain Bike Ride at 7Stanes Mabie 27th December

An ideal way to get out after Christmas! I suggest we meet at 1030hrs on the upper tier of the car park (please remember to bring £2 for car park fee) with the intention of setting off to do the Red route (82% single track, 19.2km with 430m climb) James Rawes and I will lead the ride which I expect to take around 3 hours (lots of stops to inspect sections). The Red Route at Mabie is a great introduction to off road mountain biking, with long swoopy descents, a little more complex track (which does not need to be ridden all the way) and relatively smooth under wheel.

Please bring something to eat for lunch although the Mabie House Hotel welcomes cyclists and does serve food.

Travel directions: from the M6 take the A75 into Dumfries and follow the A710 out of town towards New Abbey for approx 3 miles. Access to the Trailhead and Car Park is right on a sharp bend in the road. Go to the upper tier of the car park where I suggest we all meet up at 1030hrs with the intention of setting off as near to 1100 hrs as possible.

Please text me (07879 436153) if you are keen to join us so I have an idea who is wanting to come. I have a spare full suspension Mountain Bike for anyone who would like to borrow it. The nearest bike hire is in Dumfries, although the bike shop in Longtown may be worth trying

John Roelich

Monday 18 December 2017

11s/coffee stop Wednesday 20 December

Although this is down as Melmerby stores and tea-room, Lily and Jed are taking a well-earned break and instead we will be meeting at Melmerby Village Bakery.

Sunday 17 December 2017

RIDE WEDNESDAY 20 DEC

RIDE WEDNESDAY 20 DEC
Good news, Geoff will be leading the ride from Tebay, sports  ground
Thanks Geoff
David Harrison

Looking at the forecast @ mid-day Tuesday it says Drizzle! So if you are keen - bring a back light at least. Route can be shortened if weather really bad! I am not proposing to have a coffee stop. Once round the Howgills will probably prove sufficient.
Geoff

Saturday 16 December 2017

Advanced info - Wednesday 27th Dec club ride

I am down to lead a ride on Wed 27th December.  The ride will be a day of mountain biking at Mabie near Dumfries.    John Roelich will be in charge and he will put something on the blog in the next few days.

Friday 15 December 2017

Sundays ride 17th Dec

Sundays ride is from the Beacon Edge Cemetery lay-by at 10am and is heading for an early lunch at the Old Smithy Caldbeck. Myself and Rosie are leading and we may offer 2 rides to the same destination but at different speeds. If you are thinking of meeting us at Caldbeck then phone 07818241833 just to check we will make it there. Weather a bit unreliable at the moment and plans could change. The forecast is wet but mild, and you are invited to come back for mince pies and coffee/tea  afterwards.

Ride Wednesday 20 Dec

Ride Wednesday 20- December
Sadly my car has broken down (again) and the garage cannot start work until Wednesday. Anyway I will not be able to get to Tebay, sports ground, to lead the ride.
Sorry but can somebody else volunteer to lead, if so please let me know 0176784 82055.
The ride goes to Sedburgh Far Mill (opens at 11.00) and on to Normans's at Newbiggin on Lune for a late lunch.
Thanks  David H

Wednesday 13 December 2017

3 bike ride Wednesday 13th

I have held off as late as possible from writing this but currently there is a warning of ice from 1600Tues -1100Wed due to freezing surfaces and rain expected early tomorrow.

The air temperatures tomorrow are not too bad but I have decided to cancel the official ride.

If anyone feels they have been so 'cooped up' that they are anxious to get out for a ride then you are welcome to come for coffee at 10 and we can consider options at that time with the possibility of a short trip to Morland/Orton or wherever on fat tyres/suitable bikes, or even a walk but the forecast is for showers throughout the day from 11.

Anyway at least we have the Christmas lunch(1230 Mrs Millers Culgaith) to look forward to on Saturday - I propose the usual Acorn Bank circuit walk beforehand (wellies would be good) so we could meet up ready to start at 10.30 at Station House. Come before (10 00)if you would like a coffee before you start.

Tuesday 12 December 2017

Ammo .303 Cycle Cleaner (Suitable for All Frame Types) 12th December 2017

Hi,
If anyone is interested I have been using Ammo .303 Nitro Cleaner on my bikes now for several months, in my opinion it is better than any market rivals. It is easily applied by a spray nozzle, leave it on the surface for a couple of minutes and just rinse off and dry the bike. The paintwork is left clean and shiny.  It is also a Bio Degradable product.  I does not seem to have no adverse effects on the chain, cassette etc.

The product is available in 1 litre or 5 litre packs.



This is an extract of what the supplier states:.............

Nitro Power Cleaner 1LT or 5LT

Nitro Cleaner uses Sure-Clean technology to easily remove dirt and grime from pushbikes, cars, motorcycles, caravans etc.

Complex chemical formulation gives highly effective cleaning but also safe to use on all surfaces!

Ammo .303 available in 1-lt trigger bottles and economical 5-lt re-loads. Next generation cleaning technology. You will be amazed at the difference of this cleaner when compared to others on the market. No streaking or dulling and will leave a shine on your pride and joy.


If anyone would like some I can get it at a good saving if I buy in bulk. Please phone me if you would like any. Would make an ideal Xmas present.
1 Litre  =  £6.95 (rrp £7.99)
5 Litre  = £19.99 (rrp £24.99)

John Forrester
Mob: 07768-037-299


Monday 11 December 2017

Two Bike Ride Wednesday 13th

I had one of my procedures at the hospital today so although everything is fine I'm not feeling a hundred percent. The weather forecast looks most unpleasant, windy with heavy rain so I am cancelling my ride.
If anyone fancied their own short ride/walk from Kirkby Stephen they are very welcome back at Winton for tea.

Looking forward to seeing some of you on Saturday.

Jen

Saturday 9 December 2017

John R's 3 bike ride from Greystoke, Sunday 10th December

John put a blog up on the 26th November saying that he couldn't lead this ride and asking for someone to deputise. I'm not sure if anyone volunteered and I can't get hold of John. So I am hoping that I'm not treading on anyone's toes when I suggest that this ride should be cancelled. Bill has already cancelled his ride (see blog below). I have just returned by car an hour ago along the Mungrisdale to Hutton Roof road and it is extremely icy.
A self-led ride to Granny Dowbekins in Pooley Bridge is still a possibility if you can find a safe route.

2 Bike Ride Sun 10th Dec

I have decided to cancel tomorrow's ride.
 The temperature is going to drop well below freezing overnight, and only hover just above, during the day. So there could well be ice on any damp wet stretches of lanes in the Eden Valley. Also the forecast is saying, that this part of Cumbria is going to get snow by late morning tomorrow. It remains to be seen if that's true.
 I am sorry about this, but I'd rather err' on the side of caution, than do the ride and somebody have an accident !.

Bill Holmes

P.S. Don't forget, there is the self-led ( 1 Bike ) ride to the coffee stop at  Granny's, pooley bridge 11.30pm. If anyone wants to venture out.

Wednesday 6 December 2017

2 Bike Ride, SUN 10 th Dec

Starting at Cross Key's @ 10am. Basically direct route to Upfront Gallery Unthank for 11s -
via Stoneybeck, & Catterlen. 
   From Unthank, going   to Wetheral animal centre for lunch - via Calthwaite, Southwaite, Low Hesket, climb up to Aiketgate, then onto Wetheral.
   Heading back through Armathwaite & Lazonby. Total distance around 35 miles.
Since the weather forecasts for the weekend are not too good, there could be snow & ice about!.
   Please keep your eyes on the Blog, if I decide to cancel the ride, will make sure the message is on the Blog by Saturday evening.

                                                         Lets hope the Forecast is wrong !

                                                                              Bill.

Monday 4 December 2017

Wednesday 6 December 2-bike ride

This is the usual first-Wednesday-in-the-month circuit starting outside the Cross Keys, Carleton village, going to the Pot Place Plumpton for coffee and UpFront Gallery, Unthank for lunch. Suitable as a taster for new members the route can be extended depending on who arrives. Let's hope the rain keeps off until we all get home again.
Alison

Club Ride Wednesday 6 December

Wednesday's ride will start from Tarn Lane, Burton in Kendal at 1000.

This will be a one stop ride, with lunch at Booths in Garstang (so bring your Booths Card for a free coffee if you have one). The route out will be via Over Kellet and Quernmore, with the return leg taking us through Cockerham to Lancaster and picking up the cycle path before returning to B in K.

The total distance will be 50 mile over predominantly kind terrain and at the moment the forecast is for mild temperatures with rain coming in later in the afternoon. If the weather should look threatening we will have the option to shorten the route and head for Condor Green from The Bay Horse and have lunch at the Café de Lune. This contingency option would make the ride just over 40 miles but obviously get us back quite a bit earlier - let's hope we don't need it!

Hope to see some of you on Wednesday.
Keith G.

Saturday 2 December 2017

Tomorrow's 'two bike ride'

This is such a gentle ride, that we might arrive far too early at the Melmerby Village Bakery so I may be forced to add in some loops... I plan to leave Appleby cloisters around 10, then will cycle up past the station to meet anyone coming by train. We will be following the fellside route to Melmerby and coming back into Appleby on our return up the Colby hill. I hope it will be an enjoyable day out.
Alison

Nigel's ride tomorrow 3rd December

Today was wet at times over to the West and I think along the fellside too.  Yesterday at this time Great Dun Fell was covered with snow.  It looks as if there is due to be (further?) rain tonight.  The forecast for tomorrow is for above freezing on the fell but it 'feels like' -4 to -5.
It is possible that we will get up the fell tomorrow but if that is all you are coming for, I cannot guarantee I will be going up.  If there is ice, or it even looks as if there most probably is ice, I shall not be going up.
I hope you will come along and see what the day doth bring you.

Friday 1 December 2017

Hey up from Argentina & Chile



Heyup lads and lassies from Argentina and Chile.
Here's a pic of Chilean Lakes and Mt Fitzroy / Cerro de Torres, latter in fairly rare amazing low wind sunny weather.
Chilean Lakes District seems great for cycling, but here in Patagonia more for toughies only. Just met UK couple doing South America north to south cycle camping for 6 months, today against a 40 mph headwind which frankly doesn't appeal!
Confess that plane, bus, car hire and day treks in the mountains fully satisfy us 'jubilados' (great Spanish word for retirees - jubilant!).
Gather UK weather been iffy, hopefully better when we get back shortly before Xmas. Meantime enjoy yourselves in the cold and damp Cumbrian climate and have a super EVCUK Xmas din dins gathering.

Les and Ruth