Day Two

Eskdale - Ambleside 24 miles

After a good nights sleep and a first days hard ride we all arose at about eight. Well for some that was, myself, Dave and Roger. And for what followed in the proceeding mornings for those who relished a few extra winks, would be dragged out of bed by Roger, or disturbed in some way. Breakfast was concluded with the ever expected de-brief for the day with the departure time again of half nine, which came to be more ten once the photo session had taken place.

We were blesssed with a fine day again as we left the hostel hitting the road towards Hardknott Pass, alas we were not to ride over it. It was at this point I was in trouble as my chain snapped, I had not fixed it properly the night before after replacing it with an older chain as my new chain would not synchronize properly with the freewheel. So a quick repair and we were off on our first off-road climb of the day towards Harter Fell.

An enjoyable stay by all after the first day.

You don't actually go to the top of Harter Fell but skirt past it, still to a height of one thousand one hundred and sixty five feet which inevitably included some walking and pushing of the bikes, or carrying them. There was rough scrubland once up and over the top with large tree routes making it unrideable which soon turned to forest tracks with a descent.

Not much after the descent and crossing the stepping stones on the River Dudden and taking a ten minute break you start to re-ascend up Walna Scar. That seemed to be an endless climb to the highest point and of the route at two thousand feet. The old pack horse by-way is rideable all the way, although for some, Dan and Steve, it was all to much, and they had to walk the last third. A brief stop to take in the views of the Scarfell massive and the Sizewell nuclear plant near St Bees below the summit of Brown Pike which if you have enough energy like Dave, Steve and myself did, then go to the top.

The only way is up for Steve and Dan!! (Harter Fell in the Background)

The descent down to Coniston is to be taken with caution what with large boulders and sharp slate to contend with and at some points having to almost sit on your rear wheel to stop youself from going over the handlebars. JMC was clearly out in front with no apparent fear of what terrain would come his way making him the best descender. I suppose this makes up for his whinging when climbing. Our bikes and bodies were really being put to the test. Perhaps slightly with more advantage was my brother Dan who was using front suspension forks.

After a short break in Coniston for a sarnie and for some, a pint, we headed out of Coniston on the main road before very shortly on to more countryside lanes taking you up (yep more climbing on the bike though), to High Tiberthwaite and on to Little Langdale with a short steep climb past Elterwater Youth Hostel. We soon hit the trails again along the Loughrigg terrace with good views of Grasmere and a superb down hill to the shores of Rydal Water. It was at this point the first signs of wet weather, although not tipping it down, we made a bee-line for a quick route into Ambleside and our next destination of the Youth Hostel

Day Two Route.

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