A ride out in the Howgills
June 4th, 2007
After a pretty lethargic day of doing very little, I headed out to Sedbergh for 19:00 with a few other riders for a whizz around the Howgills on a bike.
For a long time only having rode the local routes around Stavely and Kentmere, this new terrain was completely alien to me. The mountains were… huge! There were no trees, no bushes, nothing. Just grass, rocks, streams and cairns. The ride itself was brilliant. After a very long struggle up a massive hill (more like a mountain really) - of which some sections were definite ‘pushers’ - we made it to the top. From here, the ride consisted of a few ups and downs along the ridges, claiming a few more summits and trig points along the way. The final descent was brilliant, full of large natural ’steps’ up to three feet in height, some excellent grassy berms that can be taken at full speed if you dare and some lovely long ‘carving’ sections to mess around on. I think for the last few years I have forgotten what Mountain Biking is really about - having constantly rode the same old trails in the same old area - this ride has successfully rekindled the fires - the only shame is that I have little more than one month to enjoy it all!
June 5th, 2007 at 4:38 pm
I have not got up there yet, but I expect it will happen soon!
June 5th, 2007 at 5:53 pm
Hey James
I might not have a chance to do that ride again this week but after a brief return to Leeds (from Saturday 9th till Wednesday 13th) I will try and persuade my Dad to give us a lift out there - I’m sure he would like to ride it again too. The first climb really is a monster though - its so steep that you have to practically sit on the front wheel - and it takes about half an hour!!! I guess if you took a camera along and write some notes, you could also make a trail guide for MBC.
Fancy getting out some evening this week?
June 6th, 2007 at 6:05 pm
Thur, Fri or Sun is good for me at the moment!