TRAC Lakes trail ride – 8-9^th October 2005

The weekend started at Tebay truck stop with a good value greasy breakfast. We set off in 5 groups at about 10 minute intervals. After a slight cock up one group left 2 riders behind. After this was sorted out we were all finally off to the first trail. The first trail was easy with a river crossing which was also straightforward. After crossing Coniston on the ferry and a few more trails we had lunch. I recall thinking there must be some more challenging trails to come later, and I was right.

After lunch we went up Walna Scar which was the most challenging part of the weekend. The climb was on loose rocks and there were some large rock slabs with big slots at about 20 degrees off the direction of the track and combined with the steep gradient made them very difficult. I found it amazing that 4x4s could get up there even though I have seen it on DVD. After that we rode a few loops of Grizedale Forest and headed to the hotels for the night. We all met up for a few beers and some food over some discussion of the day’s events.

After a good nights sleep we headed off for more trail riding, including Walna Scar in the opposite direction. The climb was fairly steep and very loose and OK providing you did not stop. The decent down the side we climbed on Saturday was not as difficult as I expected. That said I did have my only painful fall of the weekend, after a successful decent of the steep hill, I hit a fairly large round rock head on and the front end just disappeared. I hit the rocky ground quite hard. I very relieved to find I had not dinted the tank on the XR250 that John M. very kindly lent me and just about managed to pick up the bike and carefully carry on.

Whilst on Walna Scar we had a slow puncture on a bike and also time was getting on so after a quick lunch stop we headed back to the vans, across Coniston on the ferry and towards Kendal. We did the trail with the river crossing then back to Tebay then back to Tebay.

The weekend was great fun and a credit to all involved in organizing it. Special thanks to the run leaders, John T, Evan, Kieron and Mark Rainford and most of all John Midgley for all the work he has put in to organising the weekend. Also, not forgetting Vinny and Aryton for the van driving.

Nick Lawson