THE MUDDY BUMS (aka "the Clarty Ars#ses") MOUNTAIN BIKING IN NORTHUMBERLAND AND BEYOND

Monday 27th dawned with fresh snowfall and it continued that way well into the morning. 4 more inches of fluffy white snow - of the heavier / moist type rather than the dry sugary stuff of late.

Tom arrived at 10.15 after an "interesting" drive over from Northumberland. A coffee and a chat later had us heading out on our chosen route. Tom & Mark were joined by Matt & Martin who had been in Ambleside since Christmas Day. We desended the lane and turned right along the high street. This was empty of people and cars and a few of the shops hadn't opened yet (despite it being well past 11am). The shops that were open looked remarkably empty. We carried on along the high street turning left into Biketreks.

Here we sussed out the options for a new bike for Martin - who being 6ft 4inches and wanting a bike that did "everything" for realistic money - did rather restrict our choice.. The options were an ex hire rockhopper for £250, or a better spec new rockhopper for £700 or an Orange P7 Pure for £900 (10% off list). Tom and Mark being Orange fans voted for the P7 and persuaded Martin to spend the extra (courtesy of VISA). Biketreks fitted and supplied FOC an extended stem and bar ends - bargain ! We were told to collect the bike in an hour. So we set off back across the High Street stopping at Costa for a Coffee. We then bravely took a downhill singletrack route to the new climbing wall where we inspected the extensive climbing opportunities from the adjacent cafe.

The route then took us back up to Biketreks where the P7 was collected. We took turns riding the bike back up to the house through thick snow and icy patches. We reached the house again at about 12.45 where lunch was taken as we digested the excitment of that morning's Amble through Ambleside.

Best wishes for 2011 to all of our readers.

Mark