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

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Where: Keswick When : Saturday June 26th

How many and who : 9 : Suzanne, Tom, Stephen,Tony, Ian A, Willie, Julie and Graham Mac. How Far : 40 miles

Time: Departed at 9.45am and returned to campsite at 17.30pm : 7hrs 45 min

The group started to gather at Castlerigg car park from 12.00 on Friday afternoon, Ian being the first to arrive after putting a hard half day (2 hours) of graft in that very morning. After deciding on the ideal pitch for the tents, he set away putting up Willie and Julies “small” tent (On loan from Billy Smarts Circus) a two man operation by all accounts, with a little help from Mick’s mallet the pegs were helped into the near concrete ground.1st dilemma of the day, guests are not allowed to erect tents for people arriving later, but the camp was filling quickly. He decided what the heck he put his own tent up alongside the mother ship and awaited the consequences, what could be the punishment for an illegal erection, he didn’t wait around to find out, as Suzanne was two hours away he fled to Keswick to indulge himself with apple and blackcurrant pie with a steaming cup of coffee overlooking Derwent Water. Back to the site for Suzanne arriving at about three thirty, what a climb up the road, fancy choosing a camp site on the top of a mountain!!
Stephen and Tony arrived as Ian and Suzanne headed of to Ambleside to purchase some extra security at Biketreks for the Scott
When Graham arrived he pitched the dog kennel, wayed up all the local talent and started supping cans of beer and taking the P within half an hour. 2nd Dilemma of the day, no groups allowed, could this be a coincidence that we all knew each other the regulars were giving us funny looks. At last Willie and Julie arrived 7 ish, Ian relaxed the erection that had been on his mind for seven hours was now officially legal. A quick unload of the Shogun, picnic table, kitchen cooker double bed just the bare essentials and the big top was full.
Off to the chippy for a sit down supper lovely food and of course the usual suspects had to have a pudding. No time to hang about as the camp gates shut at ten and no talking after half past. A quick cup of tea and bed for 11pm. Goodnight

Route - Circuit of Skiddaw

• Castlerigg Camp site to Keswick for supplies
• Railway line up to Threkeld then road to Blencathra centre
• Skiddaw House, 11 miles into what was supposed to be a 25 mile route had Graham scratching his head, surely we must be turning back soon. Julie reckons that Graham wouldn’t have turned up if he knew the true distance and he agreed.
• Cumbria Way,Mosedale,Calebreck for lunch,Fellside,Longlands,Peter House Farm,White water dash,Skiddaw House on the return leg,Lonscale fell singletrack,Latrigg and an extremely fast descent back to Keswick.

• The peddlers for tea and cake before the ride up the hill to the campsite again.
• Tom, Graham and Suzanne head for home the remaining five have their evening meal at the hay barn the on site restaurant excellent service and good food
• Mark arrives in time for coffee in his camper van
• A quick tour of the van and all its amenities before a trip to the nearby pub to watch the spectacular sunset
• Tea and ginger cake sitting six in style and comfort without the pesky midges before retiring not to late in an attempt to recharge the batteries for day 2

Perfect weather all weekend, excellent campsite with rules that suit the more mature camper, it’s a pity they can’t shut the crows up at 4am,great food brilliant company with maximum effort by all and no fussing or mechanicals what more could you ask for? I know how’s about never ending single track, testing climbs, scary descents and riding on the edge. I think I might be dreaming.
That’s all folks to many other things to mention, its probably best if next time your there.

Cheers
Ian