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

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What a fantastic day to be English. Revelling in the beauty of our unequalled countryside and the joy that can be had from playing therein. And we played really well today. 4 goals were scored, one by Willie, one by Anne, one by Ian A and one by Mark H playing a 1, 1, 1, 1 formation. These 4 won this day hands down with no competition getting even close !

The Lakes were bathed in sunshine today - with spectacular views, combining with bone dry ground and an almost complete absence of other people. Short of an outbreak of the plague - I cant imagine there ever being less people taking advantage of the most splendid weather that the Lake District can muster.

The ride started at Castlerigg Campsite and took the path straight up onto and across Walla Crags. Unfortunately a mechanical had Steve not making the first rendevous and Tony decided to return to make sure Steve was ok. For both of these players to be sent off so early in the game was a tradgedy - but as we now know - the remaining 4 riders played a blinder. They swept majestically accross the fellside towards Ashness Bridge - like people possesed - reveling in the combination of perfect conditions, fit bodies, well sorted bikes and the excitment of a new bit of sublime singletrack that left us all glowing with pleasure.

Reaching Ashness Bridge a short stretch of tarmac took us up to Watendlath and the start of the technical climb then the challenging descent into Borrowdale. Everyone did well here with just a few footfaults and no falls. The right hand fork into Frith Wood proved highly entertaining and the bridle along the valley floor was an utter delight. Even the climb up Honister was a pleasure (not a pain) as we took the permissive bridleway that is a far far better option than the tarmac.

Lunch was taking feeding on the breathtaking scenery before the group committed themselves to the long rocky staircase down to the valley floor. This descent presents a prolonged and demanding challenge - putting tyres, suspension and nerve through a punishing work out. But the 4 top form players had an almost complete absence of walkers to distract them as they stretched their nerves of steel. Arriving at the valley floor the smiles on faces and the pumped up fore arms were testament to just how much fun was being had here today.

A short half time team talk at the cafe at Grange was all that was needed to restore the team to full fitness for the second half. The game took on a different style here, with less technical but equally beautiful routes accross the Cat Bells fellside and back to Keswick through the beautiful woodlands of the Allerdale Ramble. The drinks and cakes at the Pedlar never tasted so good just before the last climb along the mast track up to the campsite.

4 weary, sweaty but very content players knew that they had given their all and that the country would be exceedingly proud of them for triumphing here today. Our thoughts go out to those who missed out on today's ride . Sore bits (Julie), damaged chains (Steve) and loyalty to mates (Tony) deprived the three of you of a very special days ride and probably meant you spent the afternoon watching the telly in utter abject misery instead. But lets hope that we get the chance to do the same ride again next time the conditions are this good. Sadly I suspect that England may be knocked out of the World Cup on a few more occassions yet before such perfect Lakes District conditions return.

Mark