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

5 Muddy Bums gathered in Ambleside on this wintery morning with snow still clinging persistently to the fells and ice covering all the lanes. But undetered everyone bravely tucked into their cooked breakfast and manfully downed cups of tea and coffee. Nearly exhausted from these exertions - everyone took a breather to pack their bags and fine tune their gear.

And then they were off. The route started up to Elterwater, then climbed up through the quarry and onto the flanks of Lingmoor Fell. The views along Langdale were particularly beautiful and the sun fought its way through gaps in the cloud and the sugar covered moutains emerged from the swirling mists.

Gaining the ridge of Lingmoor the views opened up across Windermere, Iron Keld and over onto Wetherlam and The Old Man. We could survey most of the rest of the route to Cathedral Quarry from this high vantage point.

Setting off along the ridge the snow depth was measured in feet not inches which made for some hard going. And the wind occasionally picked up throwing chilly blasts to feast on any piece of exposed skin. But the group managed to continue its good progress - picking their way around the rocky piles and steep drop offs.

Reaching the western limits of Lingmoor the route steepened downwards (thankfully) and much slipping and slithering saw slow progress being made. The occassional detour into the very deep snow piles choked off any excess speed on this descent. Soon Side Pick was reached where the group split to allow Gavin and Graham to drop straight to the road whilst Kev, Arthur and Mark continued on the rocky technical option around Side Pike and Fat Man's agony.

Lunch was taken huddled behind a wall at the watershed between Langdale and Little Langdale with a magnificent view over Blea Tarn. The track from here is fast and furious, darting across a good surface, under the trees and following the stream valley all the way down to Wrynose Bottom.

From here we soon reached Fell Foot Bridge where the Byway takes off across the valley floor and climbs gently towards Low Hall Garth and Atkinson Coppice. Hidden in the old quarry workings is the secret entrance to a tunnel leading into Cathedral Quarry. This is a huge cavenous quarry, with the ceiling held up by a massive pillar of slate, and a huge opening in the roof out to the sky. The echoing added to the awe of the place. The group carried on through the cavern and climbed a steep trail up to a higher level where another entrance leads to a 400 metre long tunnel. A few detours off the main tunnel to explore some side caverns was taken - before emerging blinking back out into the sunlight.

From here the trail crosses the infamous ford of The Brathay, climbs to the 3 Shires pub and then follows the old rocky byway back down to Elterwater. 5 well sated Muddy Bums then adjourned to The Brittania Inn for a restoring pint of Winter Ale.

A fine day out amongst some of The Lakes finest scenery. And no bikes to clean afterwards !

MARK