Clapham and Austwick 26th June 2010

First proper ride out with our new mountain bikes, would we get up the hill and through the tunnels without stopping????

We set off from the lay-by at Buck Haw Brow and set off up Brunton Road and then headed up the bridal way to Meldings Barn. We had been along this bridle way before but it had become very very over grown with nettles…time to be brave get your legs as high as you can and keep going! luckily it was down hill. We came to a ford and Roger …no guts no glory headed straight through and got his feet wet. nice bridal ways followed as we made our way only the Pennine way cycle route….definitely one for the future although we would need new touring bikes. Then along Thwaite Lane and down through the tunnels to Clapham and time for a bit of something at our usual cafe. scone with jam and a bacon buttie.

Back on the bikes again and the challenge of the tunnels and loose stones. the bikes did very very well and i got up with just one stop and roger would have done better but his saddle was too far back and his front wheel kept lifting up. One wonderful moment when a little shrew ran across the path in from of us. We went along Long lane, liking the bikes more and more as we went. We turned back on our selves and headed to Crummack and Wharfe down Wood Lane and hale Lane to Feizor and an Ice cream from the new tea room. Then back on our bikes and with by now quite weary legs over Feizor Thwaite and back to the car.