With The Lake District and The Yorkshire Dales on our doorstep - KDCS offers an exciting selection of cycle rides throughout the local area and beyond. There are social gatherings including slide shows, talks and supper evenings and members are kept up to date with cycling news and issues through this web site, emails and our Facebook pages. KDCS are an affiliated group of Cycling UK.

Tuesday, November 20, 2012

North York Moors Trip: Friday 19 – Sunday 21 April 2013

Jo MacDonald has provisionally booked Bank House Farm Hostel in Glaisdale, North Yorkshire for the weekend of Friday 19 – Sunday 21 April 2013. KDCS members, families and friends welcome. (This is the weekend after the school Easter holidays – kids are back to school). There are a range of options for cycling, road or off road, as well as walking.

The North York Moors Railway is easy to reach, as is the Jurassic Coast from Whitby to Robin Hood’s Bay. Bank House Farm is 12 miles inland from Whitby (29 miles from Pickering/10 miles from Goathland of Heartbeat fame).

Further info on Bank House Farm:http://www.bankhousefarmhostel.co.uk/ The nearest pub appears to be the Arncliffe Arms, 3 miles away. For menus & accommodation details: http://www.arncliffearms.com/default.html

Bank House Farm Accommodation Information 

Bunkbarn accommodation – min price £200 per night – 10 people. Additional people £20 pppn: The dorm sleeps 11 on beds + 1 on mattress on floor, ie 12, (overflow sleeping in the sitting room/kitchen: two 4-seater sofas and a chair bed), so 15 in total. Bottom sheets, pillows and pillow slips are provided. The kitchen is fully equipped with cooking utensils, saucepans, baking pans etc, a microwave, a standard 4-hob/2-oven cooker, a slow cooker, crockery, cutlery, mugs, teapot & cafetiere. The washroom has 2 showers, 2 basins, 1 large sink and 3 toilets. If there are 10 people – this is £20 per person, per night – i.e. £40 for the weekend.

There is a minimum charge of £200 per night for the Bunkbarn so if we do not have 10 people for this option, cost per person goes up. The kitchen/living (ie common) room is probably suitable for 15 at the most. You will need to bring sleeping bag or duvet and food/ drink for the weekend. (We can discuss catering/ evening meal preferences later).

B&B £25 pppn The family farmhouse has 1 room with a double bed and a set of bunks and 2 further bunk bed rooms available. These are not ensuite (shared bathroom upstairs and toilet/shower/sink downstairs). £25 inc toast & cereal b/fast. Max 8 people – in one family room for 4 and two bunk bed rooms. £25 per person per night i.e. £50 for the weekend. (Arncliffe Arms has ensuite B&B available).

Camping/vans Space for a campervan or two and a small tent or two (in the garden). The price for people in those would be £10pppn. Van toilets cannot be emptied here unless contents are suitable for septic tanks.

BOOKING 

I am required to send a deposit of £100 to confirm our booking.

WHAT YOU NEED TO DO IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO COME 

  1. Put in your diary. 
  2. E-mail me to add your name(s) ASAP: jo@jamie-macdonald.com
    Include in your e-mail:
    • Name(s) - Who is coming with you
    • Accommodation choice – BUNK HOUSE/ CAMPING/ CAMPERVAN/B&B
    • Whether you will be staying for both nights
    • Whether you prefer to stay in Bed and Breakfast – who would share rooms – or would prefer to stay at the Arncliffe Arms. (Please book this directly yourself.)
  3. Send a cheque, written to Bank House Farm for £20 per person to me at: J MacDonald, 1 Clifford Drive, Kendal. LA9 5JB (or give to me at Christmas Meal). 
  4. If you would like to plan a ride for any part of the weekend – please let me know. Latest date to Confirm with me and let me have your deposit is 13 December 2012 (I will then be able to ensure we have enough people for the bunk house).

North York Moors Cycling Trip – Further Information Websites 

http://www.moortoseacycle.net/
http://www.northyorkmoors.org.uk/visiting/cycling
North York Moors Railway:
http://www.nymr.co.uk/

Tuesday, October 23, 2012

MTB Rides Report. 1st Sept 2011 – 31st Aug 12.

I used to look forward to seeing a ride report, especially if I was unfortunate enough not to have been on the ride. The MTB rides have now been taking place, every week for over a year, I thought it might be interesting to those who are unable to come on these rides, to hear what goes on. I think I can speak for all the regular riders, in saying that it has been a super year, every ride has been a great success, we have had some really exciting days out. You can see from the rides list that we start rides in South Lakeland, but do get over to the Dales and Shap Fells on occasions. In total we have had 52 rides, including one Sunday ride on 26th Feb, one ride planned for Whinlatter had to be cancelled due to a severe weather warning, in fact the road to Keswick was closed due to flooding. We also entered a team of four in the Sam Houghton Challenge and two expert riders went independently, but six in all, the same riders also entered the Dean Barwick Challenge. We did not win any medals, but they were both great fun, and the food and party atmosphere afterwards were excellent.

I could not possibly report on each ride, but will mention a few that have been especially memorable.


The High Cross ride in February, was on one of those rare clear frosty mornings, some icy patches and a sprinkling of snow on the trails, we headed south towards Low Parkamoor with a fabulous view over Coniston Water and The Old Man of Coniston, the air was crystal clear, with deep blue sky reflected on the surface of the lake, We stopped on the sky line to take some photos, then continued down the rough track to Nibthwaite, eventually to start a long climb up to High Ickenthwaite. We sat on some logs for a lunch stop and whilst there, were able to watch a Red Kite circling above us in the clear blue sky, it was a magical moment. We continued the ride over to Satterthwaite, then Bogle Crag, to come eventually to Hawkshead Moor and back to the start point at High Cross, about 25 miles.

We had a fun day out at Whinlatter Forest back in April, I think there were about six riders, and we went to try out the Quercus trail at 7.5km, and Altura trail at 19km, the Altura is a red rated ride and climbs way up over Keswick and Bassenthwaite to 1600ft. Both rides feature, Berms, Jumps, Rock Features, Skinnies, Cork Screws and Table Tops, Obviously there was a lot of hard work in climbing these, but the ride down was a real thrill. It was an exciting departure from our normal day tours.

June 14th saw us going up to Keswick again, this time for a round tour of Skiddaw. We parked free at Brundholme, then took the old railway track up to Threlkeld, this was where the climbing started  up past the Blencathra Centre, then more up and along the side of Blease Fell, crossing Glenderaterra Beck and on up to Skiddaw House, this is a hostel / refuge , with no road for miles. It was a perfect day and we made a lunch stop here. We then continued on the long rocky Cumbria Way to Mosedale, here to find a short stretch of tarmac to take us north before joining the old mining tracks on West Fell. These were good unsurfaced tracks and took us close to Branthwaite, high up on the fells, with fabulous views over Hesket Newmarket, way below, and the Solway in the far distance.

We continued on, past Over Water Tarn to Orthwaite, then started the long steep climb up the track past Whitewater Dash waterfall, and eventually back to Skiddaw House. By this time it was starting to get late in the afternoon and time for us to start heading back to Keswick. The trail back, clings to the side of Lonscale Fell / Skiddaw, with a mega drop off on the left of several hundred feet, but marvellous views over towards Blencathra. The trail is very rough in places and with such a dangerous drop was too risky to try riding the severely damaged parts of track, and we had to push in a few places, eventually the trail softened and we enjoyed a long exciting descent down to the start at Brundholme in Keswick. The mileage for this ride was 34 with 5,300ft of ascent. Funny how you don’t feel tired until you stop. Route from MB magazine.

Aug 23rd, saw us meeting at Ingleton, for a tour of Ingleborough. We headed out on the old road to Clapham, through the tunnels and then the long climb via Trowgill up to Sulber Nick. This was a good place for lunch with fantastic views south over the Limestone outcrops and wild open moors. We then continued through Ingleborough nature reserve on the same track, eventually dropping down to cross the River Ribble, then heading north to join The Pennine Way and down the old Roman road to Ribblehead. Here we had a cup of tea in the pub, before crossing under the viaduct and heading north to Winterscales, started to rain at this point, but we continued on heading south west to Ellenbeck and the trek across Scales Moor. Lots of open pot holes and Limestone pavement but no real trail to follow across here, we eventually arrived at Ewes Top (1200ft) before a fabulous descent down Twisleton Scar and back to Ingleton, about 30 miles. Steve guided this ride.

Well, I guess that by now you have a fair idea of what the mountain bike rides are about, as a rule we do not have a ride leader, and simply agree a route before the start, only takes a couple of minutes. However these guys are so keen that they are now subscribing rides, and leading them as well, if you look at the Nov / Dec list you will see that five rides were subscribed.



It has been a memorable year, and I would like to thank the regular riders for their support. Neil, Mark, Steve, Chris, Malcolm, Tim,  Andy and Peter. There is never a dull moment, Steve keeps us going with his jokes and stories, and Neil fixes the bikes when they break. Neil says we are like the last of the summer wine on mountain bikes. I have a short MTB ride coming up on the 11th November, so try and get hold of a mountain bike and come along for some fun and hard work. How about some road ride reports?

Best wishes, Bill.



Wednesday, October 10, 2012

Forest of Bowland Circuit. Sunday 14th October.

Details from Chris Rowley about his ride next Sunday -



If the weather is poor this will be a hard ride of almost  50 miles with two long climbs.  The hills are quite exposed to the weather.   Please meet at High Bentham free car park ( 688694) at 10.00am.  This car park is behind the north side of the main street and can be accessed from Goodenber Road which leaves the west end of the main street.  It is signposted from there.
If you have any difficulty finding this my mobile number is 0777 456 1947.

Car Sharing
If you need, or can offer, a lift please 'phone me at home this week on 01539 732556 and I will attempt to co-ordinate car shares.

The Route.
We ride south from High Bentham across Lythe Fell to Slaidburn  (The Hark of Bounty does morning coffee) and then Dunsop Bridge (Puddleducks Cafe will be open)   This may be a little early for lunch and, since there is nowhere else till Woodies at Caton, sandwiches might be a good standby idea.   After the Trough we ride north past Abbeystead and the Jubilee Tower to Caton.
There is a teashop at Bridge House Farm Wray which we could investigate if we decide not to deviate to Woodies at Caton.  Wray to Low and High Bentham will complete the circuit.


                               Chris


Monday, October 01, 2012

Ten Lakes Tour: Sunday 7 October

Bill Jackson has given us full details of his ride next Sunday. Here's hoping for decent weather...

Starting from Ambleside Rugby Club GR373038  at 10.00 am. Please park at the north end of the car park, car share if you can. Free parking by kind permission of Ambleside Rugby Club.

The ride leaves Ambleside, over Rothay Bridge and on to Clappersgate, Lake Windermere to our left (1) here turning left and heading out towards Hawkshead, but again left at Outgate to take the road to Low Wray, and Wray Castle. The Castle is now open and has a cafe, it is a chance to see inside, so we could make a stop here, if riders would like this. Leaving here we head through High Wray with views over Blelham Tarn (2) and on to Colthouse and Hawkshead, Esthwaite Water (3). We can make a coffee stop here, but don't eat too many cakes because we have a big climb ahead up Skinner Lane and old Hawkshead Hill  to Tarn Hows.(4) If anybody wants to avoid the steep climb from the top of Hawkshead Hill to Tarn Hows they can do so, by continuing on the B5285, we will meet up at the bus stop outside Hollands very nice cafe for lunch in Coniston. Coniston Water to our left. (5). The bus stop is covered in and has a seat for those with a picnic. The ride leaves Coniston on the A593 heading north through Yewdale and soon  passes Yew Tree Tarn (6) before a steep climb to the top of Oxenfell, descending, we take the left turn for Colwith and on to Elterwater (7). There is another opportunity at the Colwith turn to shorten, by continuing on the main road to Ambleside, this would miss out the Elterwater and Grasmere loop.  At Elterwater,  there is a choice of route to Skelwith Bridge, The most scenic is to follow route 37 alongside the River Brathay, but it is unsurfaced and shares with walkers, even so, I would recommend this, most tyres seem ok with the surface and it is a beautiful stretch to cycle. At Skelwith Bridge we meet up with anybody who opted for the main tarmac road. (The route can be shortened here by taking the main road back to Ambleside and missing out the Grasmere loop.)  Leaving Skelwith we turn left at Ellers and start the climb up Loughrigg Fell, soon turning right to follow the loop around Loughrigg Tarn (8) again, this bit is unsurfaced but ok for most tyres. Soon to join the narrow road and continue on over Red Bank to Grasmere (9)  over White Moss and down to Rydal (10). We then turn right over Pelter Bridge and continue on the quite road under Loughrigg Fell back to the start.

Many of you have done this ride with me in the past, but for the benefit of riders new to it, it is never a quick ride and is always ridden at a leisurely pace with plenty of stops, it is very hilly with at least one 25% also two very steep 25% descents from Tarn Hows and Red Bank, which should be treated with great caution depending on the weather and traffic. All we need now is a nice crisp day with some Autumn colours.

Tuesday, September 11, 2012

Saturday ride - Appleby, Kirkby Stephen & Orton

Final details from Mike about his ride scheduled for next Saturday - 15th September 2012

I plan to leave the start point at the old quarry at the top of Orton Scar (GR 628098)at 10:00am, (on the left just before the cattle grid on the B6260) north of Orton. From here we will descend through Crosby Ravensworth, The Meaburns to Bolton, Colby and onto Appleby (15miles). Most of this first part of the route is downhill on good roads, so we should be in Appleby well before 11:30 for tea. There are several tea rooms to choose from.

We leave Appleby and follow cycle route 68 past Burrells and Rutter Force, turning left in Great Asby (up the only arrowed climb of the day) through Soulby and into Kirkby Stephen for lunch (25 miles), again there are several cafes, three chip shops and two Co-ops selling food to choose from (including the cycle friendly Pink Geranium who sell inner tubes and energy gels and have a good selection of cycling magazines).

If the weather is fine I plan to slightly extend the intended route to Hartley and along the cinder surfaced old railway, crossing Podgill and Merrygill viaducts to emerge onto Nateby Road (if it rains we will go straight up to Nateby without this loop).

From Nateby we will continue to Pendragon Castle then turn right up across Wharton Fell and onto Easgill Head then Smardale. From here we cross a ford (which is very slippery, crossing the footbridge is advisable) and fairly steep uphill to Crosby Garrett (very slippery climb if wet). We then retrace our steps to Great Asby (tea, coffee available in the Three Greyhounds) and then the final leg up to Bank Moor and then back to the start point.

The ride length is 50 miles (47 avoiding the Hartley loop). There is some significant climbing, but mainly gentle gradients.The ride can be shortened for those who don't fancy the whole route by returning directly to the start from Great Asby and avoiding the Kirkby Stephen leg.

I rode it on a particularly windy day last weekend and found the drag up from Great Asby to the finish a bit of a slog, but it was a 30mph headwind! Given a calmer day, it's a great ride.

Hopefully this preview won't frighten too many members off!

Telephone Mike on 07557-982522 if you need any more information.

Monday, August 27, 2012

Next Sunday: Between Haverthwaite and Coniston

Details of this Sunday's ride (2 September) from John (all welcome as ever):

Start at Haverthwaite crossroads at 10am.
Ride through Rusland Valley to Grizedale (possible tea stop) on to Moor Top then either through the forest to the top of Hawskhead Hill or down to Hawkshead and up the hill on the other side. Over the hill and round to Tarn Hows and on to Coniston (tea stop).
Back by the east side of the lake to Spark Bridge, then Greenodd, over bridge and back to the starting point. (If wet via Bouth.)

Telephone JOHN on 01229 833798 for more details

Friday, August 17, 2012

Tebay to Kirkby Stephen Scenic Loop - join us this Saturday (18 August)

Here are the details for Jack and Paul's ride this Saturday. It's a beautiful route with some hills but no chevrons on the map! Do join us. Everyone welcome...

From Tebay we follow the old Kirkby Stephen Road keeping off the A685 and using the NEW off road cycle path between Newbiggin-on-Lune to Ravenstonedale. We’ll stop for coffee break at Ravenstonedale. Then head over to Mallerstang (on Tommy Lane drops down to Pendragon Castle) and cruise into Kirkby Stephen on the quiet Mallerstang road. Two very good tea shops and pubs for food in KS.

Route back follows narrow lanes through Crosby Garrett, Little Asby and Orton (tea shop/pub drink here optional, or Tebay Old School House). Jack will bore you about Friends of the Lake District management of Little Asby Common, National Park extensions and some flowers as we look down at Sunbiggin Tarn and the amazing panorama of Dales, Howgills and Eastern Lakes.

Those travelling from Kendal suggest head to Tebay via Walney to Wear NCN Route via Lowgill and come back more direct on the A685.

Call: Jack 01539 727651, or Paul 07768 647745 for more details.
Start/Meet Times: 10.30am at Tebay (outside new Café in Old School House – plenty of parking on roadside), OR 8.45am from Kendal Leisure Centre.
Distance: 32 miles from Tebay (approx 68 miles from Kendal)

Tuesday, July 24, 2012

Bikes go free on Windermere ferry


Windermere Ferry won't be charging for bicycles between 22 and 30 July

This week sees a Drive Less See More Awareness Week unfolding across places like Windermere, Coniston, Grasmere and Ambleside, to help the public understand more about the multitude of sustainable travel options available.
The week started on Sunday July 22nd and runs until Monday 30th July and offers over 20 activities, special offers and dozens of events. Cumbria County Council is offering free travel on the Windermere Ferry for cyclists all week, and has seen a positive uptake and a really good response from cyclists – despite the rain!  There’s also great deals and discounts to be had all week at local hotels, attractions, cafes and transport providers. For more information on the week, visit http://www.golakes.co.uk/travel/Challengeweek.

Thursday, July 19, 2012

Annual mega-ride - Saturday 21 July - Join us if you dare!

Description: A trip into the heart of the Lakes taking in some of the toughest climbs in the area including Hardknott & Wrynose Passes. Strong cyclists only on this one please. Distance 52 miles.

Start from the Windermere Ferry - meeting 9.45am (to allow for the train from Oxenholme/Kendal). There will be numerous challenging climbs. To warm us up is the hill from the Ferry but worse is to come.

We will skirt Hawkshead and head up Hawkshead Hill to Coniston. A severe climb awaits at Torver taking us to Stephenson Ground for a pleasant but hilly lane eventually dropping down to Dunnerdale. No morning tea stops so bring elevenses.We turn left for a short distance before another severe climb at Ulpha which will take us over to Eskdale. The gradient is kind for a while here so to celebrate we will stop for refreshment at Dalegarth Station to ogle at the engines (or anything else which catches our eye) and wonder why the heck we didn't just catch the train.
On a high from our steamy encounter (and hopefully a good dollop of ice cream) we head up the valley to our fate. Hardknott Pass from the west is acknowledged as one of the hardest routes in the land. Let us hope the weather is kind and we do not encounter too many motorists to impede our attempt to get a good line on the curves. Wrynose Pass is next before a long descent to Little Langdale and civilisation. We will then head back to Hawkshead and the Ferry by late afternoon/early evening. The route is hard so expect a low average speed and thus a fairly long day out.

Health warning: An extremely tough ride - riders will need to be able to cycle all or most of the climbs as there will not be the time available to wait for long periods. Also there are no easy get out options once we have gone beyond Coniston.

Sunday, July 15, 2012

Latest on Arnside to Grange cycle route

The Feasibility Study that Sustrans have compiled has been received and they have identified 7 possible routes or route segments on the Meathop side. A copy of the survey will be made available to supporters soon. There are pros and cons for most of the routes. The Farmer on the North side has been approached but is understandably concerned about the project and the impact of dog walkers on his land.

Adrian and Stuart have attended meetings hosted by Suzannah Bleakley of the Morecambe Bay Partnership with the aim of submitting a Joint application for funding from the Coastal Communities fund. The good news is that we are through to the next stage of the application. We now have to get the next stage application prepared before 21 September.

Adrian has had a meeting in Manchester with Jon Kelly of Network Rail to discuss issues such as access, ownership, cost and the GRIP process which is Network Rails process for managing work affecting their infrastructure. The following stages of GRIP would be a “Design Agreement” and then an “Outline Design and Detail Design. Jon was also asked to give an opinion on the proposed routes.

We are hoping to hold meetings soon as ATOG will need formerly establishing with a constitution at which point we will need volunteers to come forward to fill some of the posts in order to push the project forward.

Our Facebook page is now established and there are photos of the old and new viaducts, and comments on the page. Please feel free to have a look and put your views and ideas forward.

Tuesday, July 10, 2012

Further details from Martin about his ride next Saturday 14th July 2012.


Meet at Shap Memorial Hall at 10.30.

From Shap, we cycle through Keld to join the concrete road towards
Burnbanks, with a detour up the secluded valley of Swindale. Proposed lunch
stop at Bampton (pub - I recommend the Emergency Bitter! - or general
store), then we head North to Yanwath, visiting the very impressive Mayburgh Henge (where you can see what 5 million of something looks like!). There's also chance to visit another couple of ancient monuments along the route, if there aren't enough amongst the participants!

From Eamont Bridge, we head South through Lowther Park (I've checked that
this is OK), emerging near Lowther Castle. When I did the reccy, I rode
through Hackthorpe and Great Strickland (tea stop), followed by a long
steady climb to Castlehowe Scar, finishing with a quick descent into Shap,
total distance 34 miles. However, another, easier, option would be to turn
right at the castle and return to Shap along the East side of the valley
through Askham and  Bampton Grange, which I think would be just under 30
miles.

Gradients fairly gentle throughout, apart from the downhill finish into Shap if we take the longer route.

I recommend that you take a snack to eat at the top of Swindale, as once we
leave Shap there are no opportunities to buy refreshments before Bampton.

Monday, July 09, 2012

Further details of Hilary’s ride on Wednesday 11th July 2012, meeting at Kirkby Stephen Market Place at 10.00 am


Here is what Hilary says about the plans for her ride -

Well .. I was going to say that my ride will be as per the programme, ie
decide on the day, but here are the possibilities:
Good weather - up to Tan Hill, down Arkengarthdale to Reeth, up and over
Swaledale back again.  Half good weather - half the ride.  Rotten weather -
circuit of Eden valley to Meaburns, Dufton and back.  Nobody calls me - we
go nowhere!  NB - I'm not in on Tuesday evenings, leave a message.

Don't forget to give me a phone call if you are planning to go on the ride. 01539 563518

Happy electric cycling (the sooner someone fits one to my bike the better
..)

Hil

Monday, July 02, 2012

Sunday, 5th of August - Longsleddale & Ambleside - A bit of both for all ability levels


A ride of two halves, designed especially by Jo MacDonald  for variety of ability levels (new riders are very welcome), starting at Wilf's, returning for coffee / lunch. The morning route will head East on small, quiet roads, and will include some riding on bridleways, and about a mile of walking with your bike, (so no road tyres/ shoes!), then return via Sadgill into Kentmere. This part of the route can be made longer or shorter dependant on ability level of all riders. We might not find a cafe venue in the morning, so bring your own mid morning munchies in case!

We will have a lunch break back at Staveley, so you are welcome to come for just the morning ride, just the afternoon ­ or of course ­ both parts!

We will depart Staveley again around 1 pm, and remain on road for the afternoon section, (we might not be able to avoid some busy road sections ­but route is flexible dependant on group). We will slot in another refreshment stop if required mid-afternoon ­ or just keep peddling, and wind our way back to Wilf’s, possibly over the gated road.

Starts at 9.30am from Wilf’s Café, Staveley for the AM Longsleddale ride, and departs around 1.00 pm for the  Ambleside ride. Distance 25 + 25 miles    


Leader: Jo MacDonald  -- email:  jo@jamie-macdonald.com  --  mobile: 07834 729951

Wednesday, June 06, 2012

Ride to Malham,Littondale & Halton Gill

Sunday 10th June at 10.15 - Start point is Settle railway station (free parking on the road behind the station. This can be accessed by taking the next right after the station road and then right again). The ride is 30 miles and overall is classed as fairly strenuous. It starts with a steep climb out of Settle heading for Kirby Malham / Malham. It then heads up past Malham Cove to the west of the tarn over to Arncliffe. Arncliffe and Litton are the lunch stop options with 2 pubs (Falcon Inn and Queens Arms). They do teas / coffees / sandwiches etc. there used to be a tea room but I'm not sure that it is now open. Suggest riders bring their own supplies if they don't fancy the pubs. The route then goes on to Halton Gill before heading steeply over to Stainforth. It then crosses the railway / river to head back down to Settle. I'm not proposing any tea stop before lunch because the options around , Malham are just too early. Ride leader Steve Warner.

The Sam Houghton Mountain Bike Challenge - Saturday June 9th 2012



The Sam Houghton Mountain Bike Challenge 2011







The Challenge is a timed mountain bike ride starting and finishing at the Mill Yard, Staveley and covering the Longsleddale, Kentmere & Troutbeck Valleys and taking in Garburn Pass.  It is organised in memory of Sam Houghton, a keen mountain biker who sadly lost his battle against cancer and died aged only 22 in May 2006. All proceeds from this event will be donated to Cancer Research UK.
The 2011 event was a great success with a record number of riders enjoying the Staveley sunshine.  
With all the tremendous support the event raised their biggest ever total, a whopping £16348.25.  

Event Details -  

Entries will be accepted on the day ONLY IF there are any remaining places.
Both the long and short courses start and finish outside Wheelbase in Staveley Mill Yard.  Starts are grouped at 5 minute intervals between 11.30 and 13.30; start times will be allocated on entry.
Entries are available for both the long and short course for the following categories:
  • Solo (male or female)
  • Pair (male, female or mixed)
  • Team (groups of 3 or 4)
  • Family

Routes

·         Both routes start and finish outside Wheelbase in Staveley Mill Yard. 
·         SHORT COURSE (approx. 25km with 700m ascent)
·         LONG COURSE (approx. 46km with 1400m ascent)

Route map are available on the day, or on the web site http://samhoughtonchallenge.co.uk/routes.html, and the courses are well signed with marshalls at regular intervals.  There are a number of checkpoints around the course where riders must give their event numbers and light refreshments will be available.  All riders get an end of race meal courtesy of Wilf’s café.
Presentations take place in the Hawkshead Brewery beer hall in Staveley Mill Yard from 19.30, followed by a post-race bash with a live band.

Further details on the event web site -  http://samhoughtonchallenge.co.uk/index.html

Wednesday, May 16, 2012

Exciting new project: Biked Up Pedal Powered young people recruitment


Biked Up, Pedal Powered by Creative Transition -Part of SLACCTT  - May 2012

The project

Biked Up Pedal Powered is a ground-breaking project for young people in the South Lakes to get involved with shaping our future.    
There are three key areas of work:
  •    recruiting, mentoring and training a group of young producers who we will train and mentor in event management - through existing and new contacts in schools (QKS, the Lakes School, Kirkby Kendal), youth clubs, the performing arts college and local housing estates. 
  •   joint delivery of an event at Mintfest, including recruiting dancers, choreography and music composition,  recruitment through social networks, initial taster sessions and a week of development and performance.
  • joint build and maintenance of a ‘big-bike-battery’ – up to 30 bike generators to power this and further events and festivals, such as Staveley Carnival and the Windermere green gathering.
The first outing for Biked Up Pedal Powered is a bike-dance performance by local young street/stunt-bikers choreographed professionally with the Brewery.  The music for the show will be powered by the audience itself, pedalling adapted cycles which act as bike-generators.  The show will be part of Mintfest, September 2012.  It’s fun, quirky, and very skilled.
We will then work with our other networks across the Lakes, including TACT (Windermere) and PACT (Penrith) to find more opportunities for the young producers to participate in events using the bike-bike-battery and bike or other performance.
The project is important in combating poor efforts to address climate change despite dramatic events like the Cumbrian floods of 2010. 
Our Transition groups have a history of successful campaigns but tend to focus on energy, transport and building. 
The Creative Transition group says that a sustainable future depends as much on a healthy local community as care for our resources.  We will take a new, optimistic approach to the challenge of climate change involving people in a real and optimistic approach to a low carbon future. 
By working with young people, we hope to tap into their young energy and really effective social networks.  

The impact

We will use this project to make a step change to Transition in the South Lakes by cementing partnerships with: the Brewery – the cultural heart of Kendal; Lakes Alive, the flagship national and international festival organinsation; the transition network; the district council through our practical project management and a new group of activists , mostly young people, their families, clubs and schools. 
The project is a springboard for a group of young producers to be trained in event management and social entrepreneurship to continue to be active in the South Lakes.  It will introduce a group of young engineers to simple and sustainable engineering solutions to our energy challenges.  The ‘big-bike-battery’ will be used at festivals and events for the next five years, as a fun ‘green’ alternative power source. 
The project will reach: 10 young producers, 6 young engineers, taster sessions in four venues for up to 60, a performance by up to 30 young people, a group of 10 adults to mentor the young people and help build the bike generators.
The message will be shared initially with target audiences of: local young people and their families, around 150; their schools, in the region of 3,000 young people; the Mintfest festival audience expected to be 2,000 on the night of our performance; the Mintfest tourist and community audience through publicity materials, around 25,000.
Finally we will share our experiences nationally through the transition research network organised by CRESC, the new companion to the Transition Handbook on culture; and specialist arts and events media, including through ISAN.

The partners


The project is led by Creative Transition, a sub-group of the charity South Lakes Action on Climate Change – Towards Transition.  SLACCTT is part of the Transition Town Network, an associated group of the Campaign Against Climate Change and a member of Cumbria Sustainability Network.
We have a track record of facilitating grass-roots action since 2007; five active groups; 500 people on our mailing list and an ongoing programme of film screenings, talks, workshops and discussion groups.  See www.slacc.org.uk for our many projects, for example running the annual CycleFest event and cycling promotions and running Home Energy Action Together (HEAT).  This project takes us into arts and culture, an underdeveloped area for us and the Transition movement more generally, through two significant new partnerships with award-winning arts organisations. 
Mandy Barnett will be leading the voluntary SLACCTT team.  She is a climate activist; a consultant in participatory arts and formerly a designer and project manager.   She is part of the national Happy Museum project promoting sustainable well-being.
The Brewery Arts Centre is a vibrant centre for the community and tourists sitting at the gateway to the lakes.  Brewery Youth Arts provides fun, high quality creative experiences for young people from 18 months to 20 years www.breweryarts.org.uk. Paul Singleton, the development director, will be leading.  Choreography will be led by Helen Moffitt, who has 10 years’ experience developing community dance programmes. 
Mintfest is the main annual Lakes Alive project for Kendal Arts International (KAI) which creates international quality outdoor arts events since 2006.  KAI is a member of ISAN, the Independent Street Arts Network and a Without Walls, a consortium of 8 of the UK's most strategically significant outdoor arts festivals www.lakesalive.org.uk.  Jan Shorrock, marketing manager, will lead

Monday, April 16, 2012

South Lakes Action on Climate Change - Transport Group meeting on Tuesday 24 April

This from Liz Ashburn, South Lakeland Action on Climate Change - Towards Transition, Transport Group Co-ordinator...

There will be a Transport Group meeting at 7.30 pm on Tuesday 24th April in the Intro Bar at the Brewery.

We are working with Lavahouse, a small local web and media design company, on a project to increase cycling and walking in the town centre, funded by South Lakeland District Council. The primary aim is to improve air quality on the town's streets, which frequently exceeds EU thresholds, but as this also affects other SLACC's environmental objectives, we are partnering Lavahouse on this project. Our inputs will be to run the Cycle Challenge and Cycling Skills for Adults sessions again this year, funded by the project which will enable us to expand the sessions and involve more workplaces and community groups in the Challenge with an updated web site.

Arrangements for this project are advancing, and it would be useful to have a meeting to share out the tasks associated with the Challenge and Skills Sessions. There are a variety of ways to help; ranging from helping with breakfast smoothies for Challenge participants to meeting and greeting Cycling Skills arrivals.

We would love to see you on the 24th; however if you would like to help but can't make this date, please contact me either before or after the meeting.

Hope to see you on the 24th,

Liz

Thursday, February 09, 2012

Something to be aware of when you buy your next bike.

When purchasing a bicycle........

no matter how cute you are......

be SURE to consider the colour of the seat!

 also consider what your T shirt says .........
what does hers say - ?uck ?