Garrigill ( Nr.Alston ) Cumbria 7.5.22. 10.00am meet .

[The Hodge]

You've got to like a climb for this one as it nudges near to the 700m contour ..its a tough old ride ..the outward leg climbs and skirts the side of Cross Fell..Gregs Hut ..dropping steeply down The Screes to Kirkland .
The return from Kirkland climbs steeply to Man at Edge past Megs Cairn on the Maiden Way..and drops to the A686 west of Alston ..where we finish on a minor road back to the start..
You'll need your big boy pants on for this ..so who is up for it ?

 

[The Hodge]

The EMF & Jaco ..confirmed so far ..anyone else ?

 

[Richywalker64]

Yeah sounds good we'd love to come along if you have room for 2 more

 

[The Hodge]

Hi Richy ..
100% ..we are meeting at 10.00am now in Garrigill village I don't think we will miss each other ..you might well need that piggyback battery this time ..
Look forward to seeing you there

 

[Richywalker64]

Great looking forward to it

 

[The EMF]

Great looking forward to it

Be good to ride out again

 

[philmedomsley]

Great route, wish I could make it.

 

[drewbirks]

Will my 480w make it

 

[Beaker2135]

Gutted I can’t make this. One of these days..

 

[The Hodge]

Will my 480w make it

I really wouldn't like to say Drew ..I'm panicking slightly with my 625w.

 

[Richywalker64]

I really wouldn't like to say Drew ..I'm panicking slightly with my 625w.

Do you have any idea of milage?

 

[The Hodge]

Do you have any idea of milage?

Roughly ..20miles..
But that's me just counting grid squares ..

 

[drewbirks]

I really wouldn't like to say Drew ..I'm panicking slightly with my 625w.

I've always wanted to bike in that area, so all been well see you tomorrow morning

 

[The Hodge]

I've always wanted to bike in that area, so all been well see you tomorrow morning

Fantastic ..it will be good to see you again Drew ..

 

[Beaker2135]

Have a good day.
I’m stuck at Manchester T2 arrivals waiting for Mrs Beaker

 

[The Hodge]

It was a good day Mr.Beaker ..but saw that you got out anyway ..
Saying that ..if I had one word to sum up the route that word would be " brutal " ...it started well as the steep climb out of Garrigill has been re-surfaced making the climb manageable..but after a short stop to re-group after about 1000ft of climbing.. a conversation about backpacks had Jaco realising that his was keeping the stone wall warm next to where we parked in the village ..which had his wallet & mobile phone in it ..so with the promise that we would wait at Greg's Hut bothy ..off he went to retrieve it !
The re-surfacing work continued to the " Rake End " junction when things started to get interesting in terms of the technicality ramping up ..having got to the Bothy we were soon joined again by Jaco ..seriously the bloke is amazing and if there is a fitter 75yr old out there I've not yet met him ..
The drop down to Kirkland was fantastic ..the definite highlight of the day ..however the climb ( push ) out on The Maiden Way as far as Megs Cairn was definitely pay back for all that fun ..although I enjoyed the wet / boggy but rocky in places descent down the other side just as much as the fast drop to Kirkland ..
Many thanks to Richy, Michael ( good meeting you ) & Drew for taking a leap of faith and travelling a not inconsiderable way to get there ..also Wayne & Jaco my usual riding buddies..
There wasn't too much left in the tank at the end of the ride both bike & rider ..probably just enough to post a few pics before I crash ..
I really don't know the stats for the ride either as my recording paused part way around ..but guesstimate would be in excess of 20miles and approx 4000+ ft of climbing .
L-R Richy ,Michael & Wayne

The dot on the horizon is Drew ..

After we'd finished gassing we thought we'd better go after him ..

Greg's Hut Bothy ..

..and Jaco about to join us again ..

A happy chappy now that he's re-united with his pack ..

In the far distance ..mountains in the Lake District

Start of the drop down to the Hartside Road west of Alston on the Maiden Way ..

The final splash..

Cheers lads

 

[The EMF]

@The Hodge ……..a truly brilliant ride out today in perfect conditions. Good to meet up with familiar faces also good to meet Mike.
I’m totally goosed. Thanks Neil for eeking out such a great route. Hopefully ride with you all again soon. Great craic, great company and a throughly great day out in the bikes

 

[Richywalker64]

Yes it was an excellent day out, was great to catch up again and thanks for organising it and planning the route
It's one of the toughest rides I've done for a while and I'm knackered too

 

[Beaker2135]

Sounds an epic day. They have been doing the roof at Greggs Hut so I’m not surprised they have improved the road, it’s always boggy up there even at the height of summer
We’ll done to everyone for completing a touch day

 

[drewbirks]

Great ride out, felt invigorated afterwards which was a surprise. Thanks for organising Neil and great to meet up with new and familiar acquaintances
Drew

 

[The Hodge]

Great ride out, felt totally knackered afterwards....

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Fixed that for you Drew..

 

[mbee123]

Really enjoyed the ride and meeting such a nice bunch of lads, special thanks to Neil for organising and making me feel so welcome

Some great pics there, will definitely tag along again if you'll have me! Hopefully on a slightly shorter ride as the last 3 mile without battery were not much fun

 

[The Hodge]

It was great to meet you Michael ..and it goes without saying that you will be more than welcome on any future rides ..but yeah that last 3 miles would have been less than welcome after what had gone before ..
Catch up soon