Day 2: Sunday 20 July - Grasmere to Kirkby Stephen

Thanks to the youth hostel breakfast, we managed to get our bikes and be away by 8:15. We freewheeled down into Grasmere, before the tarmac climb up to the top of Loughrigg terrace. The sun was shining and we all really enjoyed this descent. It's usually very busy with walkers, but our early start was paying dividends as we enjoyed a clear run.

Matt on Loughrigg terrace

We rolled into Ambleside and headed for Biketreks (http://www.biketreks.net/), Hedd and Ad needed to replace rear disc brake rotors damaged during day 1's hike-a-bike. When we described our day 1 route, the Biketreks boys were pretty scathing about Greenup Edge (the descent from Langdale combe is much more ridable apparently - one for next time!).

After a brief delay to buy some lunch we were on our way again, climbing Jenkin Crag with great views over Windermere.

The start of the Jenkin Crag climb

Our progress was slowed by Matt taking another tumble into a stream (much to the amusement of some passing walkers). This route is definately better in the opposite direction, but we all enjoyed a fast drop into Troutbeck all the same.

Our climb up the Garburn Pass started on tarmac, but soon we were racing along the track past Dubbs reservoir. We went through a gate and the proper climb started, with some really challenging steep and rocky sections and great views over the Troutbeck valley and back to Windermere.

Ed climbing up to the Garburn Pass

Matt, Ed, Hedd & Ad at the top of the Garburn Pass

The Garburn Pass descent into Kentmere was a real highlight, rocky and fast with a few short technical sections to keep us on our toes. We stopped at the bottom to eat some lunch and swap our 'near miss' stories from the descent.

Lunch at the bottom of the Garburn Pass

Kentmere was really busy as there seemed to be a fell running event being based there. We weaved between competitors and spectators and left them all behind for the climb on tarmac and then tracks over Stile end. We were at the top in no time and really enjoyed the descent to Sadgill. It was another fast one, with just a short technical section. The sun was shining and this was turning into a very good day!

Ed on the descent to Sadgill

Coast to coast purists would head North from Sadgill and make their way towards Shap, but really boggy conditions meant that we were heading South to Murthwaite for some grassy climbs and descents which took us to the A6. We headed North, passed by some very fast motorbikers taking the corners horizontally, and after a pretty painful climb we dropped down into Borrowdale and left the tarmac behind.

The team head into Borrowdale

As we followed the river downstream we had some navigational issues. The bridleway shown on the left bank on the map just couldn't be found. We forded the river and took the easy track on the right bank instead.

Hedd wasting no time with the ford in Borrowdale

Stu and Ad (team Orange) re-cross the stream in Borrowdale

All was going well until the climb over Roundthwaite Common. We could see it winding away to our left but were just hoping it wasn't our route. We were already pretty tired and all found it really tough.

Ed on the tough climb out of Borrowdale

As we reached the top and took in the view, we all agreed we had never been so pleased to see the M6. This landmark meant that the Lake District was behind us, but we still had a fair bit of distance to cover before we reached our campsite in Kirkby Stephen.

Matt at the bottom of the Roundthwaite Common descent

We decided on a pub stop in Tebay (The Cross Keys Inn) to refill water bottles and fuel up on drinks and crisps. By now it was 5pm and we had another 15miles to cover, approximately 50:50 onroad:offroad.

The pub stop in Tebay

The onroad part seemed to pass in no time and we all got together and made our way onto the bridlepaths that headed for Smardale Fell. With a shout of "Come on lads, just one more climb!", we fought our way up the mainly rideable trails towards the Fell. We reached false summit after false summit until, just as we were starting to believe this would go on forever, we reached the summit and started heading downwards on a fun, grassy track.

Matt climbing Smardale Fell

After a few miles on the road, we cycled through the centre of Kirkby Stephen to reach the Pennine View campsite at 6:30pm. We were relieved to have made it and were begining to belive that the worst was now behind us.

We showered and made our way back to the Croglin Castle Hotel for more fuel!