Categories: Uncategorized | July 19th, 2010 | by Clare | no comments
Taster session Borrowdale 19th July 2010.
Borrowdale near Tebay was the venue for Mountain Bike Skills first half day taster session. The session went swimmingly thanks to buckets of enthusiasm Joss and his Aunty Jo. To say the weather was wet would be the understatement of the century.
The river running through Borrowdale was raging and water was running down every hill. After some initial bike set up we set off along the valley doing a few skills drills as we went. By the time we reached High Borrowdale House Joss and Jo were flying.
Well done you two hope to see you again soon on another course.
Categories: Mountain Bike Skills Courses | July 19th, 2010 | by Clare | no comments
Intermediate Skills course Rivington 16th July.
Believe it or not on the morning of their course Jess, Clive and myself were discussing a severe weather warning that had been issued for the North West. Flash floods and gale force winds were making driving conditions hazardous so we decided to meet a little later than planned. What a great decision that turned out to be, the rain was all but stopped by the time we were riding at eleven and the weather continued to improve throughout the afternoon. Jess and Clive worked hard on new techniques and improving on existing skills. By the afternoon the sun was out skies were blue and both riders completed the rock steps off the Pike. More Pics at Mountain Bike Skills Face Book.
Well done guys, look forward to seeing you up in the lakes for the next instalment.
Categories: Uncategorized | July 12th, 2010 | by Clare | no comments
Grizdale 1-2-1 9th July 2010.
Had a great day out with Dan Littlehales at Grizdale! Dan who is more used to surfing the rollers breaking on the coast of Sydney down under, donned wet weather gear and got stuck into a how not to crash course at one of the Lake District best trail centres. The weather wasn’t the best, well actually it poured down most of the morning but spirits remained un- dampened and by lunchtime he was doing bunny hops, wheelies, riding single track and board walk, drop off’s and steep rocky climbs.
We had lunch back at the visitor centre and then set off in search of the faster trails that finish back at the car park. We used the same section a couple of times to give Dan a go at the same jumps (You Tube) and faster corners. Smiles all round with a mud splattered face what more can you ask for.
His 1-2-1 session was a present from a generous aunt for his 18th birthday, hope to see you for your 21st Dan for a big ride in the mountains. Have a safe trip back to OZ and keep riding fella your a natural.
Categories: Uncategorized | June 4th, 2010 | by Clare | no comments
Kirsty and Graham first came on a skills course back at the start of April up in the Howgills on a cold day with snow still on the hills. It was their first proper off road ride and it proved to be a tough one. The couple hired bikes for the day and made great progress. What they lacked in bike fitness they made up for with masses of enthusiasum. 
They obviousley caught the bug, as after a few emails and many an hour surfing the net, the pair bought HIS N HERS matching Marin Wolfridge bikes. They took their new bikes and re-traced their steps from the course and Kirsty had a bit of a dunking. Ever suportive Graham got some shots (see below) of the slip so Kirsty could see where she went wrong.
Nice one Graham!
Any way she didn’t drown and th etwo of them came back at the end of May in fantastic weather to ride around Kentmere.
No dramas but there was talk lots of talk from Graham about losing his PUFF!
Below is a picture that sums up Kentmere hard climbs but great views and wicked descents.
Looking forward to taking Graham and Kirsty to Grizdale for their first taste at a trail centre.
Categories: Uncategorized | May 24th, 2010 | by Clare | no comments
Scorching hot day out on the Howgills Sunday 23rd May intermediate course.
Big well done to Paul, Ian and Andy for efforts above and beyond the call of duty. The hills around Sedburgh are hard enough but in tempratures reaching 28 degrees we were well baked by the end of the day. Still musn’t grumble the trails were baked hard and super fast.
The three of them are off to the Alps in a few weeks and used this skills day to top up on skills before they go. New skills they picked up included- advanced negative positions for drop offs, compression front wheel lifts, rear wheel lifts, bunny hops and wheelies.
Below are the trio after climbing up from Ravenstondale just before a long descent down to Murthwaite Park.
Below is Ian demonstrating good negative form on a six foot drop off.
More pics at Face Book and a You Tube clip of Paul practicing his bunny hops.
Well done guys top day I look forward to a repeat performance later in the year.
Categories: Uncategorized | May 17th, 2010 | by Clare | no comments
From left to right John, Lee, Liz, Paul, Dave and Keith Saturday 15th May Beginners/Intermediate skills course.
Great day out with all riders making great improvements John, Lee, Paul and Dave did the rock slabs off the pike for the first time and celebrated with this picture below.
Four Big Guns
We had a few technical dismounts throughout the day but nothing life threatening. Worst spill of the day went to me at the lower barn in front of loads of people. It involved mayonase which dripped off my sandwich and landed on my crotch (looked well dodgey) fortunately for me Lee and Paul pointed it out quietly before i could shock any old ladies! Thanks boys. Best pic of the day was this one of Lee doing the Big One (Lee look at your fingers keep those brakes dragging)
Looking forward to seeing you guys up at Grizdale. Thanks again for an excellent day.
Lots more pics at Face Book and a video on U-tube
Categories: Uncategorized | May 10th, 2010 | by mikestafford | no comments
Great day out Saturday 8th May with (ave a go) Richard, Fit Ste,(white leg) Dave and (not as fit Ste)
All seen below in order of appearance doing a negative three drop off.
Richard was on a borrowed hardtail bike of mixed origins but couldn’t be talked out of any of the drills including riding down a set of 80 steps at the top of the Pike. By the end of the day we were getting used to me pointing out the short falls of the bike he was on and him saying “I’ll ave go anyway” Well done mate.
Next down is Fit Ste so fit he rides round without a seat on his bike (see pic no. 2) Only kidding we found that the post was bent and wouldn’t adjust low enough for a bigger drop off. Perfect position over the back wheel.
Then there was Dave we all had to wear sunglasses against the glare from his legs. Rumour has it he can ride at night using just the light emitting from his white legs.
Last of all the other Ste who on the day won most colour co-ordinated rider.
All in all good all round with fantastic views from the top.
Categories: Uncategorized | April 28th, 2010 | by mikestafford | no comments
Four top blokes and a top day at Rivington. Here below are Peter, Jamie, Ivan and Eddie.
Great day out guys see you in The Lakes over summer. Will order blue skies and sunshine when the day comes.
Categories: Uncategorized | April 28th, 2010 | by mikestafford | no comments
Beginners Course April 24th Rivington.
Great day out with Chris and Sandra this weekend. Sandra’s second beginners course with Mountain Bike Skills and her riding is comming on in leaps and bounds. Here she is practicing a drop off.
Good shot of Chris on the Pike. Usually dont use this section for a beginners course but Chris was riding really well and had no problem with this tech section.
Categories: Uncategorized | April 28th, 2010 | by mikestafford | no comments
Well done to Ian seen below at the bottom of the Pike section rode it straight and true and took the step section in his stride.
Below is Ian pacticing his drop off technique.
Thats a good negative three on a big bike, well done mate.
See you through the summer in Gods country.
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