BB1616 : In Praise Of Padded Knickers

Wednesday 27th April 2016

Apart from padded knickers, I had no idea what to wear today.  Had it been a normal day on the fells, I would have been alright, though probably carrying too much spare clothing in my rucksack.

However, we weren't going out on the fells, we weren't planning to carry rucksacks and, what is more, the weather didn't know that it was nearly May.

You may recall that our 2015 Christmas Outing BB1539 was in Grizedale Forest on electric bikes.  The weather was not kind to us but the proprietor of VeloBikes was.  He offered us a second helping which we gratefully accepted and scheduled for today.

More fools we.  Winter had returned.  It was what we might have expected in mid-December.  Overnight snow.  Freezing start to the day. Bitter winds. Wintry showers coming in which the Met Office usefully predicted would increase bodily cooling especially if clothing gets wet.

On the other hand, we would mainly be on the trails through the forest so we should expect some degree of shelter.    

In the end (I know you really want to know this) I opted to wear my padded knickers underneath padded tights.  The logic being that two pairs of padding in the nether zone should make for a more comfortable ride.

At least there was no dilemma about what to put in the sandwiches- nothing.  Café !!

Sadly we were unable to field the full team from BB1539 but six brave souls reported for action.

Ready for the off

Ponies unimpressed

Our plan was to focus on the eastern side of Grizedale Forest as last time we had gone west.  For a short while were extremely worried as it started to snow some three hours earlier than predicted.  Fortunately it was just a flurry but it was cold zooming around the trails on the electric bikes. However those motors do make life a lot easier.

Which way now?f

Comitibus : Grizedale Forest

There is just one incident to report.

Mike and Roger were out in the lead and I decided to join them. I arrived at what I thought was the middle of the ample gap between them but something went wrong and the next thing I knew Roger and I were no longer on bikes.  

Much worse than my pride being wounded, there was now a hole in my tights!

Initially we were concerned about Roger but fortunately he soon rallied.

Two men down

Mike said afterwards that it was a good job it wasn't him with whom I tangled.  At 18 stone (plus?) I quite agree!

We returned the bikes at the surprisingly early time of 11:30.  It was tempting to carry on but half way through a Cornish pasty in the café it was clear we had made the right decision.  It had turned very nasty outside with snow and hail.

The weather was not so bad that it prevented us having a second refreshment stop- at the Eagle's Head at Satterthaite. For the avoidance of doubt, of course we drove there.   

We were amused by the wifi code:

So putting the two outings together, we had the best part of a full day's adventure in the forest and I am pleased to report that my padded knickers did their job.  But next time I'll wear knee pads as well.

Don, Wednesday 27th April 2016

 

STATISTICS

BB1616

Date:

Wednesday 27th April 2016

Distance in miles:

13.6 (Garmin)

Height climbed in feet:

1,651 (Memory Map)

Features:

Grizedale Forest

Comitibus:

Don, John Hn, Mike, Roger, Stan, Terry,

 

BOOTboys routes are put online in gpx format which should work with most mapping software. You can follow our route in detail by downloading bb1616 .

To discover which Wainwright top was visited on which BB outing - although it may not be that up to date - or for the totals of   the mileages and heights (ditto) see the Excel file: BB Log.

You can navigate to the required report via the Home Page

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Wainwrights

To see which Wainwright top was visited on which BB outing see Which Wainwright When? This may or may not be up to date!

For the latest totals of the mileages, heights and Lakeland Fells Books Wainwrights see: Wainwrights.
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BOOTboys 2016

 

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