Day 8: Saturday 8th January 2011

I have been looking forward today all week. For today is the first time in 2011 that I got out and did a proper mountain bike ride. The sport that this whole adventure is really about. I said that I fell in love in 2010, this is true, but it is more honest to say that I fell in love twice. And one of those defining events involved me, a bike and a hill; for 2010 was when I realised that throwing myself down fells and rocks on the back of a bike was what I loved to do. With incredibly alacrity Amy slid 3 mountain bikes, 3 rucksacks and a pressure washer into the back of her Volvo whilst J and I installed ourselves in the remaining space. The trip to Elterwater was stunning; once we left the sunny hollow of Kendal behind the Lakeland fells opened themselves up in snowy, expansive fashion and the glimpses of the Langdales, over the waters of Windermere and as we approached our destination, were something truly special. Especially given that it is two years this week since J’s close friend died in a tragic accident in those stunning but unforgiving fells. There was a sense looking over at the snowy tops that we were able to be somehow closer to him as we set off towards Little Langdale and up a rather strenuous hill.

Sliding between sheets of ice and large rocks I made something of a hash of that first ascent and once again I was fired with the desire to improve, to get fitter and stronger so that I don’t need to stop start on a bike.  The tarmac descent towards The Three Shires was a little hairy given the dots of ice scattered at random intervals but through a freezing ford (where I went axle and ankle deep) and up another hill the effort all began to make sense. The descents were free and the views were magnificent. I had a truly magical time picking a line through ice covered descents whilst the snow began to fall on us and the Langdales frowned down through the deep purple snow clouds. The descent of Iron Keld was great fun and I am already looking forward to having a second crack at that when the weather improves. I imagine it is fast,grassy heaven without the ice and snow.

Back at the car Amy’s pressure washer showed it’s mettle and I am now on a definite saving up mission for the same. The bikes washed and cheese and pickle sandwiches devoured we made our way, after a quick nine mile blast back to Kendal just as the light was fading. The day was all it promised and I was as deeply in love with my beautiful Specialised as ever.