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
