Monkii and the Siltarp

Monkii Cage on the Salsa Fargo V2 forks, more braze-ons than you can
shake a stick at!!

Last nights ride to Jenny Browns Point gave me an oppertunity to try the Monkii Cages on my On One bike. When I built the bike I decided on Salsa forks to give me the possibility to use "Anything Cages", however these haven't been available since last Autumn, (and won't be available until the end of June at the earliest!) The next best option seems to be the Monkii Cage, the carring capacity is less but there are't many options. I rode a fair bit of off-road with my Siltarp 1 in one cage and a bivibag in the other there was no movement, so a success so far.

Siltarp 1 with the 29er On one as support

I intend doing a bit of Bikepacking this year, hence the Monkii Cages above. I have seen a few pitching options for a tarp using the bike as support, last night I put my best idea into practice. I was pleased with the result, the benefit of the bike being a 29er means a bit of extra headroom. Of course no need to carry poles when you use this option. Plenty of space under what is really quite a small piece of fabric.

Once I've used the gear in anger I might do a proper report.

Jenny Browns Point

An early start at work this morning meant an early finish. Jenny Browns point near Silverdale was the destination for this evenings ride. Only a modest distance of about 12 miles there and back, but the weather was so good it was a shame to tear about....besides I had some gear to try! I'll post about that later.

Rather pleasing new signs featuring the Bittern

On the permissive bridleway near Haweswater it would seem
On Ones grow on trees!

I always like this tree, and tonight it looked particularly impressive

The huge stone chair at Jenny Browns Point

Looking out over Morecambe Bay from the stone chair at Jenny Browns Point 

Cockpit Change

That's on my On One Inbred 29er! When I built this bike over last Winter ( It has finished now hasn't it?) I wanted dirt-drop handlebars, specifically Midge bars. Initially I was very happy with the layout, however as time has passed and I've ridden the the bike more I've had to accept that drop bars off-road aren't for me. So.....

Original set up with Midge bars and bar end shifters.

New set up flat bars with trigger shifters etc. 

Its all change! On One flat bars with Ergon copy grips and trigger shifters rather than bar end shifters. The overall riding position is not quite as stretched out, and possibly slightly more control. Early days yet, so I'll see what I think.

First ride of the year

My lunch stop on the lane on the one-way road down to Coniston Water
from Tarn Hows. Wetherlam behind, losing its winter coat.

Good to be back out on the motorbike. Today was the first proper ride this year, I'm a fair weather motorcyclist these days. But with a bit more of a Spring feel in the air it was time to get the GS out. I rode round the lanes of the Southern Lakes relishing the warmth of the sun at last!

Smardale

Smardale Bridge, this is an untouched image and shows the total lack of
growth of any vegitation

A very short and almost flat walk along the Smardale valley. (Mostly on a disused railway track) The wind was bitter and it tried to snow. A Red Squirrel was seen, sadly not by me. The cold weather is holding nature back, virtually nothing budding yet. We had a long chat with a chap who was out from Kirkby Stephen with a full pack practicing for the TGOC. We were rather glad to get back to the car and out of the wind.

The Borrowdale Bash

The Borrowdale Bash, well known in Mountain Biking circles!
The first climb of the day is on tarmac, part way along the lane to
Watendlath is surprise view.

Watendlath Tarn had quite a ripple on it today. I took the chance to have
a breather before the steep and (for me) unrideable bridleway over to
Rosthwaite.

Just over the col ,and the fells round Borrowdale where looking fantastic.

Its a steep and rocky descent down to Rosthwaite. I stopped halfway
down for my butties, admiring the view. I was surprised how few folk were
about, suits me tho!

The narrow walled bridleway from Rosthwaite to Stonethwaite is flat but
rocky. I stopped many times to stand and stare.

Eagle Crag from near the bridge at Stonethwaite

From Seatoller I had a ride up to Seathwite and beyond. I then retraced my
steps? and rode through Seatoller up Honister. What a killer, I'd forgotton
 how steep and prolonged it is.

I picked up the bridleway whichwould eventually take me to Grange,
almost 3 miles of downhill.

The bridleway contours the western slopes of Borrowdale, below
Dale Head and High Spy. Castle Crag dominates the view.

Looking back from whence I'd come. Great End really looked plastered in snow.

This is a scene which always stops me in my tracks. Skiddaw looking at its best
This is the final and most technical part of the descent.

A further couple climbs allows you to ride the Bridleways under Maiden Moor
 and Catbells. Skkidaw and Blencathra much in evidence and compensating
for the climbs so late in the day.
From the end of the bridleway just a short stretch of road brought me
back to the car at  Portinscale. Agreat day.

Kentmere Horseshoe

The view from near  Brockstones in Kentmere to the head of the valley.
 The sun was peaking out between the clouds, sadly this didn't last.

Looking South from just below the summit of Shipman Knotts.
Not much snow on these South facing slopes

North from Shipman Knotts, the way onward over Kentmere Pike

As I started to climb the broad Southern slope of Kentmere Pike the
snow became deeper. These are the drifts at the stile near Rough Crags

Kentmere Pike, and so far I hadn't seen anyone!

The Pennines seemed to be getting some more snow as I reached
Harter Fell. 

I had to use the Ice axe on the descent to Nan Bield, the frozen Small Water
was a distraction below.

Yoke, Ill Bell and Froswick seen from the descent to Nan Bield,
Kentmere Reservoir unfrozen.

The white wasteland that was High Street today. The wind was whipping
across the plateau making it bitterly cold.

Yoke, Ill Bell and Froswick from the wall on High Street.
Not much shelter behind the wall today.

South from Thornthwaite Beacon.

I met several largish parties on the ascent of Froswick. They were
struggling with the wind polished snow/ice. I had the better of it going
South. Just the climb of Ill Bell from here.

The Northern of the two lage cairns on Ill Bell, the Helvellyn range
over its shoulder.

The Southernmost of the cairns on Ill Bell, still no sun. Windermere Lake
glints from here, on a better day

Looking back at some of the hills I'd climbed earlier. All downhill from here.

Having dropped down to Garburn Pass I followed the track down into
Kentmere. This is Badger Rock much used by climbers for bouldering.
I just had to walk across the valley to the car, of course the sun
reappeared!