Dalby Forest
This was our second planned glamping weekend with the Cardens and included all the usual ingredients with the added bonus of two sets of grandparents! Either very brave or very daft.
Saturday morning saw a nice and steady route, now the older two little ones were permanently on their big bikes the little ones choose their mode of transport. Bethanie choosing her seat on Daddy's bike and William chose the trailer with Auntie Claire.
After a fabulous picnic at lunchtime we all set off in different directions. Grandad Stephen decided to head blue, the children decided to head back to camp and The Elder Berrys fancied exploring.
Mr Berry, Uncle R Kid and I headed off on the red route along the Adderstone Trail, then joined Jerry Noddle. Once again admiring more experienced riders on the World Cup route. Uncle R Kid soon realised maybe SPD's weren't the best idea but he continued, reversed and tackled every obstacle with great determination, or stubbornness ;-).
Soon the black run play sections were upon us and whilst the simpler aspects of boards I thought I could tackle I didn't fancy the technical bits, so off the 'men' went as I took in the views. Besides I wasn't feeling cracking after dinner so just wanted to take it easy.
Well, I waited and waited and Mr Berry returned but Uncle R Kid was enjoying the black run and who knows where he ended up but after much waiting and hunting for him we trundled without him. I did worry about him, on his own with his stubbornness to tackle everything and his SPD's.
On we went but I wasn't feeling good. I still enjoyed the usual stunning scenery. It never fails to impress me and make me feel at home and very thankful. But alas, Mr Berry insisted we took the blue route down as I felt worse and then went back to get the car, despite the fact I had managed to get half way up the hill back to camp.
I really don't know what the rest of the group did from then on for the rest of the weekend. I had pancreatitis and was taken the Scarborough Accident and Emergency that night and admitted for the week.
Our planned summer routes as a couple whilst the girls were in Spain were suddenly halted. But there's always next year ;-)
The Forestry Commission
Friday 22 July 2011
Saturday 4 June 2011
Sherwood Pines
Saturday 6th June
We decided to end Spring Bank with a trip down to Sherwood Forest. It was an opportunity for Little Berry to attempt the tag-along before our next trip up to Dalby, so with a picnic packed off we went.
The first adventure was along the blue route 9.6km. It was easy with a few down hills and climbs that Big Berry thought were challenging, despite us reminding her that she seems to float around Dalby. A super route and we would highly recommend it.
A picnic lunch with a checky stella or two and some fun and games for the girlies.
Ready for round two. The green route 4.8km which we all whizzed around. Little Berry utterly loved the tag and Big Berry raced around with me, Little Berry urged Daddy to speed up to catch up and he did!
Finally playtime in the playground before hometime.
We decided to end Spring Bank with a trip down to Sherwood Forest. It was an opportunity for Little Berry to attempt the tag-along before our next trip up to Dalby, so with a picnic packed off we went.
The first adventure was along the blue route 9.6km. It was easy with a few down hills and climbs that Big Berry thought were challenging, despite us reminding her that she seems to float around Dalby. A super route and we would highly recommend it.
A picnic lunch with a checky stella or two and some fun and games for the girlies.
Finally playtime in the playground before hometime.
Friday 27 May 2011
Family Glamping Springbank 2011
Dalby Forest
Springbank 2011 saw the Cradens and Berrys join forces once again for yet another fabulous camping weekend over the Bank Holiday.We enjoyed some fabulous blue and green routes with the children as well as the usual camping essentials of Cava, paella and a weekend full of our fabulous butchers meat (Shaun Fairweather, Mirfield).
The Little Carden and Little Berry enjoyed the trailer, seat and tag along. Sometimes asking Uncle R Kid to go faster and splash in the big puddles, other times requesting Auntie Claire took them for a more settled (boring) ride.
Uncle Phil had a sneaky play on the red route and then in the bike park.
Big Berry and Big Carden did the whole weekend on their 'big' bikes, they did a fabulous job and we were all very proud. The pair did enjoy themselves and although needed some encouragement (sweets the the top of hills) went home asking when we were next returning. Well done babies we were very proud x
Springbank 2011 saw the Cradens and Berrys join forces once again for yet another fabulous camping weekend over the Bank Holiday.We enjoyed some fabulous blue and green routes with the children as well as the usual camping essentials of Cava, paella and a weekend full of our fabulous butchers meat (Shaun Fairweather, Mirfield). The Little Carden and Little Berry enjoyed the trailer, seat and tag along. Sometimes asking Uncle R Kid to go faster and splash in the big puddles, other times requesting Auntie Claire took them for a more settled (boring) ride.
Uncle Phil had a sneaky play on the red route and then in the bike park.
Big Berry and Big Carden did the whole weekend on their 'big' bikes, they did a fabulous job and we were all very proud. The pair did enjoy themselves and although needed some encouragement (sweets the the top of hills) went home asking when we were next returning. Well done babies we were very proud x
Thursday 28 April 2011
Whinlatter Forest
Whinlatter Forest
Saturday 22nd April
The North and South loop is 19 kilometres.
The weather wasn't as cracking as the last few days in the Lakes, cool and misty.
As we set off I was nervous today. We followed a family with two young boys not much older than Elleanor and they attacked each dip, turn and jump with such fearless ability it was difficult not to feel intimidated. Phil had a puncture about ten metres in and I was watching some very novice riders pass I contemplated that each red route I had attempted had included a fall. I then tried to feel a bit more positive about the route and came up with a plan of action: steady and enjoy.
I kind of achieved my main aim. I found some of the initial climbs difficult the slate was slippy and I don't like heights!
There were some very tricky and slippy rock bits towards the top which I decided to avoid cycling over.
But I stayed on at the berms. Whoohoooo!
I managed a couple of little jumps but walked down a huge rock drop. But as I proudly said as I approached Phil, 'The bike is still between my legs, therefore this does not class as walking!'. Unbeknown to me two very young, sprightly riders were sat next to Phil hidden from view by a bush giggling at me. It was very difficult to concentrate on the twisty turns come down from the top of the North Loop with such stunning views.
We had a hot chocolate and cake back at the cafe, before attempting the South Loop.
The views on the North and South loop included some of Derwent water, Bassenthwaite, Helvellyn and Skiddaw as the trail took us to an altitude of 500m (1600ft) above Keswick.
Shame about the clouds and mist.
Saturday 22nd April
The North and South loop is 19 kilometres.
The weather wasn't as cracking as the last few days in the Lakes, cool and misty.
As we set off I was nervous today. We followed a family with two young boys not much older than Elleanor and they attacked each dip, turn and jump with such fearless ability it was difficult not to feel intimidated. Phil had a puncture about ten metres in and I was watching some very novice riders pass I contemplated that each red route I had attempted had included a fall. I then tried to feel a bit more positive about the route and came up with a plan of action: steady and enjoy.
I kind of achieved my main aim. I found some of the initial climbs difficult the slate was slippy and I don't like heights!
But I stayed on at the berms. Whoohoooo! I managed a couple of little jumps but walked down a huge rock drop. But as I proudly said as I approached Phil, 'The bike is still between my legs, therefore this does not class as walking!'. Unbeknown to me two very young, sprightly riders were sat next to Phil hidden from view by a bush giggling at me. It was very difficult to concentrate on the twisty turns come down from the top of the North Loop with such stunning views.
We had a hot chocolate and cake back at the cafe, before attempting the South Loop.
The views on the North and South loop included some of Derwent water, Bassenthwaite, Helvellyn and Skiddaw as the trail took us to an altitude of 500m (1600ft) above Keswick.
Shame about the clouds and mist.
Grizedale
At Easter the girls were packed off to Spain for their holidays and we went to the Lakes for some quality cycling and wandering around.
Friday April 22nd
Grizedale Forest
The official bit...The North Face Mountain Bike Trail, 16km, consists of nine sections of sinuous singletrack trail on the west side of Grizedale Forest. The trail offers adrenelising sections of single track descent with leg burning up hills, contouring through oak woodlands and conifer forest. The challenging trail also gives the mountain biker tricky board walk sections through meadows yet reward the trail rider with outstanding views along the way.
I once again found this difficult but yet again, thoroughly exhilarating. Once again other cyclists were very cautious and encouraging. My main aim was to finish without a fall. This didn't happen ;-) But it wasn't too bad. Just took a fall on a berm, it was my shoulder that took the worst of it. Mr Berry was not popular for saying 'can't understand how you fell off on the simple bit!'.
The weather was fabulous and once again the breathtaking views made me enormously thankful for the beautiful world we have been given.
In the afternoon, we enjoyed one of the walking routes around the forest. A fabulous day.
Friday April 22nd
Grizedale Forest
I once again found this difficult but yet again, thoroughly exhilarating. Once again other cyclists were very cautious and encouraging. My main aim was to finish without a fall. This didn't happen ;-) But it wasn't too bad. Just took a fall on a berm, it was my shoulder that took the worst of it. Mr Berry was not popular for saying 'can't understand how you fell off on the simple bit!'.
In the afternoon, we enjoyed one of the walking routes around the forest. A fabulous day.
Monday 18 April 2011
Dalby Red Route
We completed the Dalby Forest Red Route in two stages.
Saturday April 9th 2011
Newclose Rigg Bike Trail- Distance 9.4 km
Stage 1 was my first experience of a red route and I loved it! People were friendly and I didn't experience anyone huffing and puffing as I was slower than them. Where possible I stopped and moved over to one side to allow them to whizz past. This did lead to my tremendously impressive fall going down a hill *blush*. The fall itself didn't leave any marks, it was the fact I threw my bike onto the bank to move aside for some very fast approaching skilled riders then fell on it that left it's mark.
After finishing this section we decided to follow the good old blue and green back to the bottom for a hot chocolate and cake.
Saturday April 16th 2011
Stage 2 was not a disappointment. We were dropped off at the top so we could pick up where we left off. First it was the Adderstone 5.3km. The World Cup track looked amazing from here and some very talented riders were rehearsing for the World Cup, one of the coaches spoke to us and chatted about the training and how he wanted them to approach obstacles.
We then followed straight into the Jerry Noddle 5.8km. Utterly stunning views across the glorious moors.
Finally the decent of the Riggs and Dales 13.8km. Fantastic but tiring. I loved every second and finished with a huge smile to see my girlie's waiting for us at the end.
Saturday April 9th 2011
Newclose Rigg Bike Trail- Distance 9.4 km
Stage 1 was my first experience of a red route and I loved it! People were friendly and I didn't experience anyone huffing and puffing as I was slower than them. Where possible I stopped and moved over to one side to allow them to whizz past. This did lead to my tremendously impressive fall going down a hill *blush*. The fall itself didn't leave any marks, it was the fact I threw my bike onto the bank to move aside for some very fast approaching skilled riders then fell on it that left it's mark.
After finishing this section we decided to follow the good old blue and green back to the bottom for a hot chocolate and cake.
Saturday April 16th 2011
Stage 2 was not a disappointment. We were dropped off at the top so we could pick up where we left off. First it was the Adderstone 5.3km. The World Cup track looked amazing from here and some very talented riders were rehearsing for the World Cup, one of the coaches spoke to us and chatted about the training and how he wanted them to approach obstacles.
We then followed straight into the Jerry Noddle 5.8km. Utterly stunning views across the glorious moors.
 |
| Upright and steady ;-) |
Finally the decent of the Riggs and Dales 13.8km. Fantastic but tiring. I loved every second and finished with a huge smile to see my girlie's waiting for us at the end.
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