Killer Loop!
A window opened Saturday afternoon for a ride. Starting from Troutbeck Bridge I decided to bike up to Ambleside and do the “Killer”loop from MBR magazine. The weather was a real mixed bag all day; Sunshine, hail and a bit of rain all adding to the variety of trails. A trip to the Physiotherapist regarding my knees the day before seemed to of done a bit of good although he didn’t want to give Ultrasound to the knee I had knocked some weeks back in case the bone had a hairline fracture 
Not sure what can be done if that was the case, I guess it would need time and rest. A release of tension in muscles and a bit of pulse treatment left my legs aching for the night but feeling much better the next day.
It’s a while since I have done this loop, theres plenty of variations and options but I decided to stick with the Killer Loop theme. The first climb is a bit of steep tarmac to Loughrigg Fell via Brow Head Farm. Being a bank holiday it was rather busy up here, given I have mostly ridden these trails on a night ride it was something new to me as walkers encouraged me upwards. I smiled and tried my best to speak as I gasped past them, lunch laying somewhat heavy in my stomach.
The bridleway had been in the midst of renovation when I had last been up here (it must be a good while ago now) and despite losing a bit of the technical sections wasn’t too bad. Again walkers all seemed jovial, something which continued for all the ride with the odd exception. With the rocky descent enjoyed a road section with another climb paved the way to the breathtaking climb up towards Arnside Intake. A quality descent, it proves a real slog to go up and I failed miserably on the first section, bad line choice giving my lungs a much needed break. With no such luck elsewhere I gasped onwards, a chance to catch breath at a gate stop lost when bikers heading the other way kindly held it open for me. The descent back down from Iron Keld isn’t really just reward for the climb, a few sections are great fun but on the whole it’s rather pedally.
Hodge Close led to High Tilberthwaite where I almost surprised myself on the climb, I was so close to cleaning it. The down ward bit was rather fun just as the walkers promised 
I decided to take the bridge at Little Langdale, the water level was plenty low enough to ride but with many miles yet to go I opted to keep my feet dry. The descent to Elterwater was sweet, really enjoyable and no walkers to hamper my run. A quick drop through the Quarry took me back to tarmac and the final climb of the killer route to take in the descent of Loughrigg Terrace. This proved a little busy with walkers, all made way but with speed scrubbed to stay in the good books not as enjoyable as the majority of times I have blasted down.
A coffee break at Ghyllside Cycles went on a bit too long and I reluctantly dragged myself out into the cold for the ride back to Kendal. I went up Jenkin Crag and down Mirk Lane to add a bit of spice. With time getting on (I promised to be home for seven) and my knees feeling tender I took the road and cycleway back. A good feed was a just reward, over 5 hours in the saddle was much more than I have manged for weeks. A couple of bags of frozen peas kept the knees happy for a while too.
With a family theme for Easter Sunday we headed down to Liverpool to visit Knowsley Safari Park. Getting there quite early we enjoyed a quiet first run round the park, highlight of the trip being the baboon’s aiming for a News of The World headline story on our bonnet 
A second trip later on proved much busier, but the boys wanted to see the baboons again.Considerably lighter in the pocket and after an enjoyable day we left before the football result sunk in and Bradleys Man Utd top caused civil unrest. The car exhaust snapped off on the Motorway on out return, a few tywraps from my biking spares came in rather useful as a quick get me out of here bodge. We were planning a family biking day tomorrow but the forecast looks a bit grim for the kids to be out so I might to go myself for a short while…….
