South Lakes Group's February 2012 ride photos

[fisher]

A view at top Long Lane on the 4th February ride of the South Lakes Group, you can see rest of February ride photos at this link http://www.southlakesgroup.org.uk/2012photogallery/february/index.html

[fisher]

The above photo was taken at Kitridding Tea Room on to day's South Lakes Group ride, you can see rest of today's ride photos at this link http://www.southlakesgroup.org.uk/2012photogallery/february/14th.html

[Danneaux]

 Simeon...please keep these reports coming! It is such a joy to see and appreciate roughstuff touring via your photographs. A bit like some Frank Patterson drawings come to life! Beautiful country, and again...that food! You've surely earned it!

Given you're all out in every kind of weather and all road surfaces, do you have any tips for us on what equipment choices work particularly well for this style of riding? I would imagine this is ideally suited to Rohloff bikes, but I also see a number of derailleur-equipped bikes in your photos as well. Here in the States, we have cyclocross and we have mountain biking at a number of levels of involvement, but roughstuff seems like a great melding of both with regular all-weather touring in convivial groups. Can you recommend any particular links beyond the one you provided that would tell a bit more about the pursuit?

My thanks in advance,

Dan.

[fisher]

Hi  Dan,

You can find a bit more information about the Rough-Stuff Fellowship on its own website at http://www.rsf.org.uk/. With regards to equipment or bike choice, use what ever you happiest on weather this is mountain bike or hybrid or touring bike, off-road cycle touring is about going seeing what there and stopping to enjoy the view. There few articles at this link http://www.diary.southlakesgroup.org/whats-press.html which the cycling press have printed about the Rough-Stuff Fellowship over the pass few years may interesting for you to read.

[fisher]

Looking back down the Old Roman towards Thunder Stone on today's South Lakes Group ride to Shap, you can see rest of today's ride photos at this link http://www.southlakesgroup.org.uk/2012photogallery/february/19th.html

[Danneaux]

Oh! Sunshine at last! It looks like it was a lovely day for a ride, but likely very chilly, judging by the woolies and hats under helmets. Thanks for taking us along, Simeon. Everything from those sharp rocks to the blue sky made me wish I was along for the ride. You've a good eye for making it all "real" for us who didn't go...you even caught the straw or animal hair on the fencepost. I especially like the low-angle shots showing the surface and those angled toward the sun.

Thanks also for the links on the Rough-Stuff Fellowship. Makes me very much wish we had the equivalent organization and focus here. Until then, please keep the wonderful pics and ride reports coming!

Best,

Dan.

[fisher]

Thanks Dan, for the America version of the RSF look at this blog at this link http://xo-1.org/

[Pavel]

the photos are inspiring.  They certainly tell the tale well.

[il padrone]

Great photos you have put together. Love the unusual angles you take and the use of depth of field.

It's really nice to see some bracing winter cycling along with the delights of a warm tea-room stop. Right now it's 37 degrees here and I don't feel too inclined to ride. Tomorrow's ride is out in some open country with limited shade and it's going to be 34 degrees with late storms. I much prefer winter riding, although we don't get winters as cold as in the UK - usually a sub-10 deg day is exceptional and we only find snow if we ride up Mt Donna Buang (1200m). It's always possible to put on extra layers for warmth, but hard to stay cool enough on hot days.

[fisher]

At top of the climb up Cam Brow on today's South Lakes Group ride to Chipping, you can see rest of ride photos at this link http://www.southlakesgroup.org.uk/2012photogallery/february/25th.html

[Danneaux]

Pete's right, Simeon...your camera angles really bring these ride accounts alive. Can't wait to read the next installment. Thank you for the link to an American version of the Rough-Stuff pursuit.

Best,

Dan.