Page 62 - Rifles 2017 Issue No 3

Caution: slippery when wet!
Enjoying the view before descent
Exercise FINN CLEARBARROW
– mountain biking in the Lake District
Exercise FINN CLEARBARROW was a week-long mountain biking expedition to the Lake District, conducted by 2 RIFLES in November 2016. The expedition introduced 20 ri emen to mountain biking, as well as providing a break to the usual training routine. Setting off early to catch the Larne to Cairnryan ferry, we made good time to Ambleside with a quick stop for supplies en route. The Ambleside Hut is an Army owned adventure training hut in the centre of Ambleside and provides an excellent base from which to launch into the rest of the Lake District.
Experience in the group varied from the absolute novice all the way through to seasoned mountain
HARD GRAFT ON THE CLIMBS WAS REWARDED WITH LONG SWOOPING DESCENTS
bikers. The group was broken down into teams of six, with each team led by a Junior Non Commis- sioned Of cer or Ri eman trail cycle leader (TCL). The rst few days were spent travelling around some of the larger trail centres in the Lakes. This allowed the Ri eman to develop their trail skills, bike handling and let the TCLs develop more con dence in their teaching and leadership.
Later in the week the groups, with the assistance of Staff Sergeant Thomas (2 RIFLES Physical Training Instructor), set about planning a series of longer, more natural and expeditionary rides. Not only did this test the navigational skills of the TCLs, but allowed the Ri eman to discover some of the areas of the Lakes that are more dif cult to access. Hard graft on the climbs was rewarded with long swooping descents and technical rock sections that challenged riders of all levels. After a hard day’s work, the groups would meet, in true cyclist fashion, for coffee and cake at a local cafe. Stories would be recounted of who had won the coveted crash of the day, before settling in to plan the next day’s route. All of those involved were able to gain a valuable insight into adventure training in the army and sports afternoon mountain biking has gained some fresh legs.
Lieutenant Matt Dryburgh,
Of cer Commanding 5 Platoon
A stylish descent by Corporal Brown
Taco Tuesday in the Ambleside Hut
60 SECOND BATTALION
THE RIFLES