New Altura trail at Whinlatter

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Comments

  • Yukon Lad
    Yukon Lad Posts: 423
    yep, that vid is quality, unfortuanatley i will only have about £300 to spend on a new bike cos i've only just brought one so will probably have to wait and then either get a budget hardtail or save a bit longer, can anybody sugest a decent bike for that budget and some decent lightweight shinnies and forearms that are breathable enough for general trail riding.

    Also has anyone else heard anything about this place near penrith.

    Thanks, Yukon Lad
    Drop, Berm, Jump, Sky, Sky, Sky, Sweet Beautiful Earth OUCH, OUCH,OUCH, ****! GORSE BUSH!!!

    Giant Yukon FX2
    Kona Stab Deluxe 2008
  • SGP
    SGP Posts: 22
    Try this

    http://www.pinkbike.com/news/scratchmere-scar-2008.html

    Bizzarely enough I live 15 minutes from this place and never knew it existed until now. Must investigate.
  • cakesie
    cakesie Posts: 27
    I've been and walked the new section today, rather than go ride it and annoy people. It looks very good, much more user friendly than the North side. In fact, I think that most people will end up only using the South loop once it's open. The top section is uncomplete and seems a little wet in places although i'm sure this will be sorted out. The bottom section has nice, wide trail with plenty of lines. The berms are large and seem well compacted and the jumps look great. Not too big but good enough to get some air.

    Here are some links to pics, taken on my phone so not brilliant! You'll get the idea though.

    http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v480/markwrx/DSC00048.jpg
    http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v480/markwrx/DSC00047.jpg
    http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v480/markwrx/DSC00046.jpg
    http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v480/markwrx/DSC00045.jpg
    http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v480/markwrx/DSC00044.jpg
    http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v480/markwrx/DSC00043.jpg
    http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v480/markwrx/DSC00042.jpg
    http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v480/markwrx/DSC00041.jpg
    http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v480/markwrx/DSC00040.jpg
  • bungalistic
    bungalistic Posts: 543
    cakesie wrote:
    Here are some links to pics, taken on my phone so not brilliant! You'll get the idea though.

    Looking pretty good that, looks fairly smooth too, might have to have a wander up next weekend myself on foot to scope it out too, good job getting some photos from it.
  • hondafanatic
    hondafanatic Posts: 213
    Hi all,

    My friend and I rode the red route yesterday (Sunday) for the first time. I've ridden most of the major Welsh routes and I use the NorthFace as my regular trail seeing as I live in sunny Lancaster.

    Firstly, the guys in the shop are really helpful and very enthusastic about 'their' route. Top Chaps.

    We arrived early before the masses and got on the trail as quickly as possible. It's easy to navigate round and well sign posted. It's a short course but once the second loop is added I'm sure it will be more of a challange. It would be possible to do several laps if time permitted. (However, we were both given short-term out passes from the wifes!)

    With regard to the track, we found that despite having some dry days, part of the tracks were too wet to ride with confidence. (I know people will point to lack of ability, but I used to race at a semi-pro level and can hold my own). It wasn't so much the roots, but a couple of sections with exposed rocks were very slippery and I found myself having to crab side ways to go forward. I came off several times but all very low speed pathetic bails. :oops:

    However, the rest of the track, particulary the end section was good fun and fast flowing. The downhill is more technical than the NorthFace trail but as long as you don't go beyond your limits anyone can ride it. It's great to have more of these purpose built trails with decent faciliaties cropping up. I'd recommend anyone give it a go if you're up this way (or down for the Scots!)

    Anyway, just thought I'd add my 2p worth on my first post. I've been lurking for sometime, but thought I'd join up and say hello.

    All the best
    David :D
    <insert witty comment here>

    Also, I have calculated my FCN as 12...although I have no idea what that actually means.
  • Yukon Lad
    Yukon Lad Posts: 423
    yep, still counting the days till the southern loop is finished,
    was up there again on saturday, some of the roots were lethal.

    Yukon Lad
    Drop, Berm, Jump, Sky, Sky, Sky, Sweet Beautiful Earth OUCH, OUCH,OUCH, ****! GORSE BUSH!!!

    Giant Yukon FX2
    Kona Stab Deluxe 2008
  • bungalistic
    bungalistic Posts: 543
    Think i'll be popping back there this Saturday (if shoulder is ok). If you see anyone wearing a full face riding a DMR trailstar come say hello, it'll be me and i'm usually fairly friendly.
  • Yukon Lad
    Yukon Lad Posts: 423
    [/quote] i'm usually fairly friendly.[/quote]

    So i take it if i see a person with a DMR trailstar, a serious mechanical and a mashed up full-face then it probably isn't safe to approach :lol:

    On a more serious note what is it like, i've heard people say its graded black

    Yukon Lad
    Drop, Berm, Jump, Sky, Sky, Sky, Sweet Beautiful Earth OUCH, OUCH,OUCH, ****! GORSE BUSH!!!

    Giant Yukon FX2
    Kona Stab Deluxe 2008
  • bungalistic
    bungalistic Posts: 543
    Yukon Lad wrote:
    So i take it if i see a person with a DMR trailstar, a serious mechanical and a mashed up full-face then it probably isn't safe to approach :lol:

    On a more serious note what is it like, i've heard people say its graded black

    Yukon Lad

    If my helmet is that mashed up it means i've come off again, at the moment it's in ok nick thankfully.

    Which bit is graded black, the new south side?
  • steveb66
    steveb66 Posts: 1
    I've noticed whinlatter gets much slippier when it hasn't been rained on for a few days - there was a greasy film on a lot of the rocks & roots yesterday, could hardly even stand up on the (usually rideable) triple switchback in the middle of the trail. So I'm just wondering if anyone has any recommendations for dealing with those conditions, eg: tyre types, pressures, cos I was slipping all over the place yesterday (on conti fire xc pro 2.1s)

    Any ideas folks?
    Ta!
    Steve.
  • bungalistic
    bungalistic Posts: 543
    edited November 2008
    I've noticed whinlatter gets much slippier when it hasn't been rained on for a few days - So I'm just wondering if anyone has any recommendations for dealing with those conditions

    You could try experimenting with tyre pressure, a few mates of mine run DH rigs with lower pressures and seem to stick to the trails when they want to. I don't usually find the roots to bad providing you tackle them head on and keep your weight light as you go over them but I agree with the slippy rock, it's a nightmare to ride even with super tacky tyres on.
  • fasterthanaspeedingbullet
    fasterthanaspeedingbullet Posts: 268
    I've skimmed through most of this thread and can't find a date so i'll ask...

    Can anyone please give me a date of when the second phase of the trail is due to be completed?

    I'd like to give the new trail a go but i'd prefer to go up when it is completely finished.
    It's all good fun until someone loses a bollock.

    2010 Orange Crush
  • bungalistic
    bungalistic Posts: 543
    fasterthanaspeedingbullet wrote:
    Can anyone please give me a date of when the second phase of the trail is due to be completed?

    I'd like to give the new trail a go but i'd prefer to go up when it is completely finished.

    Not sure any date has been issued on when it will be completed, the guys that are doing the trail told me end of October should be when the south section is opened for all to sample officially.

    Take a look at their website: http://www.cyclewisetraining.co.uk/ Whinlatter trail link is on the right hand side, they may post info up on there, plus you could always give them a ring too and ask them, the better weather they have the quicker the trail will be to finish.
  • fasterthanaspeedingbullet
    fasterthanaspeedingbullet Posts: 268
    Thanks for that, cheers mate :D
    It's all good fun until someone loses a bollock.

    2010 Orange Crush
  • bungalistic
    bungalistic Posts: 543
    Anyone riding the trail this Saturday? I'm going to venture up at 3pm or so to session the last two downhill sections of North Side.
  • SGP
    SGP Posts: 22
    Did you make it then bungalistic?

    I got there about 4:30 and it was chucking it down. There were only three cars in the car park and I never saw another bike so I guess I had the whole trail to myself.

    Have to say that today was the most fun I've had at Whinlatter. The rain had washed the trail clean so it looked like new and there wasn't any mud or slippery stuff anywhere. A few stretches were like riding up the log flume at Alton Towers but that just added to a great experience.

    I actually managed a clean run today for the first time, with my feet only touching the ground in the car park at the start and the finish, which was just as well because my SPD shoes aren't exactly waterproof.

    And at the end a quick sprint through the river running down the road washed off any grubby bits and my bike just needed a once over with bike spray and a towel off to be good as new.
  • bungalistic
    bungalistic Posts: 543
    No I never made it on Saturday because of the weather, I kept my eye out all day for a possibly clear'ish patch but it just thrashed down all day. I don't mind riding wet trails or even riding in light'ish rain but I had to admit defeat on Saturday.

    Sunday was glorious though so I managed to get up to Scotland for a lovely day out.

    Edit: Had another wander to look at South section last week also, there is a sign saying it should open in November sometime, no definate date, I guess the heavy rain and such is causing problems with the build.
  • SGP
    SGP Posts: 22
    Well I was like a drowned rat at the end but it was worth it!

    I was out there again on sunday when the rain stopped and got wet and filthy all over again - but if I didn't keep filling the washing machine up what would my wife do to fill her days?
  • Losingclaretagain
    Losingclaretagain Posts: 10
    Anyone going up to the trail on saturday morning about 8.30,we'v been going up for a few weeks,we'l be in a red van,come over and say hello or we'l meet up for a brew at the cafe.look forward to meet anyone. 8)
  • Losingclaretagain
    Losingclaretagain Posts: 10
    Yukon Lad wrote:
    yep, that vid is quality, unfortuanatley i will only have about £300 to spend on a new bike cos i've only just brought one so will probably have to wait and then either get a budget hardtail or save a bit longer, can anybody sugest a decent bike for that budget and some decent lightweight shinnies and forearms that are breathable enough for general trail riding.

    Also has anyone else heard anything about this place near penrith.

    Thanks, Yukon Lad

    Hello Yukon Lad,
    Try and get hold of a used Boardman,the spec is top notch and for some reason ther's a bit of a stigma attached (probably because they come from Halfords,mind you it didn't stop me from getting one) so the prices are quite cheap used,if you are up at Whinlatter come over and have a look at mine and see what you think.
  • bungalistic
    bungalistic Posts: 543
    Losingclaretagain wrote:
    Anyone going up to the trail on saturday morning about 8.30,we'v been going up for a few weeks,we'l be in a red van,come over and say hello or we'l meet up for a brew at the cafe.look forward to meet anyone. 8)

    It's possible I will be there on Saturday, but 8.30 seems awfully early though I bet it's pretty darned quiet.
  • Losingclaretagain
    Losingclaretagain Posts: 10
    bungalistic wrote:
    Losingclaretagain wrote:
    Anyone going up to the trail on saturday morning about 8.30,we'v been going up for a few weeks,we'l be in a red van,come over and say hello or we'l meet up for a brew at the cafe.look forward to meet anyone. 8)

    It's possible I will be there on Saturday, but 8.30 seems awfully early though I bet it's pretty darned quiet.


    Yeah should be,we live locally so getting there early is no problem,we are going to ride the bottom section as a warm up,then up to the top and ride the full route down,maybe see you there.
  • bungalistic
    bungalistic Posts: 543
    Well I didn't quite make the 8.30am start, it was closer to 5.00pm by the time I managed to get up there, I thought it was going to be super wet as driving up the roads had water flowing down them but the trail was surprisingly ok and not as slippy as I had imagined.

    This time I even managed to pedal most of it as the bike is now running with some gears again, they do make a difference after all.

    Anyone up next saturday?
  • Losingclaretagain
    Losingclaretagain Posts: 10
    We made it by 9am,by 11.30am i was hurt,badly bruised knee,back,elbow,cut knee,it happened on the last part of the North downhill section,bike took a tumble but came out without a scratch,never mind,same time next week. :(
  • The Northern Monkey
    The Northern Monkey Posts: 19,174
    i'll be doing the altura trail on sunday the 26th, probably on the Zaskar reissue too if anyone is interested in seeing it :wink:
    Santa Cruz Butcher
  • bungalistic
    bungalistic Posts: 543
    Went up today after work and I must say I enjoy this trail more every time I visit it. The new single track sections they have near the start that cut out some of the fire track climb are most welcome and much more enjoyable, hopefully they'll build more and cut even more fire track out.

    Managed to get round the whole North loop in 50 mins, it was a bit wet, but now that i'm used to the trail it doen't seem as slippy as it once used to. Really looking forward to the South section being open, though I hope once everything is open that they can then add to the route and make it even longer perhaps add some extra sections on that can be optionally ridden like at Mabie Forest, I think i'll suggest that to them in the shop when I next go in.

    Maybe see some folks on saturday if i'm not riding Scotland again.

    New Info: South section will officially open on Monday December 1st
  • Nagero
    Nagero Posts: 1
    I'm up in the Lakes next week, and hoping to get a steer from those who have done the trail to see how suitable it'll be for a me and a pal who are just starting out - been cycling for about 6 months now on new hardtails, so building confidence but not yet competent / technical rider. Sounds like we'll get round OK but any tips would be welcome!
  • SGP
    SGP Posts: 22
    You'll certainly get round okay but might might end up walking a few metres here and there. There's a couple of steep uphill hairpin bends might catch you out if you don't get your line right.

    Watch out for the singletrack climb near the beginning - it's the second section from the start - there's a stretch with a severe drop right next to the track that still gives me the willies. Don't look down is good advice!

    And don't get carried away on the downhill section at the end. Some of the berms are in poor shape and you don't want to hit them faster than you're comfortable with.

    If you're lucky the South section might even be open, it must be about ready any day now.
  • bungalistic
    bungalistic Posts: 543
    South side section is opening on Monday December 1st as I mentioned above
  • grumsta
    grumsta Posts: 994
    How do you go about sessioning the last bit? Is there a fire road that gets you back to the top of the DH section at the end?

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