New Altura trail at Whinlatter

BigLee1

I did the south loop this afternoon and the 3 inches of snow all over spoiled it a bit! :? I agree with Dr1v3r about it being a good addition to the north loop and better imo for a fast flowing blat round if you`ve a spare hour or so

snotty badger

I ventured round the South loop on Saturday, it was almost sheet ice all the way round and witnessed quiet a few spills, a couple of which may of been mine! :oops:

I can imagine it being fast flowing once the ice has gone! Although that didn't stop my mate making full use of the jumps.

BigLee1

I did it again today including the bit I missed that goes along the top of the fell. It`s worth doing it just for the view
It was still icy in places but most was rideable and imo was excellent A lot less technical and a better flow than the north so complements it well. I`m still dissappointed about the downhill bit on the fire road that could`ve been through the trees but still well done to the guys ho did it

bungalistic

snotty badger wrote:

I ventured round the South loop on Saturday, it was almost sheet ice all the way round and witnessed quiet a few spills, a couple of which may of been mine! :oops:

I can imagine it being fast flowing once the ice has gone! Although that didn't stop my mate making full use of the jumps.

I was there on saturday just gone too, tried to ride the south side fun section but just kept wiping out because of the ice I hope it's gone this weekend as there are loads of us heading there to ride the whole thing.

bungalistic

We got a couple of small videos (nowt special) of some of the jumps on the south side on vimeo. Jackrabbitt Videos

MattHarper

hey,

im just wondering if anyone could give me an idea of how much it is for the toll at Whinlatter? Thinking of going on monday, since Uni has now finished for xmas.

BigLee1

What do you mean by toll? the Altura trail is free to ride but you pay £1.50 per hour to park your car. Well you do, I know somewhere for free

The Northern Monkey

i thought the car park was free? we certianately didn't pay! or is it national trust? we get fre parking there due to being a memeber

BigLee1

I don`t know if it`s a national trust one tbh but there is a ticket machine

bungalistic

Car park is owned by forestry commission, not too sure if a national trust member would get free parking in these but no one collared you for it so fair enough.

Car park is about £2 for 2 hours which should give you enough time to get round the full loop, and I've parked a few times without getting a ticket and have had no fines/warnings as yet so you're probably ok to go over that time by a bit. Not sure how often they patrol/check the cars, I've never seen anyone doing it so you'll be fine if you just pay a couple of quid.

Oh yeah and don't pay until all your bikes are ready and all your gear is ready and you're ready to set off no point paying for the time spent unpacking the car really.

MattHarper

bungalistic wrote:

Car park is owned by forestry commission, not too sure if a national trust member would get free parking in these but no one collared you for it so fair enough.

Car park is about £2 for 2 hours which should give you enough time to get round the full loop, and I've parked a few times without getting a ticket and have had no fines/warnings as yet so you're probably ok to go over that time by a bit. Not sure how often they patrol/check the cars, I've never seen anyone doing it so you'll be fine if you just pay a couple of quid.

Oh yeah and don't pay until all your bikes are ready and all your gear is ready and you're ready to set off no point paying for the time spent unpacking the car really.

cheers, im used to biking in places like Dalby which has a toll ticket system (pay for the forest drive, etc)

dave_hill

It used to be the case in the Lakes that you could pay at any of the Forestry car parks (£4 for all day at Grizedale last time I looked) then your ticket was valid for all the other Forestry car parks within the National Park.

The car parks which come under the National Park Authority are £6 for all day and IIRC they can't be transferred.

sniper68

Whinlatter and Grizedale Parking tickets are transferable on the day 8) If you want to park for free just use the car park across from the VC.Rivelin Moss i think its called.You pass it on the south loop anyway 8) Having said that i prefer to park where there a lots of people about and i don't think £4 is OTT.

MattHarper

ibbo68 wrote:

Whinlatter and Grizedale Parking tickets are transferable on the day 8) If you want to park for free just use the car park across from the VC.Rivelin Moss i think its called.You pass it on the south loop anyway 8) Having said that i prefer to park where there a lots of people about and i don't think £4 is OTT.

not when you compared it to £7 for the Toll at Dalby (in the summer)

sniper68

MattHarper wrote:

ibbo68 wrote:

Whinlatter and Grizedale Parking tickets are transferable on the day 8) If you want to park for free just use the car park across from the VC.Rivelin Moss i think its called.You pass it on the south loop anyway 8) Having said that i prefer to park where there a lots of people about and i don't think £4 is OTT.

not when you compared it to £7 for the Toll at Dalby (in the summer)

That was one of the reasons we didn't rate Dalby i think.Lousy day,bad traffic,absolutely sodden trail...and £7 to Park :shock: Its getting as bad in the Peak District,Fairholmes Ladybower £3 all day 8) Edale/Hope £5 :shock:I'd like to think the cash goes towards upkeep of the trails,but i'm not that naive :roll:

MattHarper

ibbo68 wrote:

MattHarper wrote:

ibbo68 wrote:

Whinlatter and Grizedale Parking tickets are transferable on the day 8) If you want to park for free just use the car park across from the VC.Rivelin Moss i think its called.You pass it on the south loop anyway 8) Having said that i prefer to park where there a lots of people about and i don't think £4 is OTT.

not when you compared it to £7 for the Toll at Dalby (in the summer)

That was one of the reasons we didn't rate Dalby i think.Lousy day,bad traffic,absolutely sodden trail...and £7 to Park :shock: Its getting as bad in the Peak District,Fairholmes Ladybower £3 all day 8) Edale/Hope £5 :shock:I'd like to think the cash goes towards upkeep of the trails,but i'm not that naive :roll:

slighty off topic, but plan to be riding in the peaks in the summer, looks alot of fun! I have annual pass for Dalby (£35) so its not to bad really.

sniper68

MattHarper wrote:

ibbo68 wrote:

MattHarper wrote:

slighty off topic, but plan to be riding in the peaks in the summer, looks alot of fun! I have annual pass for Dalby (£35) so its not to bad really.

Some of the best natural riding in Englandshire 8) Give us a buzz if you want to be shown around 8)

MattHarper

ibbo68 wrote:

MattHarper wrote:

ibbo68 wrote:

MattHarper wrote:

slighty off topic, but plan to be riding in the peaks in the summer, looks alot of fun! I have annual pass for Dalby (£35) so its not to bad really.

Some of the best natural riding in Englandshire 8) Give us a buzz if you want to be shown around 8)

Cheers mate, deffo will at some point!

Yukon Lad

need to get over and do the south side, haven't been able to get out recently and all of the free days i've had the trail has been iced up, love the north side, even the singletrack climb is alright but technical and the last couple of sections are brilliant with nice wide berms on the second to last bit and some good flow on the very last bit but am bit of very noticeable erosion which means that the best line is unrideable on some of the berms on the last section but apart from that all good.

Looking forward to doing the south side, are there any bits i should be aware of, e.g very technical or bad erosion e.t.c

Thanks Yukon Lad

adun1408

I am going on tuesday for the first time hope i'm not going to be dissapointed.

Yukon Lad

believe me from what i've ridden it is well worth it. It has got a bit battered with constant rain and contant use but is still good and well worth it. I try to go every week and it still puts a smile on my face. When its cold though take good gloves because when you get up onto the exposed bit near moorland the wind bites and makes shifting impossible because you get so cold

Yukon Lad

adun1408

I have checked the weather it's supposed to be dry and quite mild. I'm looking forward to going.

pdid

Yukon Lad wrote:

Looking forward to doing the south side, are there any bits i should be aware of, e.g very technical or bad erosion e.t.c

Thanks Yukon Lad

Was up on Saturday rode both loops for the second time. There is some really bad erosion just after the summit on the South side. It is rideable but needs some work sooner rather than later.

The top part of the south is eroded and muddy in places and the lower part of the downhill is still bedding in and is quite loose if you leave the correct line.

I really like this trail and always come away with a massive grin on my face.

Enjoy yourself

Phil

Yukon Lad

thanks, looks like i'll be in for a good week up till christmas cos shoppings out the way and the weather isn't meant to be too cold so it shouldn't ice, i think for the first time in a while, knowing that a dry non-icey day is out of the question i'm praying for rain :shock:

Thanks, Yukon Lad

Rocketmagnet

For those on about the parking fees - you can buy a year pass for £15... not sure if this covers you for anywhere esle but there.. but possibly?
Only problem is it's the size of a beer mat.....

Yes you can park down the road for free but being realistic paying some money for the trail upkeep via parking isn't too much to ask.Fair enough for young riders and uni students etc.. but i've seen some very expensive cars and bikes in the "free" section - fair enough later on if your night riding as they close the gates but midday and plenty of free spaces is a bit tight ;P

snotty badger

I might get myself a year pass, will soon pay for its self.

Just came back from doing a quick blat round the South loop. Its the first time I've ridden it in decent conditions and I had a HUGE smile on my face when I got back to the car park.

Just finished giving my Pitch a clean- it was rather muddy in places- only my 3rd ride on it and I love it!

grumsta

I will be up there tomorrow on my Pitch - dragging my gf along with me

snotty badger

I hope shes on a bike two and you aren't literraly towing her round mate!

Finish work at lunch time tomorrow, work about 10 mins away so I'll be back up for both sides and a slice of cake. 8)

adun1408

Did both loops yesterday for first time was as good as everyone says will certainly be going back.

Yukon Lad

yep, did the south loop for the first time cos i didn't have time to do both, it was awsum. The tabletops were a bit hard to clear but then again i need to get better at jumping and get some more confidence but the berms were absolutely awesome, you can rip through them safely but can't help but go faster, will be going again as soon as possible and absolutely loved it.

Yukon Lad