New Altura trail at Whinlatter

cakesie

Did both trails yesterday in the tropical conditions! There was actually more grip than there has been for ages even though it was frozed solid. Weird! However that didn't help one bloke who took a hefty tumble on the north trail and needed ambulanced away.
Anyway, I took a few snaps from the top of the south ridge as it was very spectacular!

Yukon Lad

that is some view, i tend to stay away from whinlatter when its cold cos of the amount of ice that there is, one of my mates broke his arm on it cos of the ice

Yukon Lad

Yukon Lad

i picked up a leaflet in the cyclewise shop this morning is is anyone doing this whinlatter mountain bike challenge or is there anyone that has done it before as i want to know what its like, i know that i will have to train as its the altura trail and 30 miles of endurance riding, is it a race or is it an enduro type thing just messing becos if its a serious XC race then i'm not going cos i will get my arse kicked and look a twit in baggies and on a budget full-sus at an XC race and ii wonder what the route is like or do they do the same one every year.

Yukon Lad

Giggsmaster

Some good pics there cakesie. Me and Altern 8 were up at Walna Scar Road on New Years Eve and the view was near enough the same. It was freezing in the mist down at the bottom but as soon as you cleared that and in to the sun with blue sky all the way, it was gorgeous. Then coming back down in to the mist.... I ended up with frost all over my jacket...

bungalistic

Was up there again over the xmas period and got some good photos, here are a couple. Bit too big to post in this forum so just click the pink bike links

http://www.pinkbike.com/photo/2859386/
http://www.pinkbike.com/photo/2859385/

snotty badger

Just a quick one to let people know the South loop has been closed due to frost damage. Hopefully it'll be sorted soon.

Went up today and done 2 loops of the North, very little ice and none on the downhill/jump section- just watch out for the cross winds or you could be a goner...

shocka

Does anyone know how long the south loop is closed for? A few of us were planning a trip over on Monday 19th

Rocketmagnet

Was there on tuesday and the sign was up saying that the reason it was closed was to prevent damage as it thaws out as it's not bedded in yet.

So I don't think it's actually frost damaged but its closed as a preventative measure.

Didnt seem Icy on Tues so its anyones guess when it will reopen.. ohh if you do the north loop take it easy on your first lap as there were a number of trees that have fallen over the trail.. not sure if they have been cleared yet..

Yukon Lad

ye, there was a tree down on the south when it was open as well.
Does anyone have any experience of the Whinlatter Bie Challenge as i need some info as to wether it is an enduro type event of a full-on xc race

Yukon Lad

Rocketmagnet

Was round this morning and the fallen trees had been cleared.
As for the south side if it's not open yet then i'd guess the closure may be long term
especially with the people i've seen sneaking on the south trail irrispective that its barriered off :evil:

theboymark2003

HI everyone, just a quick one going next month and with it just been xmas not been out for a while, what are the uphill sectons like as i dont want to be knackered when it comes to the dh.

pdid

theboymark2003 wrote:

HI everyone, just a quick one going next month and with it just been xmas not been out for a while, what are the uphill sectons like as i dont want to be knackered when it comes to the dh.

They are quite long, nothing too technical but lots of really tight switchbacks. The fireroad climb on the north side is pretty horrible. Worth it for the downs though.

SGP

It was beautiful there this afternoon, 2 degrees, blowing a gale and the snow/hail was coming in sideways and stung like a good'un when riding straight into it. It was like riding through a swarm of angry bees!

SGP

From the Cyclewise website:

Trail report for Jan 20th : Good news the man from Forestry he say YEEESSS. Paul has been monitoring the south loop and feels that it should be back open for the weekend. Ideally he would like a period of dry weather ( wouldn't we all) just to dry it out a 'lal' bit but the rest has done it's job. It will probably remain closed until Friday so thanks for being so patient guys. The Cyclewise crew

cakesie

Still shut today.

Whytepeak

How will rockshox rebas (20mm axle) handle the last decent, this jump talk is getting me nervous!

grumsta

Don't be daft - you'll be fine! :P

snotty badger

I've seen £80 Asda specials go round so yeah I think you're Rebas will be fine!

Whytepeak

Thanks for the reasurance guys - now I've no excuse!
I shall go forth with an open mind

SGP

Here's a few shots from this morning's ride around a near deserted whinlatter:

The "scary" part of the singletrack climb on the north side.



The south loop, taken from the top of the north loop. You can see the main climb and descent of the lower half in the centre of the picture. The upper half was still shut today, probably just as well because the less rocky lower part was treacherous enough.



Looking back at the first singletrack climb section of the south loop.



The north loop taken from halfway up the south loop. You can see the final descent back to the carpark.



My bike.

bungalistic

For those of you that don't know the bottom section of South side is open, that's the single track climb up to the fireroad (2nd fireroad) where you can then turn left and do the swoopy jumpy section back to the bottom. Top section of south loop still closed.

Rocketmagnet

yeah bottom 1/2 of the south loop is open tho i've seen the odd selfish git ignoring the closed gate with sign telling you to keep off the top section as you'll damage it and put back the reopening date :evil:

As for the scary bit, I wouldn't let that talk put anyone off as it's not that bad really.
As long as you look where your going and consider you've ridden sections alot narrower then its not a problem. i'll be honest in saying I didn't even notice the drop the first few times around until someone mentioned it to me.

Got to watch out for the odd downed tree with the freeze thaw were seeing and be careful when it's icy - not may places but it got me a few weeks ago with some sheet black ice - ironically on the fireroad and i notched up my first ever fall on fthe stuff. Not sure why but the stoopid offs always hurt more

Whytepeak

How is whinlatter set out. Is there a visitor centre and car park? Are there maps of the trails available? Is the whole route now open? What is the terrain like around the forest, is it good for walking, as my family are thinking of doing so while i ride the trail.
Very sorry for all the Q's, i am thinking of going in 8 days - saturday.
Thanks.

SGP

All the answers here http://www.forestry.gov.uk/forestry/infd-5gzlsn

cakesie

Whytepeak wrote:

How is whinlatter set out. Is there a visitor centre and car park? Yes
Are there maps of the trails available? Yes
Is the whole route now open? Yes, but part is closed due to frost damage
What is the terrain like around the forest, is it good for walking, as my family are thinking of doing so while i ride the trail. Yes, there are lots of footpaths throught the forest and the fire roads are good too. It is quite hilly so can be strenuous.
Very sorry for all the Q's, i am thinking of going in 8 days - saturday.
Thanks.

Whytepeak

Thanks cakesie,
ps useful link tho SGP

Yukon Lad

whn its wet watch out on the north shore, cos combined with all of the slippy cack off the trees its lethal

Yukon Lad

Whytepeak

Went today - class, much better than grizedale on a hardtail.
but the last decent was over too quickly.
p.s, if you turn left up the forest track at the end of the decent, is there singletrack that follows the road for a short while, back to the visistor centre - annoyed if i missed it :?

Yukon Lad

there is a short bit of singletrack that is right opposite the end of the descent but it is quite literally about 100m long if that so i wouldn't be to bothered, if you turn left though after the descent and go back uphill you get up to a large area with 4 fireroads branching off it, (including the one you just came up on) facing up the track you just used the firerooad to your left after about 150m takes you back to the last descent

*Russ*

does anyone know whether there are still closed sections, if im going to make the trip up i would prefer to do it all.