Riding in the Lakes...suggestions

CycloRos

Hi folks,
Heading to the lakes for a week in July, touring in my camper and I'm trying to plot a route. The problem is I'm not very familiar with the area and want to make the most out of the week.

So can any of you knowledgeable chaps suggest any "must ride" areas that I should try to include? Preferably natural stuff...

I want to try and avoid the tourist honey traps where possible and if anyone has any campsite recommendations (with hard-standing for the vw) that'd be great!

Cheers

pdid

TBH you can`t really go far wrong in the Lakes. Grizedale is fantastic, as well as the North Face trail there are loads of natural bridleways running through the area. Staveley and Kentmere area has some fantastic trails. Check out Ride the lakes, their forums have some excellent routes.

If your have memory map you can download routes from mtb sharp:

http://www.mtbsharp.co.uk/routes/lakes/index.html

If your going at the end of July I would avoid anything too close to Ambleside as the footpaths and bridleways get choked with walkers.

CycloRos

Thanks for the links and suggestions pdid

Kentmere looks like a good place to start, then carry on up to Ullswater and explore round there. I do like the look of the "Borrowdale Bash" route too

Rode Grizedale on my one and only trip to the lakes last year (which was ok) so probably going to miss that out.

The Altura/Whinlatter trail is a definite though, is it any good?

ratty2k

Grizedale NFT or the natural stuff? Big advantage of Grizedale is its not that high... So the climbs aren't all that bad, and if the weather closes in, still ridable... Whinlatter aint bad, but there is better stuff, the link already posted has some great stuff.

CycloRos

Just did the NFT and enjoyed it but didn't really have time to explore the natural riding round there. The lack of elevation is what's kind of put me off doing it again TBH...

Yeah that link rocks! Anyone got any experiences they'd like to share having ridden them?

pdid

Ridden most of the Borrowdale bash and it is an excellent route. It`s got a bit of everything from lung busting climbs to steep technical downhills.

One other consideration for you if your in that neck of the woods would be the Howgills and in particular the Calf and Bowderdale from Sedbergh. The Bowderdale descent offers some glorious singletrack and its a really tough climb up the Calf.

Oh and the bridleways around Grizedale are excellent really rocky and technical

CycloRos

The "Borrowdale Bash" route sounds like it'll be perfect!

I'll get hold of an OS map and see what else Grizedale has to offer too, I can always call in their on the way back, provided I've got any energy left

ratty2k

CycloRos wrote:

Just did the NFT and enjoyed it but didn't really have time to explore the natural riding round there. The lack of elevation is what's kind of put me off doing it again TBH...

Dont let it put you off, there are some fantastic descents you're missing out on!

Myself and a couple of mates are up there for 3 days in Sept. and it will be one of the routes we ride... Probable itinerary is: Whinlatter the day we arrive, then beer and food. Next day, High Street? we had a go last year, but bad weather turned us back... more beer and food. last day, Grizedale, bits of the NFT and the rest all natural...

Ditch Witch

CycloRos wrote:

Hi folks,
Heading to the lakes for a week in July, touring in my camper and I'm trying to plot a route. The problem is I'm not very familiar with the area and want to make the most out of the week.

So can any of you knowledgeable chaps suggest any "must ride" areas that I should try to include? Preferably natural stuff...

I want to try and avoid the tourist honey traps where possible and if anyone has any campsite recommendations (with hard-standing for the vw) that'd be great!

Cheers

Funnily enough, we're going to be in the lakes in our camper in July, at Ullswater


We're staying here

www.watersidefarm-campsite.co.uk

They have leccy hookup and it's right on Ullswater

CycloRos

Thanks for the link Ditch Witch. If you happen to see a bright green type2 VW then make sure you say hello

ok I'm starting to get a route together in my head -
* cruise off the M6 stopping off for a blast around Kentmere
* carry on up to Ullswater (setup camp) and explore the area
* head over toward Keswick to do Borrowdale and Whinlatter (setup camp)
* then back down calling in at Grizedale checking out the natural trails on offer[/list]

OwenB

Plenty of routes on here too. http://www.mountain-bike-cumbria.co.uk/trails.php

topsey_turvey

CycloRos wrote:

The lack of elevation is what's kind of put me off doing it again TBH...

Lack of Elevation? In Grizedale? Where did you go? You must have missed all the best bits. You weren't following those silly little arrows were you? If you've got Memory Map or Tracklogs and want a .gpx route with plenty on elevation, ping me your e-mail address.

CycloRos

Just did the NFT which had some good decents but I've done better

Want to do some areas I've not been to before on this trip, which is why Grizedale is toward the bottom of my list.

@OwenB : thanks for the link

trailpuppet

all the routes you`ll ever need here
http://www.bogtrotters.org/route/showro ... p?route=54

Most if not all the bike shops will have small section printed maps of all the Lakes "clasics" costing around £2ish. Biketreks did have a section of an OS map with all the Ambleside start rides fo around a fiver that looked good.

Parking atm is free behind Wheelbase @ Staveley between Kendal & Windermere. Good start for Garburn Pass ride and others.

Main bike shops, Evans in Kendal, Wheelbase in Stavely, Biketreks in Ambleside, Keswick MTB in Keswick. Other smaller shops here and there.

If you are going near Grizdale there is some free(or was)parking just south of the visitor centre @ Boggle Crag(sp ?)

Rides out of the likes of Sedburgh, Hawes, Dent in the Howgills, Wensleydale are a good alternative to the busy Lakes.

http://www.ukcampsite.co.uk/sites/detai ... revid=1738

Gives you camping and access to Keswick riding, Whinlatter, Borrowdale Bash(good)Blencartha/Latrigg + add on the Skiddaw/Mosedale loop for a big day out. Not too far away from Cross Fell and High Cup Nick on the other side of the M6 @ Dufton/Kirkland.

CycloRos

trailpuppet wrote:

all the routes you`ll ever need here
http://www.bogtrotters.org/route/showro ... p?route=54

Excellent link amigo!

Started off not having a clue about the Lakes, I've now got trails coming out of my ears! Good work people

OwenB

CycloRos wrote:

trailpuppet wrote:

all the routes you`ll ever need here
http://www.bogtrotters.org/route/showro ... p?route=54

Excellent link amigo!

Started off not having a clue about the Lakes, I've now got trails coming out of my ears! Good work people

If you fancy riding as part of a group when you're up here I'd give the Bogtrotters a shout, I've been out with them and they seem to be a good bunch of folk and do some nice routes and have a laugh while they're at it.

GHill

If you're parking at Wheelbase make sure you pop into Wilf's cafe when you're done 8)

dave_hill

CycloRos wrote:

So can any of you knowledgeable chaps suggest any "must ride" areas that I should try to include? Preferably natural stuff...

Be aware that if you go to the "honeypot" areas like Windermere, Keswick, Ambleside, Hawkshead, etc., then the best times to ride are stupid o'clock in the morning before the rabble get out or early evening when they've gone back to their hotels.

Regrettably, the Lakes is a victim of it's own success and it can be hell on wheels in high season. However, if you're prepared to venture into the hills and away from the popular areas there's the best riding ever to be had.

snotty badger

I regularly do the "The Bash", its my favorite ride. The downhill from Watendlath is awesome!

Its a must do if IMHO.

jam1e

GHill wrote:

If you're parking at Wheelbase make sure you pop into Wilf's cafe when you're done 8)

Screw that, Wilfs isn't half the place it used to be imho . Sloooooooooow service, small portions of not particularly good food at high prices and it doesn't open early enough to get a decent breakfast in before a ride. The only thing going for it is the amount of seating. It seems to be one of those places trading on its history - all mtbers/ramblers know they have to go there so Wilfs know they don't have to make an effort anymore.

Where you want to go is about 50m to the right of Wilfs and it's called "The Organic Bakery" or something - much much better in terms of food and service. (Their cakes are simply awesome - look like works of art and taste fantastic )

In terms of Grizedale biking I think the TNF trail is fairly poor if you want something more than a quick blast. There are loads of quality trails with some seriously steep hills criss-crossing the whole forest if you can be bothered looking for them...

topsey_turvey

jam1e wrote:

GHill wrote:

If you're parking at Wheelbase make sure you pop into Wilf's cafe when you're done 8)

Screw that, Wilfs isn't half the place it used to be imho . Sloooooooooow service, small portions of not particularly good food at high prices and it doesn't open early enough to get a decent breakfast in before a ride. The only thing going for it is the amount of seating. It seems to be one of those places trading on its history - all mtbers/ramblers know they have to go there so Wilfs know they don't have to make an effort anymore.

Where you want to go is about 50m to the right of Wilfs and it's called "The Organic Bakery" or something - much much better in terms of food and service. (Their cakes are simply awesome - look like works of art and taste fantastic )

In terms of Grizedale biking I think the TNF trail is fairly poor if you want something more than a quick blast. There are loads of quality trails with some seriously steep hills criss-crossing the whole forest if you can be bothered looking for them...

Couldn't have put it better myself. Can't get the whole "Wilf's is great" thing at all. And the bakery makes great bread to take home.

jam1e

And if you buy a double espresso they normally only charge you for a single

Anyway, Lakes pre/post biking eating establishments took a nosedive when Daisys greasy spoon in Ambleside closed!

GHill

To be fair, it's quite a while since I've been in Wilf's. I stand corrected. :oops:

clarkson

there are loads of places in the lakes to ride. from ambleside there are loads of routes, jenkins cragg, claife heights, loughrigg fell, to name a few.

if you're in ambleside, go into biketreks and see the guys in there. they'll be more than happy to help you out with a route and are an awesme friendly bunch too.
my parents are going up there on the weekend, and i would be going with them if i wasnt going to france. but its an awesome place, so much to ride!

jam1e

GHill wrote:

To be fair, it's quite a while since I've been in Wilf's. I stand corrected. :oops:

Hold on to the memories, remember them for what they were and not what they've become, it's what they'd want...

whalley665

Defo go to the altura trail at whinlatter, best trail in the lake district.

CycloRos

Thanks guys, you've been a great help!

Like I hinted from the start I'll be avoiding the area between coniston and windermere a) cos it'll be very busy and b) I've ridden round there before. May call in for a bit more of an explore round Grizedale on the way back.

So it's looking like I'll be checking out Ullswater and Keswick areas including Whinlatter and the Borrowdale Bash.

oh and as for post ride munchies? that'll consist of a cold bevy from the fridge and a croissant. Campervans are great like that!

topsey_turvey

jam1e wrote:

GHill wrote:

To be fair, it's quite a while since I've been in Wilf's. I stand corrected. :oops:

Hold on to the memories, remember them for what they were and not what they've become, it's what they'd want...

You get better coffee and cakes upstairs at the wine shop next door to the brewery. And you can pick up a nice something for the evening on your way out.

dave_hill

whalley665 wrote:

Defo go to the altura trail at whinlatter, best trail in the lake district.

:shock: :shock: :shock:

Shouldn't that be "best man-made trail"????

pdid

dave_hill wrote:

whalley665 wrote:

Defo go to the altura trail at whinlatter, best trail in the lake district.

:shock: :shock: :shock:

Shouldn't that be "best man-made trail"????

My thoughts exactly :roll: :roll: :roll:

snotty badger

pdid wrote:

dave_hill wrote:

whalley665 wrote:

Defo go to the altura trail at whinlatter, best trail in the lake district.

:shock: :shock: :shock:

Shouldn't that be "best man-made trail"????

My thoughts exactly :roll: :roll: :roll:

I was just gonna say the same. But then theres only two official man made trails in the Lakes anyways!