Where to ride tomorrow?

jamiedallow

Hi,

I can't deceide where to ride tomorrow. Starting in Shropshire, willing to drive 3 hours for something good, currently thinking The North Face Trail, Grizedale, Lake District. Anyone got any suggestions within 3 hours in any direction?

Cheers

Jamie

sandybean

Hey there,

I was supposed to be going to Grizedale tomorrow until the tummy bug i've had all week defeated me!
Grizedales good but if you want someting a little more challenging i'd try Gisburn. All man made trails with the 'not to be missed' Hully Gully, lovingly described as the roller coaster.
Google The Dog and Partridge pub in Tosside which is the best place to park with cafe, bar and free bike wash. Check it out on youtube too. Sandy. PS we are definately doing Grizedale next Sunday if you want to try it then.

Anonymous

Coed y Brenin, Afan, Climachx, Penmachno, Marin. Loads of things in Wales, much closr than Grizedale.
In fact, I'd say Grizedale looks like such a trek, I'd suggest you might be better off making a weekend of that one, and throw is a few palces nearby.

jamiedallow

Hi Sandy

Thanks for replying to me! I've just youtubed that and googled the pub for google maps, it looks really good and something challenging will be good! Not heard of it before so thank you! I'm going to go and give it a bash tomorrow. Sorry to hear about your bug....better to let it get out of the way though, it'd spoil an otherwise good ride throwing up half way over a jump ;-)

Do you know if the pub has gates on the carpark or anything? Im aiming on leaving home pretty early so I can get back and have abit of time in the afternoon to do afew bits.

I loved the North Face, end section is really good if you get your foot down, have only ridden there once and have wanted to go back since, it wasn't challenging (well a few bits were because it was snowing and icy!) but was really enjoyable.

Wont be able to make Grizedale again for a good few weeks but definatly will be up there at some point soon!

My local(ish) rides are Coed Y Brenin, Llandegla, Climax, Penmachno, Marin and occasionally Afan.


Thanks again for the advice, I'll update tomorrow with how I get on!


Thanks

Jamie

jamiedallow

Hi yeehaamcgee

Thanks for getting back to me. I've ridden all of them in the last 6 months (I'd say penmachno loop1 is my fav at the mo, closely followed by climax with its final descent) so just fancied something abit further a field. I did 1 of the centres in south wales last year and was really disapointed in it, seemed loads of up hill, no reward and loads of frustrating gates/style things that upset anything decent so giving that a miss for 6 months or so so thought I'd head North. Grizedale is a good trek away your right. Im going to go to Gisburn that Sandy has suggested to me, only about 2 hours away (about the same as Afan for me), youtube vids of it look really good.

Any suggestions for rides to go along with Grizedale when I make the trek up there?

Cheers

Jamie

sandybean

Don't think there are any gates but you can park on the road leading to the start of the trail. There are 2 loops on the red and its not altogether marked as well as some of the other trails but i'm sure you'll figure it out. I've done some in Wales and for me it can't be beaten! Hoping to try Afan before the years out. Ooh i'm excited for you!! (the emotion comes from being a bird!) Good luck! And don't leave without doing hully gully!

sandybean

Me again,

For Grizedale you could also try winlatter forest. North and South Red loop and quite a fun small blue route to get you warmed up. The loops are both pretty much straight assents and descents from memory but loads of fun on the way down! Also recommend you buy the book 'mountain biking trail centres' by Tom Fenton. Its a little out of date but has been my bible for MTB adventures all over the UK

Anonymous

jamiedallow wrote:

Hi yeehaamcgee

Thanks for getting back to me. I've ridden all of them in the last 6 months

Ah, fair enough. I just mentioned them in case you hadn't realised how much closer they were

jamiedallow

Hi Sandy, appologies for the lenghty delay in getting back to you. I did Gisburn forest as you suggested, some cracking parts in it!! Loved the slab, hully gully and all the other black bits! Will be going back again soon. Started from the pub as you suggested and had a quick snack there before leaving for home. Will definatly start from there again, and probably do the top loop twice instead of doing the top then bottom, i was abit dissapointed with the lower loop but its easy as cake to miss out and do top twice with starting at the pub. Did you manage to get to Grizedale the weekend after? Back on full riding form now and over the flu??

Thanks again for the suggestion!!

Jamie

stumpyjon

The bottom loop is still a work in progress, we're currently building a section (by hand) to bypass a lot of the fireroad which will improve things. There are plans in the future to remove more of the fireroad, just need more funding or more willing volunteer hands.

sandybean

Hi Jamie,

Glad you enjoyed it. Yeh the first loop is the best. I haven't the guts to try the slab drop!
I'm up and running again. Been to the peak district today which was fun. Doing coniston and Sedgeburgh next weekend and parts of the 7 staines the weekend after. Trouble is I now want to upgrade to full sus with no spare dosh!!

Have you been anywhere this weekend?

Sandy