The Lake District

angry_bird

I'm off to the lakes shortly. Last few times I've been to the lakes it's been walking, either doing my DofE or supervising DofE groups, not been up there with the bike for about 5 years and then I didn't get to do much because of "family".

So I've got a week, what routes should I be riding?

Natural or trail centre, preferably natural though. Not got any problems with navigation if that comes into it.

Any suggestions?

altern_8

when we go over to the lakes we normally do this route>>>

http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/11483311

there is also a slightly diff route in this months mbr taking in walna scar.

pdid

For trail centres give Whinlatter a go, if going to Grizedale do a combination of The North Face and local bridleways, see here:

http://www.ridethelakes.co.uk/cms/index ... board=14.0

Then you may want to try the Borrowdale Bash and some good riding in the Kentmere Valley taking in High Street if possible. You could also head over to Walna Scar.

TBH you could spend a week riding different routes around Grizedale.

I recommend this book as a basis for planning routes:

http://www.v-outdoor.co.uk/products/mou ... dition.php

leeshields

If you are near Keswick the Skiddaw loop is fantastic, Road ride to start but then it's natural all the way back to town. Longscale fell is amazing, but don't be afraid to get off when the fear sets in, it's quite a drop if you get it wrong.

We rode from Braithwaite camp site and it was about 22 miles

Went to Whinlatter the next day and quite frankly I thought it was garbage. We did the south loop. Hellish climb up, slippery to the point of dangerous along the top and then a fast descent and finish down a fireroad. We didn't bother doing the north loop after that. Total garbage compared to somewhere like Glentress in my opinion, if I was up there I wouldn't touch Whinlatter when there is so much great natural riding to be had

Lee

hoochylala

Here;

http://www.bogtrotters.org/list_routes.php

Has a very good list of varying routes in the Lakes

angry_bird

Thanks guys, really helpful stuff

leeshields wrote:

Went to Whinlatter the next day and quite frankly I thought it was garbage. We did the south loop. Hellish climb up, slippery to the point of dangerous along the top and then a fast descent and finish down a fireroad. We didn't bother doing the north loop after that. Total garbage compared to somewhere like Glentress in my opinion, if I was up there I wouldn't touch Whinlatter when there is so much great natural riding to be had

Lee

I doubt I'll be visiting Whinlatter, if I'm honest I wasn't massively impressed by Glentress, sure it's fun with some awesome descending to be done but IMO Kirroughtree and Dalbeattie are much more enjoyable overall, they had something less generic trail centre about them.

Anyway natural stuff is where it's at :P

trailpuppet

I doubt I'll be visiting Whinlatter, if I'm honest I wasn't massively impressed by Glentress, sure it's fun with some awesome descending to be done but IMO Kirroughtree and Dalbeattie are much more enjoyable overall, they had something less generic trail centre about them.

That Boggies resource is brill.

Many of the Lakes shops have printed/abbreviated maps of the best of the local classics
Walna Scar
Garburn Pass
High St (weather dependent)
Kentmere
Skiddaw+Caldbeck Fell route
Howgills
Calf/Bowderdale from Sedburgh

http://www.offroadadventures-online.com/
http://www.mountain-bike-cumbria.co.uk/trails.php
http://www.wheelbase.co.uk/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/dave-lowe/3990141566/

shaunlfc1

I did a weeks riding last August, and used bogtrotters for the ride choice and local information, superb group of people, great website, and always at the end of an email to help with local conditions, ride direction etc... etc... highly recommended.

Personally the tour of Skiddaw is a must, simply awesome. Grizedale is excellent, look up the parkamoor natural extension out of the north face trail, superb views over coniston water, and a great long down hill back to the village where you pick the north face trail up again.

Whinlatter is the better of the two trail centers in my eyes up near Keswick.

Enjoy your holiday,

Shaun

magic johnson

Theres a great ride on here: http://www.about-bikes.com/rides.asp

We do it regularly when we are up there......and theres a nice pub that comes up about half way round too!!

Ade