Stopping at lakes for 1 day to ride. Whinlatter?

Miggins
Miggins Posts: 433
edited June 2011 in Routes
I'll be stopping at the Lake District on my way back up to Aberdeenshire after visiting the parents down south. I'm looking at getting a B & B just outside of Keswick for two reasons:

1 - It's not too far from the M6 to continue my journey the next day
2 - I'd like to ride Whinlatter

Good choice or somewhere else?
After uphill there's downhill

Comments

  • The Northern Monkey
    The Northern Monkey Posts: 19,174
    very good trail.. one of my favs!
    Santa Cruz Butcher
  • Stu 74
    Stu 74 Posts: 463
    Did Whinlatter for the first time on Friday - brilliant trail! Pretty technical for a red trail. The big descent from the summit is awseome. Be prepared to get wet!

    Stu
  • fungus_the_muffin_man
    fungus_the_muffin_man Posts: 1,608
    I've rode it once and even though I went ass over tit smashing my leg up on a technical bit of track and rocks I loved it. I can't wait to go back again and it would be great to ride it dry. The day we did it it was pouring with rain and it didn''t make it any less enjoyable.
    Bianchi. There are no alternatives only compromises!
    I RIDE A KONA CADABRA -would you like to come and have a play with my magic link?
  • Miggins
    Miggins Posts: 433
    .....is all I need to know :wink: Cheers guys. Sounds great. Looking forward to it.
    After uphill there's downhill
  • trailpuppet
    trailpuppet Posts: 381
    Might like to try Penrith for accom, bit cheaper and lots of Lakes/Keswick B&Bs have min 2 or 3 night requirement.

    There is a Travelodge type thing at the Penrith/Keswick roundabout if that would do the job.

    As above, trail is fun as is adding the blue to your day :lol:
    Expect to ride whole red route in about 2hrs
  • BennyB
    BennyB Posts: 174
    whinlatter is awesome! You will love it
    Ime diving, ime bored, ime on the diving board
  • RLyons
    RLyons Posts: 67
    How long is the "red run"? I assume the route is easy to follow if you just turn up at the visitors centre?

    Also - does anyone know what the hire bikes are like from there? I'm planning on going up in a few weeks but one of my mates needs a rental...
  • trailpuppet
    trailpuppet Posts: 381
    http://www.cyclewise.co.uk/
    All you need to know.
    The trail is divided into North/South and Blue. Big climb to start with on both side with some good descents :lol:
    All depends on your experience there is nothing too difficult, maybe some slippy rock sections if it is wet :roll:
    2hrs to do North & South then do the extended Blue which is a real smiley section and must be done :lol:
  • Matt_
    Matt_ Posts: 82
    It's good as far as trail centres go but I'd rather ride the natural routes myself. You could ride Skiddaw... or the Borrowdale Bash.
    Current Bikes:
    2010 Trek Fuel EX8
    2009 Specialized Allez Sport
    2006 Scott Reflex 20

    Lakes Mountain Bike Routes
  • RLyons
    RLyons Posts: 67
    Thanks for the pointer, the forestry commission site is useless...!

    Even doing all three parts it is only 19km, roughly how long would that take for an averagely fit rider? I want to do a fairly big ride but finding a good start point near a bike hire shop is quite limiting.
  • Matt_
    Matt_ Posts: 82
    Couple of hours to do the North and South loops I think but I haven't been for a while so can't remember exactly. Personally I don't bother with the blue route, it's a bit tame. I know a lot of people do like riding it though so I am probably in the minority in thinking that.
    Current Bikes:
    2010 Trek Fuel EX8
    2009 Specialized Allez Sport
    2006 Scott Reflex 20

    Lakes Mountain Bike Routes
  • trailpuppet
    trailpuppet Posts: 381
    RLyons


    Joined: 26 Jan 2011
    Posts: 25
    Location: Cheshire / Macclesfield


    Posted Wed Jun 8, 2011 12:03 pm
    Thanks for the pointer, the forestry commission site is useless...!

    Even doing all three parts it is only 19km, roughly how long would that take for an averagely fit rider? I want to do a fairly big ride but finding a good start point near a bike hire shop is quite limiting.
    You could do the Borrowdale Bash as an add on. Would mean a fair bit of road riding tho.
    Another add-on would be the Blencartha circuit. Old railway line from Keswick to Threlkeld and then up Blencartha. Possibly up to Skiddaw YHA and then turn around for the descent. Then along Glendertera and down Latrigg Terrace and back up to Whinlatter :lol:

    Other bike hire options are Biketreks and Ghylside in Ambleside and Wheelbase in Staveley
  • RLyons
    RLyons Posts: 67
    Thanks! Probably do the lot and see how we feel, could always do part of it twice!
  • spondonchris
    spondonchris Posts: 74
    would recommend the north and the south loop and it is worth doing the south descent a couple of times as its a grin!
  • neninja
    neninja Posts: 424
    I'm with Matt - I'd rather ride the natural trails round there. If you want a longer ride from a bike hire shop try the Skiddaw Circuit - starting from Keswick town centre it will be about 48km - there are a couple of hire options in the town.

    Head up Lonscale fell to Skiddaw House YH, head west along the excellent bridleway to Mosedale, up a short road section to Calebreck, across the old mining trails to Fellside, Longlands, Orthwaite and up Whitewater Dash back to Skiddaw House and back down to Keswick.

    http://www.keswickbikes.co.uk/acatalog/ ... .html#a370

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