I’m off to Windemere at the end of the week for a weeks holiday and was planning to take the mtb, but the seal on rear shock went on a ride last week so thinking of hiring a bike for a day whilst I’m there, can anyone recommend a good bike shop in Windemere or close by where I could hire something half decent for a day or so?

Try Wheelbase in Staveley or Biketreks/Ghyllside Cycles in Ambleside.

I’d avoid velo bikes in Grizedale forest. A mate tried to hire a full susser there for the weekend. The first one was pretty well used and had knackered gears plus a rear tyre that kept puncturing. He stuck it out for the day and then they gave him another equally well used bike with a mahoosively buckled front wheel. He ended up taking it back after 20 minutes of riding as he felt it was just going to chuck him off. Not good.

Apparently, it was the bike shop local to Windemere that hires out full sussers.

Hmm.