A few of the blokes from our cycling club are heading upto the Lakes early Feb (Coniston based)

fit and capable lads but we haven’t the best knowledge of routes.

apart from trail centres could anyone recommend some rides (say 4-5 hours in the saddle)

we don’t mind driving one day (we don’t have to start in Coniston)

most will be on hardtails

thanks
Craig

Plenty of good stuff at Grizedale forest that isn’t the trail centre, also get to wheelbase who will sell you some maps (or find them online) of the various bits on offer around Staveley (garburn pass etc)

you can do a big day out from coniston going round the lake over into grizedale [ and down the bridleway – Parkmoor??- and back up to finish with the descent of Walna Scar – cannot remember distance but 26 ish miles ???

Can sort out a route if you are interested

Ride to my house and watch the kids so I can get a ride in?

You could have 4 days of ACE riding from Coniston and not cover the same trails twice. Superb biking location.

Obvious classic, Torver, Hummer lane, Broughton Forest, Natty Bridge, Stephenson Ground, Seathwaite, up and Over Walna, turn left at carpark and cheeky path through Coppermines.

Grizedale
Coniston, Ascend Lawson Park 2, Parkamoor, Moor Lane to Satterthwaite, Breasty Haw, Devils Gallop, Claife Heights, Colthouse, Hawshead, Moor Top, Descend Lawson Park 1.

Or LOTS of majorly cheeky high level poaching stuff.

a RAKE of fine ale can be got in Coniston too.

Not to mention all the good stuff out at Tilberthwaite/Oxen Fell/Iron Keld

we need a guide! haha

when are you there ? Might be able to do a Sunday

Get the VG Lakes guide. Has Walna Scar, a few Grizedale routes for some pick’n’mix routes, plus Iron Keld, Tilberthwaite, Loughrigg type fun.

http://www.v-publishing.co.uk/books/categories/mountain-biking/lake-district-mountain-biking.html

Decent three hour ride (easy to follow on a Garmin as well)

http://www.gpsies.com/map.do;jsessionid=C68991D3DFBDD409AC3516BC7B47C0E5?fileId=zcwovqrryhgzcfaq

+1 for the VG guide. Ours is VERY well used.

You could do the Parkamoor, Walna Scar, Grizedale epic. We did a variation on the one in the book (but from Hawkshead), but mid summer. It was 4800+ ft of climbing and an all day job of nearly 30 miles. May not be the best for Feb. Loads of fab riding – get the book and the maps and you cant go too wrong.

Junkard’s route is basically this one -http://www.pedalnorth.com/content/tour-de-coniston , it’s a good day out. Worth having a look at some of the other rides on that site.

http://www.industrialfellbiking.co.uk/category/the-lakes/
http://www.mountain-bike-cumbria.co.uk/trails.php

There’s always Strava…. 🙄

That gpsies one ^^^^^^ is one of my faves….

Higher routes could be limited by snow and ice in Feb. Lots to go at though, you’ll have an ace time.

Anyone done Coniston old man, then along ridges north to wet side edge and down. Is the descent off Any good. Best way up? Also s it worth riding along Hole Rake? If so which direction best. I’m thinking up Tilberthwaite the. Doubt and into copper mines.

Cheers

thanks guys! like on of you say the higher ground could be off limits – lots of snow on the tops this weekend.

I have a book with a long day ‘Grizedale Grunt’ which is local and lowland.

http://www.pedalnorth.com/content/lake-district-mtb-routes

think I’ll just pick 2 from here – maybe not the higher routes due to snow

Can I recommend
http://www.northerneyebooks.co.uk/neb/books/lake_district_mountain_bike_routes.php

Probably the only Lake District guide you’ll ever need – unless you want to take the author with you 😉

Enjoy your trip…