MegaSack DRAW - This year's winner is user - rgwb
We will be in touch
I've got a couple of days with work at Staveley. I might get a couple of rides in 1 or 2 hours. Be a shame not to explore the location. Hopefully someone can give me tips about the rideability of some of the local trails.
I like climbs and long open tracks, a good view - old school mountain biking. I'll be on work time so no riding in the woods or stetchy stuff.
I've looked at maps and strava a little. So thinking about: (assume good weather!?)
Dubbs road - garburn road - garburn pass - descend to Kentmere: All rideable?
Kentmere Hall, south to Grassgarth?
Hagg Gill - park fell: How far along is that rideable?
Kentmere to Nan Bield: Rideable?
Kentmere, West-East to Sadgill: Looks a useful link if rideable?
Sadgill to Haweswater or Harter fell: ?
Any recommendations much appreciated. Many thanks,
Everything you've mentioned round there is all rideable. Although going up nan bield from kentmere is a big undertaking and the most accepted route is t'other way round.
What you'd probably be best doing is garburn pass via dubs road, then from kentmere head back to staveley via green quarter and HP plantation. You definitely get some views 👍
Lucky you! Staveley is an excellent base for MTB. The staff in Wheelbase will be able to advise you on suitable routes.
Or the recent Sam Houghton Challenge might inspire you (not the whole thing).
You should probably avoid the descent from Garburn to Kentmere - it's hard!
For a couple of hours I'd go NE from Staveley on to Staveley Head Fell, over to Green Quarter and down to Kentmere. From Kentmere Hall head south towards Grassgarth then either cut left down the Three Rivers descent (lower half has been sanitised) to Sawmill Cottage and back to Staveley. Or continue towards Grassgarth then cut left and down to Browfoot.
You could extend this by heading over to Longsleddale from Staveley Head Fell dropping down to Wad's Howe. Along the valley to Sadgill farm then the track over to Kentmere (probably push for many). I've not done the BW that leads SW back towards Staveley from part way up this track. If it's doable then you could use it to link up to the Green Quarter descent.
I'd avoid anything that crosses Green Quarter to or from Sadgill. It's fairly boggy in places.
If you can stretch the time my suggestion would be Dubbs rd, garburn to kentmere, kentmere hall be towards high borrans, three rivers to kentmere.
Thanks Martin - that's the one bit of BW in that area that I've never been across either by bike or by foot.
Thanks everyone for sharing your local knowledge. It's really useful to know which bits can / can't be ridden - be a shame to head out into an impassable bog when there's a good track to ride.
Good tip about the shop. Thanks for the map, that covers the area really well, its handy to know which way round to tackle the trails.
Very generous of you all to share your routes, now I've just got to do a weather dance.
Happy riding, wind to your backs...
HP Plantation is a good downhill... the 3 rivers has been sanitised and is terrible...
Enjoy the riding and also the eating. All the places near wheelbase are as good as ever. Wilfs for veggie chilli, hawkshead brewery, More for coffee. I had not been to wilfs for a few years but ate there last month, it really is very good.
Or Mr duffins on the high st for decent coffee.