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I'm planning a day over the Lakes in early December and having read the top 10 descents thread,the Ullock Pike ride is high on the list atm.
I have done the back of Skiddaw route before and when looking at the [url= http://www.gpsies.com/map.do?fileId=jbeqodbvmjtfyfkv&referrer=trackList ]Ullock Pike route[/url], it seems to have the same road linking section?
Looking at the map, there is nothing stopping me parking up around [url= http://wtp2.appspot.com/wheresthepath.htm?lat=54.67475998864981&lon=-3.1755568829423573&gz=13&oz=8>=1&jos=1 ]Melbecks[/url], following the track over to Skiddaw House, down Glenderaterra then pick up the climb onto Skiddaw / Ullock at Whit Beck?
It seems like it is too easy to combine the two to pick up the best of both and miss out the road bits or am I missing something?
You need to be careful with the weather on this one...any ice on the top bit down Carlside could be very interesting! 😯 It's smooth and hard-packed on that bit, more like a very steep trail centre!
+1. It's worth having a plan B up your sleeve - if there's snow on the summit you'd probably have more fun descending north via Bakestall. It's also a bit of a pig navigating the summit if you're in the cloud.
Cheers, will definitely have a plan b.
Looking to drive over for an early start so if the weather is looking poor, we might head toward Grizedale or somewhere more sheltered.
I did the Borrowdale bash last year and when I set off from Keswick, it was -8 deg and apart from the frozen streams, the route itself wad generally rideable.
I ride in minus temps myself, the rougher, rockier or softer the trail, the less of a problem with ice. It's the hard, smoother stuff that's dodgy...the descent off Carlside will be like a toboggan chute!
The Borrowdale Bash doesn't gain much height either, a bit different to the top of Skiddaw.
d45ythI ride in minus temps myself, the rougher, rockier or softer the trail, the less of a problem with ice. It's the hard, smoother stuff that's dodgy...the descent off Carlside will be like a toboggan chute!
The Borrowdale Bash doesn't gain much height either, a bit different to the top of Skiddaw.
Oh, I totally agree. I was hoping not to do the Borrodale Bash in similar weather as I did the last time and hit that during the summer months.
Can anyone recommend a good 'plan B' route should the conditions be poor?
I did the Ullock Pike, Back o' Skiddaw combo last month starting from Threlkeld.
Brilliant day out!!
I ride in minus temps myself,
When....? You usually hibernate all winter!! 😆