[Closed] Helvellyn, Skiddaw & Ullswater East

I'd had my eye on a biggish Lakes ride for some time so with the trails in dry condition decided to give it a go.

Left Glenridding at 7:15am and rode up under Catstycam to Kepple Cove
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Up the zig-zags to see the summit in clag
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With cloud at the summit & a fresh breeze I was beginning to feel a little under-dressed – how wrong can you be?
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Warmed up when I got going again & soon reached Sticks Pass. The track onto Stybarrow Dodd has been sanitised since I was last here, it used to be a line in the grass
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Took a butty stop in the wind shelter on Great Dodd.
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I normally ride onto Clough Head & just drop off the east side but with the ground so dry I decided to have a look at the BW directly from the summit to the Old Coach Road. I was not disappointed, 2.5 miles of descent & not a gate in sight
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Followed the OCR and Skiddaw loomed into sight on the far side of the Vale of Keswick– gulp
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Dropped down through the quarry workings
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Must have nicked a side wall. It wouldn’t reseal so had to put a tube in – grrr
Detoured to Keswick Mountain Bikes for spare tube then headed out along Spooney Green Lane
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Then it was a push/carry up the front of Jenkin Hill till the gradient eased & was able to ride again.
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Derwent Water below
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And so to the summit
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I had decided on the way up that I would not be descending the way I had come due to the high level of foot traffic so took the Sale How ridge to Skiddaw House where I pinch flatted near the top. God I hate tubes
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Dropped into Threlkeld and retraced my tyre marks back through the quarry & up & over the Coach Road. Tarmac bashing followed to Pooley Bridge where I was going to take the road down to Howtown. As it was a nice day I decided to climb up to the Cockpit to sample the delights of the superb run down to Howtown from there
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A short climb led to Martindale Hause
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And then Sandwick & the East shore BW
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‘Only’ 3.5 miles to go but they are probably the most technical 3.5miles in the entire Lake District. It certainly felt like it after 53 miles of riding! Superb views though
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Eventually reached the car in Glenridding very hot very sweaty and with a dusty bike

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91km, 3987m ascent in 10.5 hours/ 7:42 in the saddle, about 6litres of water, a nicked side wall, 2 tubes and lots fun

Apologies for the picture content of bike bike & bike but I was on my own and got fed up setting up the tripod.