looking at option for riding from Keswick to Ambleside on mtb.
we would have used the road at the back of Thirlmere. but i think it is shut.
so, up Langstrath and over Stake pass ? or Wantendlath and Blea tarn?
any options i have missed. ideas greatly appreciated.
Yes back of Thirlmere road is shut, though i gather cyclist are still climbing around the fences closing it. You have to walk along teh top of the wall holding your bike in one hand over the drop down tothe resevoir, and then push back a fence pannel, but of course, you coul get there and find they have made it more secure. Or a tree could fall down on you.
If you do not mind riding along the A591 for about 3km from where the St Johns in the vale road joins, you can take the track through the forest from the Swirls car park. which will take you to the road juction at the north end of Thirlmere. You can then pick up the cycle path up to Dumail coll from Steel End farm.
It is the track thay used to take school children by minibus when they were doing the roadworks a few years back
A few weeks back comming back from Dumfireis in the rain in 'touring' mode, i just rode allomng the A591, It was Ok , I did pull off the road a few times to let traficm like buses pass.