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I have been on the Kielder website and had not realied just how many trails there are there. I was thinking of riding Whinlatter on Friday, but Kielder looks pretty tasty.
Looking at the map, I was thinking about doing the Lonesome Pine (red) and then Deadwater Red (first part), Deadwater Black (up to Deadwater Fell), and then the second part of Deadwater Red. I guess I would then have the option of doing the first part of Deadwater red again in order to access the second part of Deadwater black.
How do the black options compare with say Kirroughtree black or Glentress Black. When I ride Kirroughtree it is fine as the black is more of a long red route with short bits of Black I can just walk up/down/over.
Any comments appreciated. I'll probably end up riding both Whinlatter and Kielder, but was wondering if there is a big difference in quality between the two centres.
The lonesome pine trail is a bit ordinary Simon. Certainly do it if you're there, but it's just a nice fire road meander through the hills by and large. Livens up a wee bit descending back down to the lake.
I think they were extending it somewhat when I was there (summer 2009) so maybe there's better bits available now.
Ah right - so maybe I should do Whinlatter as planned, and then Kielder the week after if I am just in the mood for a shorter but sharper ride if its a little colder!
There were some lovely bits when I did the K100. Didn't have to stop and really appreciate it though.
Luked2 - cheers - but which trails were the K100 on? Do you know? (Or anyone else?)
The deadwater trail was good I thought - I only had my cross bike with me (was on a family holiday by the lake) so swerved the black route, but the red up to the top and down was fun. Combined with the lonesome pine this would be a good day - even if it's just to ride somewhere you've not been before.
Once you get close to the top of deadwater there is a loop up to the weather station (or whatever it is) at the highest point of the fell and back down - be aware that this is completely fire road and would be only worth doing if it's a clear day for the views IMO. I went up it in a rain storm where ye couldn't see 50 feet and it was pish.
I'm actually quite happy pootling around on fireroad you know - and as I am not in gainful employment right now I can pretty much pick the day for the ride.
Deadwood trail is good - the black descent is great fun with some fun drops/jumps. Not done the Lonesome Pine trail. Agree about the weather station bit, not really worth it imo - the climb seems to go on forever.
Whinlatter is good too - smoother generally than Kielder but with amazing views on a clear day. The blue is well worth doing as well.
Lonesome pine is pretty old school XC.
Long climbs (they're slowly replacing the fire road with other trails) and a nice decent. It's not bermed with jumps and drops though so you may be disappointed if you are expecting GT style BMX park riding.
I really like deadwater. Last time it was pretty cut up. You can quite easily get to the top do the black and then climb back up to do the red.
Nothing particularly difficult on the black. Some interesting north shore at the start which is over a deep bog and "interesting" in the wet and windy conditions you are likely to find. I wouldn't say anything on the black was harder than that at GT (which seems to be long rather than hard).
The new blue is nice too, worth it if you want distance.
My favourite ride at Kielder is to use the Lonesome pine and bloody bush trails to link up to Newcastleton. Really good day out with a mix of trailcentre style riding and some bits that feel very natural and remote. Bloody bush is really stunning in good weather (views). The trail itself is made up of lots of small rocks and beats you up, it was a nightmare on the 100.
IMO both worth riding, Kielder is very exposed in places so make sure you go on a nice day.
Well I keep looking at weather reports for Friday and one is saying mainly cloudy and another is saying rain. Fingers crossed ay! I wish I had gone out to Kielder today as I have discovered it really is not all that far away from me.
Oh I can't be dealing with rocks beating me up, nor a route that is too long. I am more an XC rider than anything that involves air between my wheels and terra firma 😀
- and as I am not in gainful employment right now I can pretty much pick the day for the ride.
Take a day and do an epic Kielder ride. Lonesome pine, bloody bush, Newcastleton, Deadwater and the new blue. It's about 65 miles. I did it as a traiing ride for Kielder 100 although I'd put in 2 loops of deadwater to get some more climbing and a nice round 75 miles.
It's about 65 miles.
I really don't think any part of my body could handle that! Maybe do it in two parts - do the juicy singletrack first and then take a rain check and see if I want to return, which I obviously can do quite easily living up here right now.
Only been to Kielder once and did the red trail with the early black section and including the Weather station. I actually felt cheated by the weather station climb and descent!
Overall a bit dull.
Whereas i love both contrasting Whinlatter loops and look forward to trying the blue.
Cheers Mugboo
It seems the weather is going to pick up for Friday so I'll try Whinlatter first and then maybe Kielder next week, assuming I am now down in London.
Hi Simon
Will keep an eye out for you next week at Kielder next week. Expecting to ride there with GF when the weather looks good. Mon and Tues are looking pants...
Paul