MegaSack DRAW - This year's winner is user - rgwb
We will be in touch
Hi Folks
In April, me and a few mates are trying to plan a 2 day epic loop up in the Lakes.
Ideally starting from Ambleside, then riding for about 25 miles each day. We will need somewhere to stay (B&B) for the first night, and then have the second night in Ambleside.
Any suggestions on the route.
My first stab was something like this:
Leave Ambleside
Up and over Loughrigg
Elterwater
Down Mickleden
Up and over BlackCrags (but concerned about this, as I have walked it and it's tough)
Down into STonethwaite
Along Borrowdale
Then around Derwent Water to Keswick
Day 2
Leave Keswick heading East along the old railway line
Then head up Great Dodd
Along the top to Helvellyn
Across to Fairfield
Then down to Grasmere
Back to Ambleside along Loughrigg Terrace
Are there any local Lakes boys who have a better idea - or any thoughts on this as a route.
We wont be carrying much gear, as we will have it taken on by taxi to the digs.
Any help greatly appreciated.
The Major.
TBH I'd say that's a bit short, you could/should be able to add a fair bit more mileage into that especially as you're not carrying luggage and the clocks will have gone forward then too.
If you're going to do it, you may as well do it properly! I'd be aiming for 35-40 miles on the first day. Not claiming to be superman or anything but so long as you're reasonably fit and consistent, it's easily doable even in that terrain. Helvellyn stage is probably about as tough as I'd want though.
The mtb lakeland loop... Its got cracking riding in it, easily manageable over two days.
Personally, I find the stuff round Ambleside / Loughrigg / Tilberthwaite / Coniston / Grizedale / Claife Heights and Stephenson Ground over to Seathwaite, back via Walna Scar as the best riding anywhere. All rideable, no worries about pushing / carrying !
There's masses of BWays all over the o/s maps which could be a good thing (choice and options) or could be a bad thing (keep getting map out if you don't know em?). Hope that helps !
crazy legs ... yep, I agree... but we've got to drive up from the midlands in the morning of the first day - and on the afternoon of the second day, we want to go out on the lash.
we did the trans cambrian way last year (3 days 30 / 40 / 35 miles) but didnt have time for a beer at the end, so this year is different.
what are your thoughts on getting up and over Black Crags (its been a while since I walked it, and can't rememebr if it is rideable ?
Black crags route is known as 'Stake pass', search on here and you'll find out plenty. It's basically gonna be mostly a carry up and not that great a descent, the Langstrath valley is fun if you pick the right tracks, local knowledge helps here. If it were me I'd go up Rossett Pike(many carry also) but from Esk Hause to styhead and then stockley bridge is simply sublime.
Black Sail YH in Ennerdale is a pretty awesome location to ride to and stay. They do a great dinner and breaky too.
from Esk Hause to styhead and then stockley bridge is simply sublime.
🙂
You'd also pop out at the bottom of Honister pass - you could stay off road by heading down the back of Castle Crag to Grange, around to the terrace on the side of Catbells, through Portinscale, and into Keswick that way (basically the second half of the Borrowdale Bash).
One alternative on Day 2 if you don't mind a carry - cut right from the Coach Road after Threlkeld Knotts, up White Pike, onto the top of Clough Head and head over to Great Dodd from there. Less of a ride than Bruts Moss but an alternative suggestion. Birkside / Comb Crags is a good descent at the other end.