More Helvellyn advi...
 

[Closed] More Helvellyn advice!

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Think there's been a few threads recently but I've got one more question!

Planning on doing Birkside this week. Then back over to Patterdale via grisedale tarn. Should I head up Raise beck or do the little tongue bridleway. Looking for potentially rideable or least friction with walkers!


 
Posted : 11/08/2019 8:07 pm
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Not had any issues on Raise Beck but it's a 30 min hike a bike
Little tongue is defo more rideable but from memory (not done that route for a long time) there is still a bit of hike a bike.


 
Posted : 11/08/2019 8:24 pm
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Does the slog along the A591 mean that Raise beck is preferable anyway? I've driven along there, but not for a long time, can't remember if there's a pavement to pootle along!


 
Posted : 11/08/2019 9:15 pm
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We normally park at the bottom of Raise Beck anyway, or in tbe lay with the AA phone box in it, so head straight up. To finish there is a FP over the fields from the forwst road at Homesdale Green.

No FP or cycle way on the A591 that I recall. It's just a fast wide road


 
Posted : 11/08/2019 9:22 pm
 TomB
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There’s a tarmac cycle path up the right side of the a591 that pops you out opposite raise beck, if you prefer. You lose a lot of height if you go down to the little tongue BW, I’d definitely carry up raise beck given the choice.


 
Posted : 11/08/2019 10:02 pm
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Cheers fella's, decision made then 👍


 
Posted : 11/08/2019 10:38 pm
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carlos

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Not had any issues on Raise Beck but it’s a 30 min hike a bike

30 mins my 4rse! Took me frigging age's, but to be fair I was knackered by this point!!

Did Birkside today. It's an awesome descent, worth it purely for the spectacular view. Got to be honest, I walked a few of the steeper bits. Too steep in parts for my abilities and once I've walked a bit it's hard to get going again! When tackling a super steep section I can't get my front wheel over the drainage channels without fear of getting punted otb. There's plenty of rideable tech though, good skill test.

Good day out.


 
Posted : 13/08/2019 8:59 pm
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Posted : 13/08/2019 9:26 pm
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Looking forward to having another crack at that after a rear flat messed up my last go, it gets a bit hectic towards the bottom IIRC?


 
Posted : 13/08/2019 9:42 pm
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There's a section of stone pitching in the middle of the descent which is pretty steep, that's where I struggled. Once you get past that there's some good flowy singletrack.

My strava performance was pretty poor, but I stopped off for a sausage roll and chatted to a few walkers!


 
Posted : 13/08/2019 9:57 pm
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carlos

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Not had any issues on Raise Beck but it’s a 30 min hike a bike

30 mins my 4rse! Took me frigging age’s, but to be fair I was knackered by this point!!

Lol, just had a quick look on Strava and we average 40mins to where you head Left towards the Dollywagon. So not a million miles out. So apologies, as it's not 30 mins

It's a cracker of a descent, but always seem to get a bit of arm and leg pump on the 1st lot of stone pitching


 
Posted : 14/08/2019 7:26 am
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I still reckon that's pretty good going! Took me an 70 mins by the look of it!! A good 10 mins of that was chatting to some walkers though 😝. It was pretty boggy on the top section before the tarn so that was all a push as well.


 
Posted : 14/08/2019 8:35 am
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Who cares how long it took. You measure a Lakes ride in smiles, not times.


 
Posted : 14/08/2019 9:33 am