I'm thinking of going to the lakes this coming weekend with my partner. She had an ankle operation 3 weeks ago, and has been on a couple of easy road rides since. We're hoping to find an easy route she can ride on the weekend, which has no real risk of her crashing or having to put her foot down quickly. So road/ lanes or gravel type surfaces, preferably with some nice views and in an ideal world, no people! We don't mind if there's a little bit she had to walk down. She'll be on a good quality fs mtb2 to 4 hours would be ideal.
Has anyone got any route recommendations?
Thanks!
On the other south lakes thread I mentioned Satterthwaite. The south lakes has lots of low level bridal ways and lanes. Also generally fewer people around Russland.
Russland, Satterthwaite, Coniston (The far end of Grizedale) Oxen Park - anywhere in there is nice to explore. The lanes and bridal ways all link up so you can explore quite easily.
The 'no people' thing will be the hardest to satisfy!
There are lots of quietish lanes not far from the central lakes, though, maybe something out of Staveley, circling the area between Ings/Crosthwaite/Winster? I think you can link some easy BWs with a bit of tarmac. Some nice pubs down that way, too.
Tilberthwaite is mellow and generally easy. You could link it with some fire road in Grizedale. Start at Grizedale, fire road to moor top, road to skelwith bridge, Lunch at Chesters by the river, over to tilberthwaite then the track by the road to coniston, up Lawson park and back down the firefoad to Grizedale. 4 hours ride plus and hour for lunch at the best food stop in S Lakes. If you want it easier start at coniston and ride to chesters through tilberthwaite and back. There are several routes through tilberthwaite so it’s not too boring coming back.
So road/ lanes or gravel type surfaces, preferably with some nice views and in an ideal world, no people!
Based upon 2 weeks ago doing a 100k gravel/lanes ride there, not the Lakes.
If she needs 'easy', find somewhere flatter - Norfolk/Lincolnshire/Vale of York etc.
Round Derwen****er. Won't be traffic free but it'll be nice. Swim in the lake, pint in Braithwaite
Eden Valley has some good tracks / lanes / easy single-track / quieter lane options.
Back of Thirlmere. Fairly flat and very quiet road. Extension of the ride can be had along the St John's in the Vale ride which is also pretty quiet but a bit more undulating.
Starting in Skelwith Bridge, follow A593 for a little bit south and take Little Langdale road and up to Blea Tarn. Follow road down to Old and New dungeon Gill Hotels.
At New Dungeon Gill Hotel pick up cyclepath which is offroad but well surfaced all the way to Elterwater.
The above route is a couple of hours ish with plenty to stop and and see along the way - it's also relatively quiet other than the Elterwater - Skelwith bridge bit. Can easily be extended by hanging a left at the Old Dungeon Gill hotel and exploring the valley up towards Stake Pass, or by adding on the smooth offroad options that head south from Little Langdale.
https://www.strava.com/activities/5679541024
Hardly saw a soul on it last Saturday.
OR
This would fit the bill perfectly.
grizedale would be my choice. big flat open areas with opertunity to try something else if feeling up to it. cafe and stuff if needed
I've got it, I've got it. ride the Ennerdale track. From the carpark ride to the YHA and back. Absolutely traffic free and almost people free. Scenery to die for and the track is totally flat. It is a wee bit of a drive to get there though but totally worth it. Tiny bit of cheeky with some elevation on the left as you head down that brings out on the main track, goes past a stream and waterfall, totally lovely.
That's an excellent suggestion.
Agreed, you can also have a rummage about on the forest tracks to the south side of the river to add a bit of variety on the return leg
3 weeks since surgery and not wanting to put foot down quickly? I'd say something simple like a fireroad somewhere would be best as even singletrack you might meet someone coming the other way and need to stop sharpish. Fireroads at least give you the width to keep things flowing.
Not a very exciting loop, but can be a bit of an event. Park on the Bowness side of Windermere, get the ferry (on bikes) to the other side, cycle up to Wray Castle, enjoy a coffee at the cafe, turn around and head back. Can enjoy another coffee at the Viewing Station, then ferry back to the other side. Some great lakeside views, usually not tooooooo busy, will be a fair bit quieter of other flatter paths in the Lakes. Not a 4 hour ride, which is why I suggested coffee stops haha.
There is also the path running along the river from Elterwater (the Nation Trust car park). Runs along River Brathay. Not long either, and can get busy. But I am struggling with good stretches of flat offroad paths.
Curve ball, a tour of Walney/ulverston to barrow coast road and back through the lanes and over birkrigg. Very limited off-road but flat ish