[Closed] Riding near Lancaster - or just off M6 J34?

don't know, but also routes out of kirky lonsdale, ingleton and clapham (Tunnels and Bridges is good for a wet windy day)

For local knowledge get in touch with the Bogtrotters,they're based up that end.
You'll find them on Facebook
+1 For routes out of Clapham/Ingleton,although I prefer it round there when it's dry & sunny.

Loads of Bogtrotters are based in/around Lancaster. Most of 'em ride the Lakes at every opportunity though.
The nearest to "doorstep" is probably Farleton Knott (which is v.cheeky but OK of an evening)

Staveley is <30 mins from Lancaster. Plenty of choices from there.

what he said Farleton knott- I would advise a local guide or GPS for this- but i would drive up to the lakes and do Garburn pass or Nan beild or some such

Dunsop Bridge in the Forest of Bowland has some great riding.

Lancaster was a "Cycling Demonstration Town" from 2006-2011, so has some excellent cycle paths, plus canal towpaths. The [url= http://www.visitlancashire.com/cycling-lancashire ]Visit Lancashire[/url] website has some good resources.

So, for a quick evening ride directly from your hotel, maybe ride out to Glasson Dock (for a pint) on the cycle path beside the estuary, then return on the canal.

But, as others suggest, for MTB you'll have to travel. There are some nice bridleways in the South Lakes, just off the A590 (Whitbarrow Scar area).

Also you're not far from Salters Way (Hornby to Slaidburn).

I lived in Lancaster for a few years and the local MTB is a bit disappointing. It's pretty easy to go up to Staveley though and there's loads of great riding around there.

If you want to ride out of the front door, I would recommend taking a road bike - there's some great stuff in the trough of Bowland that is very accessible from where you are staying.

I live in Lancaster and the nearest mtb riding is up the back of Caton onto the Moor, and then head over the back lanes to Salter Fell. Otherwise Gisburn, Staveley, Settle, Clapham, Ingleton, Austwick, Sedburgh, Kirkby Lonsdale, Dent etc. are all half an hour away.
There are loads of nice road bike routes from your doorstep.

I'm also a recent Lancaster resident (but a refugee from Aberdeen originally) and I've also found the immediate local area a bit disappointing for MTB. There isn't a single trail I could see that could be accessed in any reasonable manner from the town on bike unless you want to mix it with kamikaze drivers on the high roads in the NE exit of the town towards Caton etc. I would agree that if covering miles is important to you-take a road bike.

Farelton Knott is excellent although as some have pointed out, is not legal. Having said that, typically you'll see as many bikes up there as walkers on any given day. I've not been challenged once in the 3 years ive ridden thee fairly regularly-walkers and fellow cyclists have all been sound. It's what I would consider my 'local'. Still requires a car and 20 mins to get there up the M6 for me.

Whitbarrow Scar also great but again, too far to ride to etc. From there you're knocking on the proper Lakes and all that entails..

I'm a bit niche in my MTB tastes, as i'm more of a push up/hammer back down guy but if anyone out there is into their freeride as opposed to mega mile loops, then give me a shout. I'm mainly a solo rider but would welcome a companion anytime!

When?

I can show you some locals trails next week...

Should have a few weeks work up there reggie, but not confirmed when I'm going up exactly yet.

Cheers for the offer - will give you a shout

If the Trough of Bowland wasn't the private hunting ground of the Duke of Westminster and the Queen, it might provide more opportunities, but the Lancaster part is more "gravel bike"
Dunlop Bridge is ok
Farleton Knot is good, but some of it is cheeky. It is the big lump of limestone east of junction 36 M6.
I live in Lancaster and would just jump in the car to the Lakes as it is easy enough to be anywhere South Lakes.
If road riding is your thing then Trough, Dales and South Lakes are some of the best riding you will find - as long as you like it lumpy.

Oh and you can always join the Wednesday night crew of the Bogtrotters! Next week its a wee one up Fairfield

More importantly the beer will be consumed in Tweedies Bar

+1 for getting in the car and driving half an hour or so towards Staveley.

For an alternative you could head east to the dales but it's more like an hour drive. Gisburn if that's your sort of thing. But TBH I'd choose the south lakes first.