Will do! I will check it out first as I would not want to inflict one of my rides on you without knowing the trails first.
I have never considered that route down. I walked up the Mark Gate track before so am off to look at my pictures to see if it might be a winner.
Cheers
Sanny
Glaramara – Has anyone ridden it from south to north down Thornythwaite Fell?
Great Gable – would I be better descending off it down Aaron Slack or the south east ridge to the Stretcher Box? Ridden the former and it was ok but not great. Bit of a rock scree slide.
Also, has anyone ridden the trail down the eastern side of Glaramara to Blackmoss Pot? Classic or crap? Would I be better doing the Rossett Pike and Stake Pass descent.
Great End to Galarama's summit is very similar to Great End up to the summit of Scafell. We tend to carry up Galarama from Borrowdale, turn around and descend. The descent to Blackmoss isn't great, but neither is Stake Pass on that side.
Great Gable: summit to the stretcher box/Styhead Tarn is okay, but Windy Gap and down Aaron's Slack is much more fun. Also Gillercombe and down Sour Milk Gill is okay, but there's a bit of carrying down near the end. Off Base Brown in the same direction is rubbish.
Hmmmm
Mr Gale not making that look a whole load of fun... not the first bit anyway.
Ha! That's gone right to the top of my to do list! Looks brilliant, if *very* awkward. Reminds me of Red Pike to Gamlin End and down to Scarth Gap.
Reminds me of Red Pike to Gamlin End
Worse - you'd love it 🙂
@TomB and @parkedtiger
Have to admit that video has gotten me excited for Glaramara.
In other news, my daughter and I went up Lord’s Rake yesterday. What a smashing wee scramble. The track all all the way up to the loose scree beneath the head wall would make for a decent out and back. Despite the stone pitching on the main track up to it, it looks easier than Dollywagon Pike with an option of bearing off it round the steep ridge that descends from Lingmell. One for later in the day when the masses have gone.
As for Lord’s Rake, I would only take a bike up if I could rig it such that it is attached hands free to my bag. I’d probably take the wheels off to place on top. It would be a liability otherwise on the first gully ascent. I would not recommend it unless you have done it before and know exactly what to expect.
The top of Scafell as a descent down to the head of Lord’s Rake is a loose and jumbly mess which would be a bit tedious unless you enjoy your wheels sketching out on sliding rocks and stones.
However, it gets considerably better as you get closer to Rakehead Crag where it becomes more grassy and less rocky. On balance, I could endure the top section for the bottom section from about the 750m point down. As we walked it, I kept wishing I had the bike with me. The OS map does not show a track but there definitely is one on the ground that brings you out almost due eat of Wasdale Head Farm.
Interested to know if anyone has headed south off Scafell to Slight side and down?
Also, has anyone headed off the ridge from Linhgmell down into Wasdale? It looks steep but promising.
Cheers
Sanny
Quick notes on Kentmere Pike as I'd been meaning to try it for ages as an alternative start to Nan Beild.
Did it this week with the missus and kid.
As you'd expect, the route over Green Quarter was driza bone.
Bit of scrambly HaB up Wray Crag
Kinda bitty from then on. Rideable bits then more steepish rock. Was insanely dry
As previous posters have said, wouldn't be fun in the wet.
Over the top to Harter Fell
Then the descent to Nan Beild itself. @Mark88 will be pleased to hear that I didn't make as much of a meal of this as last time. I think not doing Garburn and Gatesgarth beforehand left me a lot fresher.
It's just amazing.
Despite the very worried looks on the faces of some ramblers. ( and the kid's mum)
.
Then the standard descent down Nan Beild was a whole load of fun
Great day out. Biddova intro to HaB for the family, and a chance for the kid to try something properly tricky....
But, TBH I wouldn't bother repeating it. The route up the other spur ( Yoke, Ill Bell etc) is much less HaB, more rideable and with better descents on the ridge. Fair enough the descent from Harter Fell is much better than the one from the High Street side, but then just access Harter from the top of Gatesgarth ...
Anyone got any plans for the weekend? I'm sort of planning a slog round the Peak District but TBH my heart isn't really in it....
Outstanding update!
So another one from me. Yesterday was a nine summit ride and it was a proper day out. I started with Fleetwith Pike. Carried up the footpath instead of riding the access track as it was roasting and I was wanting to keep lots in the tank for a big day out. From the quarry, you can ride almost all of the up and the views from the top are simply stunning. Combined with the 4 Passes descent from Dubs, it would be bloody amazing. What a way to start a day out.
From there, I took the footpath round the northern flank of Grey Knotts before following a tiny singletrack grass path to the summit. It was an easy mooch over onto Brandreth. Again, dry with lovely views as expected. I reckon the footpath from Brandreth back to Fleetwith would be a mostly rideable and very enjoyable path to ride down, save for a couple of small broken rock sections.
A short carry onto Green Gable followed and just before the top, I cut north east onto Base Brown. The descent off the top was more technical than I had expected but there were some lovely grass path bypasses on the really awkward stuff. It would be great to follow the track down from the saddle into Gillercomb. Has anyone ridden this?
Back up onto Green Gable retracing my steps was fine. At the top, I met a woman from Denmark who is a pro endurance runner. She was telling me about a 230km self sufficient race she did in Swedish Lapland in February. Talk about hardcore! The descent from Green gable to the saddle was loose but all went.
Great Gable was the big unknown for me. The climb up has a short section of scrambling which was not too steep. It looked harder than it actually was. At the summit, the views are stunning. There were a few folk milling about who seemed surprised and concerned by me being there with a bike. There is nothing quite like people telling you to be safe on an unknown descent that plays with your head. Breaking out the knee pads, I headed down the main track up from the Stretcher Box. The first section is loose but goes quite comfortably. There then follows an awkward section of loose rocks and boulders which I had to carry down. I did have a moment of “what have I done?” However, just as it loses a bit of gradient, the track improves greatly and is replaced with stone pitching. I am normally not a huge fan but from a riding perspective, it was bloody fab. I passed a few of the walkers I saw earlier. One started filming me as I picked my way down a particularly steep section. I of course fell duty bound to ride it. Think Dollywagon Pike but steeper and without the horrendous water bars. A couple of short sections I walked down simply because I was on my own and tend to be a bit more cautious on bigger days out.
By the time I got to the Stretcher Box, I was buzzing. Definitely a technical one to return to! Nipping down to Styhead Tarn, I replenished my water in a stream then kept going. It felt odd going up to Sprinkling Tran instead of down but needs must. At the Tarn, I broke north on a Singletrack to Seathwaite Fell. I had low expectations but the ride across and back was bone dry and the trail was lovely to follow. The views were tremendous. Nice to be surprised.
Allen Crags and Glaramara were calling me though so press on I did. It is a super fast carry up onto Allen Crags while the up and down traverse to Glaramara is a mix of carrying interspersed with short sections of riding. It is not a classic ride between the tops but in the evening sun, I got in to a nice rhythm of ride, carry, repeat.
Glaramara affords commanding views in all directions. It is a proper peak. Now at this point I had planned to head over and do Rosthwaite Fell but it looked a great distance away with no clear path visible. A walker I met on Seathwaite Fell said there was a grassy singletrack beneath the eastern crags of Glaramara over to it that would be rideable but it was getting late so instead I headed down a bastard of a short but steep scramble (next time I will head round the western flank of the mountain) that had me questioning my route choice. However, joining up with the footpath that goes over Thorneythwaite Fell, I had one of those great way to end the day feelings. The path is rocky and loose in places with two sections that you have to carry down. However, they are mercifully short so as a descent, I would give it two thumbs up. It is by no means easy but even with 12 hours in my legs, I very much enjoyed it.
Overall, a great day exploring - Great Gable, Green Gable down via Gillercomb and Glaramara descents are all on the list for repeat visits as is Fleetwith Pike. The latter is just bloody brilliant - pure and simple and can be ridden both up and down.
So
Interested to know if you have done any of what I did yesterday as always good to hear your opinions.
What else did I learn yesterday? Scafell Pike is a magnet for the unprepared for sure. One lovely couple I met had gone up Great and Green Gable as a way of getting to Scafell Pike. They wisely headed back down off Great Gable and knocked the Pike on the head. There was also a group of guys in Borrowdale who were going to go up via the Pig Track. Wrong mountain, wrong country! Also came across a nice bunch of lads from London who I directed towards the Corridor Route. I met a couple of their mates later at the top of Grains Gill. One lad looked absolutely knackered while his pal tried to persuade him to keep going. I could only advise but suggested that if he was not enjoying it, the walk back down Grains Gill was his best bail out option. His mate decided to press on and I think he was glad that I turned up when I did.
It is a curious thing how folk get obsessed with getting to the top of a mountain even when the smart move might be to leave it for another day and simply enjoy being out in the mountains without necessarily getting to the top. Also fascinating to see how unprepared some folk are. Better lucky than clever though I say. It is great to see folk out on the mountains but also easy to appreciate how folk get into difficulty quickly too.
So what adventures has everyone else been on then?
Cheers
Sanny
A short carry onto Green Gable followed and just before the top, I cut north east onto Base Brown. The descent off the top was more technical than I had expected but there were some lovely grass path bypasses on the really awkward stuff. It would be great to follow the track down from the saddle into Gillercomb. Has anyone ridden this?
Yep. It's a bit of an awkward rock garden but worth doing once. There's some carrying down Sour Milk Gill, or if you track north a bit (instead of crossing the wall above the waterfall), there used to be a route through the slag heaps around Borrowdale Yews. There's also a path off the front of Base Brown down to Seathwaite farm but it's not much to write home about. Windy Gap and down Aaron Slack is arguably the most fun descent in that area.
There was also a group of guys in Borrowdale who were going to go up via the Pig Track.
😁😆😅
It is great to see folk out on the mountains but also easy to appreciate how folk get into difficulty quickly too.
Yep. I was coming down Glenderaterra Beck one evening after a Bash and met a man and his son bravely manhandling some BSOs along the path. Initially I thought I should leave then to it as they had gone so far, but then as I rounded the next bend I realised I had finished the trickybit. Which meant they had just started it. So I set off back and caught them up and gently suggested they should turn back. They were very nice and receptive and obviously hugely relieved. Quite clearly terrified and yet not wanting to make the obvious decision to turn back. Anywhere else would be fine but it's surely possible to die on that terrace path.
So what adventures has everyone else been on then?
After a series of fabulous rides in the 'gorms and lakes this year I felt the urge to atone for my sins and suffer a bit lot in the Peak. On the plus side, it appears my recovery is going well so I'm thinking that a lakes epic epic is definitely on the cards
https://flic.kr/p/2oF1XaM
I mean.... who TF sets off on a cycle ride on a June morning and needs lights!
So what Lakes epic are you planning then?
My Scafell Pike ride two weeks ago ended at dusk so lights were required for the last bit of road back. Ha! Ha!
Cheers
Sanny
Not sure really. I'm torn ...
I've tried to focus on shorter, sustainable rides the last couple of years. Stuff that's enjoyable rather than just challenging distance wise. And also trying to do the tech bit rather than arriving at the tech exhausted, alone and nervous... and walking big chunks.
Also my son has just got a new bike and is keen so I'd like to do more tech with him. He's a lazy shite though so I have to plan it carefully.
On that front I'd like to do Grisedale down from the tarn, and maybe Sticks over to Seldom Seen. Also want to trog up GP from Whinlatter and have a more focussed attempt at the top bit.
I was amazed how doable the bit down Harter Fell to Nan Beild was this week. Want to revisit some previous similar bits and try again. Eg OMC
On the other hand, I've still got some silly urge to do Helvellyn in a day. No idea if it's possible, but maybe...
4 passes needs to be done again, defo.
Also want to try Ben Lomond double... but it's a helluva drive.
Defo want to do Great End.
Would be nice to find some gnarr that's accessible without too much HaB. Something I can spin up with the boy. That was part of the appeal with GP, that you can get quite high on the Altura South loop.
I've realised I'm waffling. Again... short answer is
Loads of stuff.
What is your plan for Helvellyn? What route are you thinking? It is not as long a ride as you might think. Multiple routes up. From the Coach Road to the north is the most gentle but also the longest distance wise. It can be boggy so right now would be the perfect time to do it.
The carry up from Thirlmere is pretty much all hike a bike. Sticks west is a steep carry up then slackens off to ride up to the saddle.
Keppel Cove goes from bottom to the levelling off but you will want low gears! It is probably the most rideable option but it is super steep in places. there is a reason I run a 20 32 double on my mountain bikes!
I am a convert to heading up onto Birkhouse Moor then riding the lovely lower plateau to Red Tarn and up onto the saddle between Catseye Cam and Swirral Edge. I did it as an out and back via the Red Tarn Beck footpath in February and it was mega. Swirral edge is a scramble which I felt comfortable on but it is steep and needs hand placement at times. I would say check out images online then decide.
Sticks Pass might be a nice way of going up too. Ride to the base of it, push up the steep bit then ride again. Also gives you the option of Seldom Seen.
Re the Ben Lomond double. Are you thinking the tourist path and Ptarmigan Ridge? The top section of the latter is a walk down. There will definitely be sections you walk down. I have ridden it before and loved it but it may be an acquired taste for some. The tourist path is simply great and a super introduction to Munros riding. My preference is to carry up Ptarmigan and go down the main path. That way you can decide if the former is for you as a descent. It gives the best views by a country mile compared to the tourist path.
The link above is what you need!
Cheers
Sanny
Just a quick reminder that the a591 at Hartsop is now closed for 4 weeks so Glenridding is only do able from Penrith.
Ben Lomound is a good out and a lot is rideable, just go on a clear day and not in rainy March 🙁 dam the mountain forecast!
What is your plan for Helvellyn?
I can't work it out TBH, there seems to be an odd number of Bridleways on the west side ( unless you count both the WhiteSide ones..
<Edit: realised we are talking at slightly cross purposes >
What route are you thinking? It is not as long a ride as you might think. Multiple routes up.
Mmmm, indeed multiple routes. That's sort of what I'm after. I've done most of them individually, and sometimes a few in a day, but I'm wondering if it's possible to do them all in a day
So far the route seems to be:
Up Dodds from Matterdale Common. As you say, it needs to be frozen or driza bone.
Down Sticks East.
Up Keppel
Down Sticks West
Up Whiteside
Down Birkside
Then it gets problematic as you need to get back up again to descend Dollywaggon/ Grisedale. Guess trog up Raise Beck & Dollywaggon then turn round and down Grisedale.
OSApp suggests 3200hm 55km. But even then it doesn't strictly do all the rideable bridleways. That boggy horror down to the Coach Road remains undone. So it's not quite the perfect challenge.
But, as above, I'm trying to focus less on sufferfests and just enjoy the riding, so hopefully I'll not do it. But if the sickness comes again then it's always there as an option.
The tourist path is simply great and a super introduction to Munros riding
Agreed. I was looking at my photos the other day, thirty years ago this month!
Didn't even have helmets on...
Yep, wanted to try Ptarmigan ridge as well. Used to walk up it loads with my parents and it would be nice to go back
@thegeneralist - last year (or maybe the year before, my memory gets hazy), a few of us did Helvellyn four times in a day. Started from the bottom of Sticks Pass (West), up to Raise then Helvellyn, Dollywagon and Grisedale Beck down. Up to Red Tarn and Swirral Edge, then down to Raise and Sticks Pass (East) and Glenridding (again). Then up Keppel Cove to the summit and down Birkside, before climbing back up Swirls to the summit for the last time and down past Raise and finishing on Sticks Pass (west). Not going to lie - it's a big day, but start early, pace yourself and it's all good. Multiple refuels in Glenridding helped.
That does indeed sound epic. Did you find yourself fading on the tech towards the end, or are you able to keep up a level?
Top work @thegeneralist. I've not been back since, but should do. I'm itching to do Yoke, Ill Bell whilst it's dry. And also the techy side of Nan Bield. Perhaps as a figure of 8, coming back up Gatesgarth and over Harter Fell.
Inspiring stuff @sanny. I get a bit overwhelmed with indecision and trying to find 'perfect' routes in the Lakes, but I think I need to take a leaf out of your book and just get out for some big days and accept that some bits go, others won't.
March and April I had lots of family and friends visiting so I was restricted to playing hiking guide, and I've done a few races recently so I've not had time for any proper Lakes riding this year. A couple of busy weeks of work ahead but then hopefully I'll be able to make up for lost time late June / early July and get some big days done.
@thegeneralist - I was generally ok. Found the climbs the hardest, and we all seemed to find an extra gear for the descents. Getting the most physical (Dollywagon and Grisedale beck) out of the way first definitely helped. I love Birkside so putting this one third was fun and other than the steps it's not too techy. We chilled for a long time in a stream after that one though
That is a properly tough day out. Top effort! I’ve done a double ride up Keppel Cove in a day on the fat bike and it is definitely a toughie. 2 more summits after that would be pretty brutal. Of course, if you were a proper mountain biker, you would have done the Dodds too…..Ha! Ha! Seriously though, I salute you for that. Much respect earned with that ride.
I’m just going out and trying stuff on the Wainwright tops to see what goes and what doesn’t. Every day out has been a proper wee adventure. The summits give a great excuse to explore bits of the map that I haven’t been to before.
Winter or now with this dry spell would be the time to do the Coach Road especially with Justin Bieber’s tech route off the north western end to finish.
Cheers
Sannhy
Managed to get out the other day and did The Knott and Angle Tarn Pikes for the first time despite it being on my list for some time. Nice long descent with some interesting bits but nothing too hard (aside from the short drop from Angle Tarn Pike back to the main path - that was great). I followed the footpath all the way into Patterdale which is a far better option than the bridleway towards Hartsop.
I also did Branstree and Selside Pike on foot. The Wainrights aren't worth riding but the Old Corpse Road to Haweswater would be a good techy descent - one for the dry I'd suggest.
Holy thread resurrection time!
So last Friday was a wee trip into the unknown for me. Met office said sunny but windy. The reality was very windy, a bit showery and the odd glimpse of sunshine through the fast moving cloud. Note to self - always check with MWIS! With the wind blowing fairly heftily from the south west, I opted for a west to east traverse of the fells behind Skiddaw. I started with Binsey - a short but delightful gem with cracking views and a free flowing descent from the top off the main route up. From there, I headed along the back roads to Longlands and took the footpath along the western flank of Longlands Fell up to Trusmadoor. It was a lovely spin up the valley and would make for a nice amble back down. Great Cockup is a short hike a bike up and there looks to be a decent trail westwards off of it. Looking across to Frozen Fell, there looks like a potentially interesting zig zag descent off of it.
Meal Fell and Great Sca Fell are an easy ride /push / carry up. I then did an out and back to Brae Fell and Longlands Fell. Nothing remotely techn ical but enjoyable grassy decents on easy to follow and remarkably dry trails given the rain of late.
Knott gives great views in every direction. The track down to the head of Graingill beck was a bit boggy / mossy in places. I went off trail which was a mistake rewarded with my right leg going knee deep in trail gloop at one point.. Lesson learned, not that it needed to be. The trail goes directly past Lingy Hut bothy which is well worth a visit. From there, there is a really well defined doubletrack that looks like it goes all the way down to Calabreck. I nipped off it to summit Great Lingy Hill and found a lovely singletrack through the heather that took me towards High Pike when it rejoined the main path. Again, more great views.
The ride over to Carrock Fell has some sections of peat bog which were all rideable but would be more challenging in the wet. For anyone tempted to ride off the top of Carrock Fell to Stone End, don't bother. The top section is rocky without being fun while the bottom section is steep and chutey. I took a line off it and regretted it as I had to break trail over steep ground to get back to the trail proper. With the benefit of hindsight, I should have retraced my steps back to Lingy Hut and ridden down the Graingill Beck bridleway.
The return leg was via the Cumbria Way to Skiddaw House. The trail starts wide and wet from the end of the singletrack road from Mosedale but soon turns to a really rather nice singletrack trail. Colour me impressed. I had planned to take in Great Calva but the windy conitions and the route error of Carrock Fell meanrt I was in danger of losing the light. On the plus side, the sunset was glorious as I headed down to the road from Melbecks back to Over Water.
So thoughts on the trails. Really rather lovely, truth be told. I was out all day and took in nine Wainwright summits. It was definitely much more of a ride with a little carrying than the other way round. Binsey is a smashing little fell while the back of Skiddaw in the Uldale and Caldbeck Fells appears to have a lot of route options for those who are willing to go out and explore. The area feels markedly different from the rest of the Lakes - the fells are rounded with well trodden grassy paths that will appeal to those who want to enjoy a day in the fells without having to bring their techn ical A game to the party.
Next up are the seven summits west of Whinlatter and Great Calva. Riding those will mean that I will have ridden all of the fells in both the Northern and North Western Fells guidebooks. It also means that I have the perfect excuse to ride the trails below Lonscale Fell again which i have always enjoyed.
So @thegeneralist @justinbieber @mark88 , any tips for those fells or suggestions where I should ride next? Tempted to ride Red Screes and heading west above Buttermere.
Anyone else been getting out and enjoying the Wainwrights of late?
Cheers
Sanny
Doh! I wrote Red Screes when I meant Red Pike - ejit!
Sorry @Fergal I meant to tag you too.
Cheers
Sanny
Not me. I've sunk into a bit of an exhausted depression. Spend most weekends scrolling through YouTube shorts and hating life, myself and the YouTubers in equal measure...
Just have no desire to ride anything local and not got the contacts or inspiration to go further afield. Desperately want to do a thirtieth anniversary ride up Ben Lomond but it's just too far to drive.
Did a bit of rock climbing last weekend and hoping to get out in the peak again perhaps this weekend. The scary thing is that I can't work out whether soloing rock climbs is more or less dangerous to my health than doing nothing at home.
Scratch that. I know it's much less dangerous. Anyway I'm oversharing.
Keep posting inspiration ❤️
Hi Sanny yes the grassy fells of the Back O Skiddaw make a nice change from the more technical outings of the Central fells, this summer i spent much of July August exploring these as it's not far from home, i can go and explore for a few hours. Binsey is a favourite little hill for a quick blast there are about four descents.
The Knott has a fairly good descent west which is a Bway, starts with some fine singletrack in a little gorge. The zig zags above the Ttusmadoor col look good but in reality are crap, access from Knott to Burn Todd is heather bashing a real shame as they don't deliver just grass, also the traversing descent on the flank of Great Cockup west is a narrow sheep track over grown with heather another boobie prize!
Great Calva access by Dash falls and little Calva is another that started well a nice rocky single track descending SW lower down it deteriorates into a boggy heathery rut.
High Pike has a few worthwhile descents North to Nether row and two descents to Carrock Beck, Red gate marked as a BW and through the old mine both a pleasure.
Braefell has a grassy quad bike track that goes from the summit NE fun at warp speed.
Carrock fell the best rideable descent is West from the rocky summit then NE on a fast quad bike track to Caldbreck ford, all these descents can be found on Strava, well most of them as the locals know the good ones.
Hang in there. If you are not feeling the love but enjoying climbing then climbing is the answer. I'm climbing indoors three times a week at my local bouldering venue and it is great. Forgotten how much I enjoy bouldering. Worn out my trusty La Sportiva Miura shoes - totally blown through the toes down to the inner leather. Bit taken aback by how much the price of climbing shoes has gone up though. It sounds like changing things up might be the answer. If you want company for Ben Lomond, happy to tag along. Or maybe break outnthe maps and the Wainwright books and plan a mini adventure?
Cheers for the local knowledge. Really appreciate the insight especially with regards to Carrock Fell. I was impressed by the tracks up there and the options to explore.
Cheers
Sanny
I did ask about Red Pike down to Buttermere a while back but don't think anyone had ridden it. I think it would be worth a go as a steep techy descent, with a couple of awkward potentially unrideable bits. I think it was @justinbieber that had descended Red Pike towards Scarth Gap (which would give you a couple of extra summits), but I've never been that way. I've done a few of the others (Starling Dodd, Great Borne, Hen Combe) on foot and don't recall wishing I was on the bike. Quite boggy from memory.
I've done very little riding this year. Another one not feeling the love for it at present. The only Wainright I've done recently was Nab Scar, a lovely little post work loop from Grasmere climbing via Alcock Tarn.
Yeah, I've carried up Red Pike past Bleaberry Tarn a couple of times, and I'm put off by all the steps right at the bottom so have never ridden it. I always go west to east on there and finish with Scarth Gap.
@Sanny - your north lakes adventure sounds fun. I've never really explored anything up that way, even when we lived in Carlisle - I'd always bypass it and go straight to Keswick.
So @mark88 @justinbieber @thenorthwind @fergal @thegeneralist @munrobiker
I have another potential ride for us to try. I walked Striding Edge with my daughter last Monday on a banger of a day. Walking up via Birkhouse Moor, I could not help but get excited at the prospect of riding off the summit shoulder of Catstye Cam, along to Birkhouse and then down the footpath nearest the Birkhouse summit to the camp site far below. There was some stone pitching but none of it looked despair. It actually looked like an awful lot of fun. I shall report back when i ride it.
Thinking of doing Red Pike from Haystacks soon. I have ridden north west to south east but rather fancy doing it in the other direction for a change so the descents are more mellow and much longer. Has anyone tried it that way starting from Scarth Gap?
Also, has anyone ridden the footpath off Fleetwith Pike into Buttermere from Warnscale Bothy? Spied it last week so am interested to find out.
So has anyone else been out lately?
Cheers
Sanny
Sanny, just catching up on your posts. Inspiring stuff! I need to get out on those Skiddaw fells.
They are really rather lovely. Ideal on a long summer day where you can take your time and just bimble along. They were always a bit of an unknown to me so I was delighted to find that they are actually rather pleasant to explore.
Cheers
Sanny
I've always fancied the trail off Fleetwith Pike but have only ever found one post on here that says it goes.
For your other route, off Catstye Cam, are you on about riding towards Swirral Edge then down off Birkhouse Moor via Little Cove?
Are we talking the FP right off the front of Fleetwith Pike? I've never ridden it and never been recommended to either - apparently the top section is impossible and it seems a shame to take a punt and waste all that height carrying down when you've got Warnscale Bottom as an option. However, the rest of it does look good! Fancy another walk with a bike next time you're down this way @Munrobiker?
@Sanny - never done Red Pike that way - I've always gone NW to SE. Think it's been discussed on here before, that some sections below Bleaberry Tarn look very awkward/impossible, and that's before you get to the numerous steps after the wall that drop down to Buttermere. Unless you were thinking of dropping off the ridge a different way?
The footpath off Birkhouse Moor drops off the summit cairn then heads due south briefly before heading down to Gillside. Sprry biut cannot see Little Cove marked on my 1:50000 map.
For Fleetwith, I would head for the summit then ride the summikt trail back the way you came to the quarry. From there, head down Gatesgarth. I had a right good look down the face of Fleetwith and just thought it would be a despair carry down with maybe a few short sections of riding.
I am with you on not going down the face of Fleetwith pike. Sod that. What I am interested in is the footpath that descends down to Warnscale Bottom. Never walked it but keen to know from folk who have.
Re Red Pike. My intention would be to ride the path on the edge of the cliffs heading north east down Lingcomb edge or one of the other tracks down to Scale Force. Tempted to head down Starling Dodd and Great Borne as an alternative to maximise time on the fells. I like the idea of nipping onto Hen Comb and Mellbreak for a wee looky look.
All
Has anyone ridden any of the peaks that separate Kirkstone Pass from High Street. Any scope for riding fun round there?
Cheers
Sanny
Time for another update methinks!
With yesterday looking like a banger, I left the house at half five for the two and a bit hour drive to Keswick. I was on a mission to complete the Northern and North Western Fells. Staring with the outlier, I parked at Latrigg and headed out along the side of Lonscale Fell. It’s is easy to forget just how nice a trail out and back past Skiddaw House that is. That said, I was mindful that this was where John Graham died in 2013 when he came off and fell down a steep gully. I forgot just how sheer the drop is so was careful to hug the inner banking as I rode the exposed bedrock. The gradually thinning clouds made for an atmospheric ride in. Taking the ascent path between Great Calva and Little Calva, I resolved not to ride back down it. It is a morass of soft peat, water troughs and slippery mud. It was not much fun to carry up and would be rubbish as a descent. The summit however is pretty special and affords beautiful views in every direction. Heading down, I headed ssw on a clear rocky track. It got a bit boggy down the bottom but I suspect in the summer would be entirely acceptable. I had thought of heading to Little Calva but I was on the clock. Met a few walkers coming up who were all clearly enjoying the sunshine. The retired chap from Dundee was the winner as he told me he had a retirement cabin beneath Blencathra from which he enjoyed many adventures as he was on his fourth Wainwright round!
Has anyone ridden off Little Calva or is it a bog of despair?
Next stop, the rarely visited Sale Fell and Ling Fell. Being unsure of what to expect, these turned out to be gems hidden in plain sight. Both are 100% rideable up and down on easy to navigate paths and grass tracks while the tree lined valley between them was gorgeous in the morning sunshine. It looks like there are several descent options on each. I headed off Sale Fell via a steep track to the valley while there is an option for a longer descent down towards Kelsick Farm. I met a chatty older couple from Cockermouth who were telling me about Cannondales and Oranges of old that they owned and informed me that a couple of gravel bikers were on Ling Fell in front of me. Never saw them but could easily see that it would be fun on a gravel bike (although much more fun on a mountain bike, of course!)
With time marching on and only limited daylight, I jumped in the car to knock out the 5 summits in Whinlatter. Despite being lower lying fells, they delivered a terrific high level riding experience. Staring with Whinlatter, it is an easy ride up the forest past the Gruffalo Statue with only a five minute carry on the way to the summit. Grizedale Pike and the North Western Fells dominate the skyline but my eyes were drawn to snow capped Skiddaw and Helvellyn in the far distance. Great to see the first snows of the winter. Following a route I had found on Komoot, I was dubious of riding the bowl over to Tarbarrel Moss. Although not on the map, there is a very definite trail which is easy to follow and only has one mercifully short expanse of Spagnum Moss to cross (we are talking only a few feet). It connects with a lovely singletrack trail through dense forest that was a Brucey Bonus. The air hung heavy with moisture which created a Brocken spectre effect when I reached the fire road. Bonus!
Following my map, I headed up a steep-ish walkers trail that connected to the gravel track that heads on to Lord’s Seat. So you don’t have to, I left the track to cut the corner to reach Barf. In a word, don’t. It is a boggy mess. Far better to stick to the main path to the summit of Lord’s Seat then take the obvious and now much improved path to Barf which makes for a very pleasant out and back. Barf is your classic small hill with incredible views.
Next up was Lord’s Seat, Broom Fell and Graystones. There was evidence of tyres tracks on the well trodden trails that link them so I was clearly not the first there! With the sun in serious danger of disappearing over the horizon, I was treated to the delights of the golden hour of light as I rode the ridge line. Again, this was not remotely technical but was a lovely place to be. I was tempted to head off the south west edge of Greystones but it was getting properly dark by this point. More by luck than skill, I found a trail through the clear felled forest that took me down towards Lurton. As descents go, it was a means to an end and not a Lakeland classic but as days out go, I really enjoyed myself. I reckon the far western fells are well worth a visit if you want a none too technical day in the Lakes and fancy somewhere off the beaten path. I suspect that on a long summer’s evening, they would be the kind of fells to linger as you enjoy riding with the slow setting sun as your companion.
So @munrobiker @fergal @mark88 @neilthewheel @thegeneralist @justinbieber have any of you guys been out exploring or have you ridden any of these fells? Would be good to read your thoughts. Also want to read about your ride plans!
I opted for the Pivot Shuttle SL e bike for my adventure and by the time I got back to the car, I had almost 20% battery left which I thought was pretty good for a cold day in November where the riding greatly exceeded the relatively limited hike a bike.
So where next? I was set on Red Pike but if we get a hard frost, I rather fancy doing the fells on the eastern flank of Derwent Water, The descent off Grange Fell has piqued my curiosity. May have to break out the fat bike for that given the high bog propensity on the tops. The Dodds last year were amazing frozen so hoping for similar this year.
I have to say this thread helped light a spark in me. It is fantastic to explore places that I have hitherto ignored in favour of the classic Lakeland routes that I know and love.
Cheers
sanny
Hi, apologies I've not been following this thread enough. There's been some good exploring going on!
I've been up red pike a few times, the last time was from the end of ennerdale, up herdus, great borne, starling dodd, over red pike, high stile and high crag before descending down gamlin end towards scarth gap.
I've always descended down towards scarth gap, the top from red pike takes much longer than you think due to the lack of a consistent path, severe exposed edges in places as well so worth doing it in good weather (the views are fantastic anyway so worth getting benefit) the drop down gamlin end towards scarth gap is probably one of the steepest technical descents I've ever done, the final drop to the top of the pass is full on too. Not trying to put you off as it's a hell of a technical challenge and definitely worth a go.
Good luck and have fun!
Cheers fella.
Would you do that ride in reverse? Ie carry up with more gentle descending?
Cheers
Sanny
Hi Neb
Where exactly is that pic of?
Looks ace.
That will be heading east off the red pike ridge before the steep drop to Scarth Gap given that Great Gable is so prominent in the distance.
Has the biking love come back yet?
Cheers
Sanny
Oh and has anyone ridden Steel Fell or any of the surrounding fells above Grasmere?
@sanny Ive not done any riding off Red pike or even the 4 pass route . Mainly stuff around Keswick Kentmere Glenridding and Conniston . Ive gone as far as Gable but fell short of trying to get to Scarfel , I really must try harder to drop Warnscale as part of the bash and get back over somehow.
Oh and has anyone ridden Steel Fell or any of the surrounding fells above Grasmere?
You'd definitely want dry conditions as a lot of the paths are pretty soft up there.
Have done regrettably little riding (or anything else) in the Lakes since I finished my Wainwright round (mainly on foot) a year ago next week.
Every time this thread pops back up, it pushes me a little bit more to go back though, so keep it coming.
