Hi folks,
I'm off for a long weekend staying in Levens near Kendal in a couple of weeks with my family, partner, parents and 8 week old baby. looking to possibly get out for a couple of hours while we've got the grandparents to help with the little one.
Hoping to maximise the riding time and minimise the driving time but would like it if there was mountainbiking which was worth riding a full suss on but doesn't need to be full gnarr though I'm not opposed to some endruo style riding.
ta in advance
Joe
Is that couple of hours including transit time?
Hi folks,
I'm off for a long weekend staying in Levens near Kendal in a couple of weeks with my family, partner, parents and 8 week old baby. looking to possibly get out for a couple of hours while we've got the grandparents to help with the little one.
Hoping to maximise the riding time and minimise the driving time but would like it if there was mountainbiking which was worth riding a full suss on but doesn't need to be full gnarr though I'm not opposed to some endruo style riding.
ta in advance
Joe
meant to add looking for recommendations missed the edit window
Is that couple of hours including transit time?
Can probably stretch to 3hrs including transit time before I start feeling too guilty.
Staveley or Grizedale seem them like the obvious options to me, shortish drive various option for loops of various distance/time. I'd start here for a bit of research and ask more questions if more info is needed https://flattyres-mtb.co.uk/route-guides/lake-district-mtb-routes/
THere's some old-school XC riding around Whitbarrow scar which might be close enough to allow you to ride from the door, and maybe some stuff around Farleton Knott that the Bogtrotters used to talk about. Plenty to go at from Stavely though
Garburn Pass comes to mind
It depends what you want. But Garbun Pass ticks in the I’m in the Lakes looking at mountains box
https://lakesmtb.co.uk/routes/garburn-pass/
Grizedale is probably the "easiest" both in terms of getting to / from there and also the waymarked trails. Down the A590 from Levens and you can be in the southern end of the forest within 25-30 minutes. There is some good stuff in there although it can be rather piecemeal in places.
Otherwise, a 20 minute drive up to Staveley and from there you can do Kentmere and Garburn Pass:
https://lakesmtb.co.uk/routes/garburn-pass/
That article is out of date, parking at Staveley is no longer free, it's a tenner for all day.
3hrs including driving time?
You could probably drive to Staveley and ride over Garburn Pass, then do the HP loop in Kentmere in that time.
There's also Chapel House woods about 10 mins drive for some more enduro type stuff
From Levens I’d grab the train to grange, climb on to Hampsfell via eggerslcak woods. Hoon round the Cartmel valley and up to Howbarrow.
zip down to Cark, train to Arnside.
Eat chips
ride home.
tea and medals
There's also Chapel House woods about 10 mins drive for some more enduro type stuff
is that the woods behind Staveley-in-Cartmel?
I read a post recently which said Garburn has had some sanitisation done but how accurate that is I'm not sure as I don't regularly choose to ride it as I ride solo and have already done my wrist on it once.
You can park at Staveley by the bridge for free if you get there before 9 and do a green quarter/HP plantation. I'm also a big fan of parking by Dubbs Reservoir and heading over towards Jenkins Crag and a quick lap of Loughrigg Terrance but probably not a good idea over a weekend, it's a good tame solo loop. Also from Levens it's actually not that much of a big deal to head towards Water Yeat and ride up parkamoor, do three witches and maybe boulder alley and then ride down parkamoor to finish.
Make sure you eat out at the Hare and Hounds in Levens one evening as it's my favourite nearby pub. Also Levens Hall is stupendous for a lunchtime and you could have a family walk along the river there.
thanks for the suggestions everyone, guess in terms of what I'm after it depends I've really enjoyed the riding round Staveley in the past but also like a bit of cheeky woods stuff too. Not specifically looking for the I'm up in the mountains experience although it's definitely a tick in the plus column for a route.
any tips to find the actual trails?
As you climb up the fireroad, look right and you can't miss the main trail back down now there's no trees (others exist but you may as well start there and with it being the weekend you'll see plenty of people to ask). Stick to the main fireroad up and take the right turn near the top of the hill and that will lead you towards the start of that trail.
This is a good on your doorstep route, bit of cheeky too.
https://www.komoot.com/smarttour/30892232
Although I would say modify the end to include this:
https://www.trailforks.com/trails/whitbarrow-scar/
But if its a wet day and you ride Whitbarrow, do be careful on the whitbarrow slab as it's like ice when wet!
Thanks strong possibility I'll end up doing this.
Fyi - you can park at Ings for free if you stick with the back of Staveley stuff