Yep.
Just rode Grange > Honister > Warnscale > Buttermere > Sail Beck > Rigg Beck > back to Grange as I'd wanted to do the two descents for ages and TBH I was a bit disappointed.
The top section of Warnscale had too many unrideable bits (for my skill level anyway) and Rigg Beck, whilst fun and flowy towards the end, wasn't really worth the slog up Sail Beck to get there (may work better as shorter loop starting from Stoneycroft as mentioned above though).
So, in my limited experience, my fave descents are Watendlath to Rosthwaite and Styhead to Stockley Bridge with an honourable mention going to Hause Gate to Manesty.
It's surprising how much more confidence you get with a bit of regular exposure to this type of terrain. I'm riding stuff I wouldn't have dared just a year or two ago and picking my way down a technical rocky descent is probably my favourite type of riding now.
Hoping to get a few of these Lakes descents ticked off this weekend.
Whiteless and Grizedale Pike look like they make sense to do as a loop - which is the best way to do it?
I was looking at starting at Braythwaite, along Coledale beck up to Coledale Hause, down Whiteless to Buttermere, then alongside Crummock on the road, up Liza Beck then across to Grizedale. Does that make sense?
And if anyone's done that before, any idea how long it takes?
Makes sense Mark, its a decent big day out and the flog up gasgale gill/liza beck seems endless. There is a mid-height path that is better than staying right by the gill on the left bank looking up, hard to explain. Beware some strong winds forecast this weekend that may make this route less appealing, sunday looking better at the moment. When you descend whiteless hang a right down rannerdale, better and more logical riding than continuing down to Buttermere. I'd allow 4-5 hours, remember it gets dark early up here this time of year!
@mark88 - I'd say you're looking at a good 4-5 hours at least to do all that.
However, if you've never ridden Grizedale Pike and are planning on descending down the footpath heading East off the front (that takes you all the way to Braithwaite) to finish, I'd strongly advise carrying up it to give you an idea of what you're letting yourself in for. Otherwise you'll end up pushing down most of it.
As a bonus of carrying up GP to start, you get to gain most of your height pedalling up the road and through the south loop of Whinlatter, plus the descent off GP heading for Whiteless Pike is class in itself.
If you descend whiteless, make sure you take in rannerdale knots, lovely wee stretch.
Otherwise you’ll end up pushing down most of it.
he really won't 🙂
As a bonus of carrying up GP to start, you get to gain most of your height pedalling up the road and through the south loop of Whinlatter, plus the descent off GP heading for Whiteless Pike is class in itself.
Sounds ideal. Thanks all.
Sods law once I have something to look forward to planned, the alternator went in the van decides to pack up.
Hopefully I can get it sorted tomorrow. plan was Whiteless/Grizedale Friday, walking Saturday, Stonethwaite/Stake Pass/Styhead Tarn loop Sunday.
That's a great weekend, enjoy.
Yeah serious wind in the Lakes this weekend. Keep an eye on this https://www.mwis.org.uk/forecasts/english-and-welsh/lake-district
Do any of you guys ever look at a forecast, going to be gales on friday into Saturday and icy! have fun.
I'll presume you didn't mean for that to come across so condescending Fergal. Us guys do look at a forecast. That was initially showing as a rare dry weekend, hence the timing, and plans were then changed due to the wind.
