Hi,
Looking for some confidence building routes.
Found this site with some good long moderate rides.
http://www.bike-treks.co.uk/content.aspx?tag=mbr-red
My wife is very active, so has no problems going up the hills all day long, but very nervous going down. We had a week last year in Scotland, so not her first time.
Are there any other recommended routes within driving distance?
Is there anywhere that offers coaching in the area?
Thanks Neil
I asked the STW massive about some routes not long back. Might be something here for you?
http://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/mtb-routes-nr-coniston-water
thank you for the route options...looks perfect...
Any ideas on skills coaching please?
Bikes on ferry across Windermere then circuit of Claife Heights. Option of slightly more technical descent at the end, or not, as she fancies...
Little bit of a drive from Ambleside (about 1/2 hr) but my father in law had a course at Whinlatter last year and rated it (he's a 65 yr old roadie with no off road confidence).
Edit: this looks just the ticket
That course looks perfect, just the wrong weekend 🙁 going away on the 27th/28th April, will definitely arrange that course another time though, as you say, just the ticket ! Will try calling them though, see if they could do a morning or something.
very nervous going down
S**** 🙂
Skills at whinlatter are very good. You could do something together with them too. Also if Ambleside is your destination bike treks have some maps and probably some good local tips (but be sure to buy something)
Claife heights and loughrigg fell/terrace are really lovely and mostly non-technical.
But seriously, i've done some decent wild family rides around there. A couple of my favourites
1. Start from west side of Windermere ferry, around on roads to Near Sawry, then west of Esthwaite Water to Hawkshead, coffee/cake, then head north to Outgate, and pick up the bridleway that heads past Blelham Tarn to Low Wray, then back along the shore of Windermere. Half on road which may suit someone less confident.
2. West from Ambleside steeply up onto Loughrigg fell to the Tarn, then north towards Grasmere, can either pick up Loughrigg Terrace and drop down to Rydal water, or head up around Grasmere (rowing boats/tea/cake), followed by a return along the coffin trail to Rydal Hall and back to Ambleside. Bit steeper this one, youngest usually pushes up.