Thinking of having a dabble at whinlatter in the next few days on my way back north. Time might be limited, so may only be able to do north or south loop of the red - which are the best bits?
TIA
How long have you got? Both red loops plus blue is less than 15 miles - both reds one after the other shouldn't take much more than 1hr 30 if you get on with it.
How long will you have? Both loops could be done in under 1hr 30 ish probably. If pushed I'd say the south loop is marginally better. To make it a bit longer but not as long as both you could start with the blue and do the bit that reckons it's the extra blue and it then intersects with the start of the south loop. You might miss the start of the south so when you get to a bit where it look like you turn right to go through some dark trees there'll be arrows going both ways go straight up the hill there to continue with the south loop, sounds confusing but it isn't.
South is basically a big up, followed by a big down. North is more up/down, up/down. South has more interesting climbing it being primarily singletrack, North has more fire road. For me the final two descents on the North win it. First is fast, loose, rocky and occasionally pretty steep through the trees. Then almost immediately into rollercoaster style down exposed hillside with big berms and lots of jumps. As said above if you push it (& have the requisite fitness) you can do both in 1.5 to 2 hours. But you'd need to be pretty fit!
You could do south loop, then do the push up for the roller coaster final descent of the north
South wins it for me. The fire road stuff on the north loop does my head in.
If you have time, Blue then South Red.
Just to help confuse the OP. I'll say do the North 😀
But as above N + S isn't far so should manage both unless really limited on time.
North is better IMO, and takes a bit longer.
I reckon you can do both though.
Err thanks for the clarity guys 😆 looks like there's lots of pros and cons to it all.
If it's only going to take 2 hours, we should have plenty of time for both loops.
Thanks again
Just bear in mind that those times quoted above are " turn up ..fly around and go home times "
If you like to take your time with breaks to take in the surrounding scenery / snacks / sarnie ..then it will take a good bit longer 😉
If you like to take your time with breaks to take in the surrounding scenery / snacks / sarnie ..then it will take a good bit longer
I'm allowing for five minutes on the South summit!
I rode Whinlatter for the first time in September and loved it- well worth stopping for. I’ve just checked on Strava and I did the north and south loops in 1h 40 and that was taking it really easy as I was recovering from a cold, so you should cover both of them in a fairly short time.