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4 days in the Lake District.
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1phil5556Full Member
What should we ride?
We’ve got 4 days in October where we’ll be travelling back to Scotland from Wales. Being inspired by the Street Pigeon video of Grisedale Pike, we think we’ll probably head to the Lakes.
What should we ride as Lake District newbies? Hike a bike is fine. Max of 5ish hour days as we’ll have the dog with us so can’t leave him too long.
In a camper van so not tied to one area.
I realise the weather might scupper any plans…
All inspiration welcome! Cheers
1timcFree MemberThe loop Street Pigeon did is half a day max, which might be good for tired legs, many on here will tell you extended routes of the back / over the top of GDP.
Ullock Pike is always worth a go, especially if you haven’t done it.
thegeneralistFree MemberGrisedale Pike
Well, that answers the first and third questions I normally ask on these threads.
Hike a bike is fine
And they answers the second.
Ullock Pike ( combine with Blencathra if you are fit) Do Doddic j if you are shit hot)
4 passes
B’bash with extensions if you are fit for 4 big days)
Helvelyn double descending Seldom Seen and Birkside
Fairfield horseshoe if its dry and quiet
Nan Bield via Yoke and Ill Bell
thegeneralistFree MemberCockpit to Howtown, Coledale Hause, Ullswater Bridleway for an easier day. 😉
failedengineerFull MemberI am always impressed when people on here talk of riding Ullock Pike (and Nan Bield as well for that matter). I’m no beginner, but they are both fearsome, particularly Ullock Pike. I walked down it last week, thinking “I would die if I tried to ride this”. Granted, there are some easier bits, but …..
stevedocFree MemberAmbleside day 1 around Elterwater and Timberthwaite finishing around Loughrigg Nice starter
Tover Stephenson ground and Walna Scar day 2 ie: Tour Du coniston
Fairfield is ok for day 3 but I would head to Keswick for the Bash and Walla crag . Finish at the George for 1/2 a cow pie and some liquid suppliments
Day 4 either Ullock Pike or do the loop of Whinlatter and up Grisedale and over causey and sail and drop Rigg beck or Whiteless pike and Rigg beck if you are feeling up for a final day epic .
As I was writing the above Ive started to question why im driving the 8 hours to Torridon for 4 days when the above is 75 minutes from my door …..
1Tom-BFree MemberNot sure how well you know the area Phil, but happy to send you some van stopover recommendations if you’re unfamiliar with the area. Can’t help with ride suggestions sorry.
slowoldmanFull MemberI’m no beginner, but they are both fearsome, particularly Ullock Pike.
Yes I’ve walked over that and fail to see how anyone can contemplate it on a bike. Mind you I’m a wimp compared to a mate who once did the Snowdon horseshoe with a CX bike. He didn’t ride it though, just put it over his shoulder.
thegeneralistFree MemberAs I was writing the above Ive started to question why im driving the 8 hours to Torridon for 4 days when the above is 75 minutes from my door …..
Two questions:
1) 75 minutes south or north?
2) can I come? ( To torridon)
😉
Edit to say I just done the maths, and you must be south of the lakes for both those to be true …
fathomerFull Memberthegeneralist list is what I’d be recommending. Definitely do Helvellyn, even if you don’t do a double!
@thegeneralist what’s the best way to combine Ullock with Blencathra without a massive road section in-between? And how full on is Doddrick, the contour lines are certainly tightly packed!Sorry for the hijack.
1loweyFull Memberwhat’s the best way to combine Ullock with Blencathra without a massive road section in-between? And how full on is Doddrick, the contour lines are certainly tightly packed!
The Cycle path between Keswick Swimming pool and Threlkeld is your answer. That or along Lonscale crag and down Glenderaterra.
Doddick is about as full on as you can get in the lakes. MR have taken off a couple of MTB’er from that decent in the last couple of years.
stevedocFree Member@thegeneralist Im just off the m60 so up the Lakes on a 6am dart can have me in Keswick (A66 speed van not included )in 1h40 Staveley 1h dead so. up upwards . Torridon was done of googlemaps told me 7h 45m . That side even riding to work this morning this thread was in my head and the whole should I just do a lakes weekender instead .
Helvellyn up kepple and back via Seldom ..quick road blast and up from Hartsop then Angle tarn and Boredale house ? I think Trail finder did this not long again.
1thegeneralistFree Memberwhat’s the best way to combine Ullock with Blencathra without a massive road section in-between? And how full on is Doddrick, the contour lines are certainly tightly packed!
The Cycle path between Keswick Swimming pool and Threlkeld is your answer. That or along Lonscale crag and down Glenderaterra
Agreed on both. Just realised that I didn’t do Skiddaw and Blencathra on the same day. I went round Skiddaw and Blencathra then up Skiddaw one day. Then at another point did a double up Blencathra. ( First descent to the north was a bit meh,) I have to admit that doing them both on the same day would be way beyond me these days.
Basically you’d need to do a figure of eight as the Skiddaw route is anti clockwise and the Blencathra route is clockwise but Skiddaw is to the west.
Doddick is well hard. A different level to Ullock IMHO. I should have used bold in my comment:
Do Doddic j if you are shit hot
thegeneralistFree MemberHelvellyn up kepple and back via Seldom ..quick road blast and up from Hartsop then Angle tarn and Boredale house ? I think Trail finder did this not long again.
Interesting option. Never been to that Angle Tarn. The reason I mentioned Boredale from the north is that the route up Boredale itself is almost all rideable, and the Ullswater BW is amazing if you like slow gnadgery tech so it makes a good loop.
If you need a shorter SS route then going up Sticks East to the mine plateau is reasonably rideable ( but of course doesn’t get you anywhere near the ridge, let alone the summit)
SS is good, but it’s worth saying that it is nowhere near as techie as Birkside or Dolly waggon. Much more flow though. …
1chakapingFull MemberI am always impressed when people on here talk of riding Ullock Pike (and Nan Bield as well for that matter).
Nan Bield is not too techy, I can clean it and I’m no riding god. Ullock has much tougher sections.
thegeneralist list is what I’d be recommending.
Not sure he read the stipulation about max ride length though.
A few ideas:
– Helvellyn, probably from Glenridding – up Keppel Cove and down Dollywaggon & Grisedale Tarn descent.
– Borrowdale Bash including Walla Crag.
– Warnscale Bottom loop (up through Honister mine works) from Buttermere.
– Skiddaw & Ullock PIke.
– Blencathra, to Scales Tarn, then Lonscale Fell loop.
All mid-sized rides if you’re in reasonable shape.
thegeneralistFree MemberNot sure he read the stipulation about max ride length though.
Good point, mea culpa.
hooliFull MemberI’d agree with Borrowdale Bash including Walla Crag, also High street/Nan Bield is great for big views and descents.
TomBFull MemberComing to the Lakes at any time of year (evidence- weather right now) can involve very wet and very windy weather. For these circumstances it’s worth having some low and mid level routes in mind:
In my bit of North Lakes:
Borrowdale bash will go in any weather
Back of skiddaw/lonscale bw route
Loweswater shore and corpse road under burnbank fell, then back of melbreak and down to crummock/buttermere
Dale head tarn – high spy-maiden moor
Whinlatter
Higher routes I like:
Blencathra traverse west to east
Skiddaw/ullock pike as mentioned
Up Grisedale Pike from whinlatter south and across to Hopegill Head, then Whiteless Pike and Rannerdale descent to Crummock
Lots of Hellvelyn combinations- a great place to be on a nice day
Langstrath (west of river) to Stake pass, angle tarn, esk hause then either sty head or grains gill down to seatoller
2johnx2Free MemberReading with interest for ideas but may as well chuck in an oar…
Maybe for a more XC type round the Walna Scar descent to Coniston, up via Stephenson Ground and shoulder of White Pike?
On a few of those mentioned:
Helvelyn and Seldom Seen – absolutely
Grizedale Pike plus as many of the NW fells as you can fit into a ride. Winlatter on the way down.
I like the Kentmere Horseshoe, up via Dubbs Res, dowm via HP Plantation after wander towards Longsleddale.
Skidaw round – up via the BW. Ullock pike is okay for a shite rider, I can confirm, as long as you’re happy walking the odd bit. Then big country round the back via Skidaw House and Lonscale Fell.
All five hours ish I think, I’ll leave it there…
phil5556Full MemberWow thanks, great info. Will go through it all when I get a chance.
And yes some low level ideas also welcome.
We might actually only get 2 days riding in this trip but definitely won’t be the only time we visit, so lots of options very welcome!
boxelderFull MemberCockpit to Howtown, Coledale Hause, Ullswater Bridleway for an easier day. 😉
Easier day?? – you must mean Boredale Hause……..
1phil5556Full MemberSo…
We made it here, only have 2 days and the weather isn’t looking great for anything too high so We’re going to do The Borrowdale Bash 🙂
Can I check if this is the route to follow? And it looks like it includes the Walla Crag section that I’ve seen mentioned and it goes up the BW instead of Honister.
Can we ride this bit above the road at the Cat Bells section? Where I’ve marked with the green lines.
Cheers
phil5556Full MemberTrailforks route link
Borrowdale, consider yourself bashed Route
https://www.trailforks.com/goto/ro/25638/1el_boufadorFull MemberYep that bit all on the bridleway above the road is fine. Decent climb from Manesty (see if you can clean it – tough) but then becomes nice and flowing – blue really.
AmbroseFull MemberWe took the road instead of your green line when we visited in August. It was heaving with people. I found the Walla Crag a bit disappointing because it was so very rocky it was difficult for me to get much flow going, even down to Ashness Bridge. We followed what seemed to be the main route but actually ended up on the path (not shown at 1:50000) to Brown Knotts rather than the RoW approx. 100m to the west that perhaps we should have been on.
I found much of the route too blocky/ rocky for my liking. I was on and off the bike so much to get past so many of the steps/ rocks/ boulders etc in many places, notably the Scaleclose Gill to Lavery Gill section and above Walla Crag. TBH, I’d not ride it again it was just too discontinuous for me.
TallyhoeFree MemberNever been a fan of the Borrowdale bash for some reason. But there is plenty more to go at if you get yourself a guidebook from Vertibrate. My particular favourite is the route round Loughrigg Terrace, Iron Keld, Tilberthwaite and Little Langdale. Still a good day out despite the trail works.
2JonEdwardsFree MemberI find it fascinating how different people have such different opinions of the trails. For me, Walla Crag is the bit that makes the basic Bash into a worthwhile loop – other wise its just too much road. I don’t recall it being overly rocky, but then my local riding is Peaks, so rocky is normal. Same with the comment further up about Ullock. There’s maybe 10m of it thats properly hairy (and I’ve always been solo when I’ve ridden it, so not given that a proper go), the rest is beautiful techniflow riding (the locals do the whole thing at night!). Likewise the chunky bit on the ‘Bash down to Rosthwaite (Birkett’s Leap?) – that’s exactly what I come to the Lakes for!
I quite like the ‘Bash as a “starter for 10” loop, then add bits on as you feel. Its always worth getting up to Styhead, one way or another, for the descent back down – even if you just push straight up it. The last time I rode it, I carried up Tongue Gill, then did High Spy, Maiden Moor and down Hause Gate, which was ace (although early June, not autumn!) – I find the Castle Crag descent just an exercise in pinch flat avoidance. It’s not challenging, just rocky, so you try and carry speed. Psssht… 🙁 If you’re feeling particularly masochistic, you could carry on to the top of Honister, through the Fleetwith quarries and down Wharnscale Bottom to Gatesgarth then back up the other side of Honister back on to the normal ‘Bash route. Its an ace descent but a hideous pair of climbs.
thegeneralistFree MemberDecent climb from Manesty (see if you can clean it – tough
Oh hell yes. There’s three brilliant climbs in the Bash, though I’ve only managed two of them, and even then not in one go..
Tend to agree with most of what JohnR writes above. Except the bit comparing rocky Peak tech to Lakes rocky! Sacrilege!
Lakes riding is awesome precisely because it isn’t much like the dross you get in the Peak
Ambrose, sounds like you would be better on Loughrigg etc, or Cockpit to Howtown
Also worth noting that the Bash is getting easier as the ebike lines get used more and more. I guess this is also the case with Unlock, but I’m not sure. It is Defo true of the Bash ( though I’m sure someone will be along in a mo to tell me I’m wrong)
SannyFree MemberUllock has gotten worse and not better in no small part thanks to e bikes.
There is a really big deep rut part way down what used to be a delicate and tricky slow speed section. It was like a massive wheel swallowing gouge when I tried to ride down it last time. I first rode it in the noughties and the deterioration is somewhat stark. Locked brakes combined with the effects of water run off have radically changed it at certain points.
Cheers
Sanny
1phil5556Full MemberNo e-bikes here today 🙂
Just thought I should get that out the way!
Great day out cheers, just the kind of thing we were after. Descents were great and the climbs tough but (mostly!) achievable. A good little adventure.
Didn’t quite clean the Manesty climb, maybe I could blame the hikers for not getting out the way in time 😉
thegeneralistFree MemberI didn’t say Bash had got better Sanny 😉
I said it had got easier.
WRT Ullock, I sit corrected. I do recall you posting that it had changed hugely, but mistakenly recalled you saying there were loads of new chicken lines being made.
It’s a pain in the arse TBH. The first climb on the Bash used to be a steep bit to the gate, slightly tech followed by a boggy haul up to a lovely gnadgery, rocky finale to the summit. But some cretins have just ploughed a new trail through the heather to the left as they don’t have the skill to ride the rocks, and CBA to carry the rocks.
martinhutchFull MemberI thought there was still a tiny bit of the Manesty climb that wasn’t BW? Has that been sorted out now? Not that I ever took any notice.
phil5556Full MemberGoing to do the Back Of Skiddaw Trailforks route tomorrow I think, any others I’ve found go around the West of Skiddaw along the road and don’t fancy that.
Then a quick loop of Lonscale Fell Thursday morning before we leave.
And do some more planning for next time we come down.
2el_boufadorFull MemberBack of skiddaw is total meh, IMO. It’s a big old xc loop and doesn’t really have too much stuff of technical interest that the north lakes is superb for.
If you want a much much better alternative then DM me. It’ll be cheeky and there will be walking involved…but it’ll be way worth it
thegeneralistFree MemberAgree with bouf. We had a god day out on back of Skiddaw, but only because we finished down Ullock pike.
phil5556Full Member@el_boufador I don’t seem to be able to send a PM but yes please.
Here’s a temporary email address if you don’t mind? quad-signet0y@icloud.com
Cheers 🙂
1phil5556Full Memberonly because we finished down Ullock pike.
Cloud is looking too low unfortunately and we’d rather do it in decent weather another time, so low level it is.
1el_boufadorFull MemberJust dropped a mail with a couple of excellent options for you
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