Anyone know the the Ambleside district in the Lakes

Me and the GF in May are heading over to the Lake District near Ambleside and we wondered if anyone coud give us any ride tips (i.e. do we need more brake pads), routes and absolute must do’s! We would love to tag onto a ride(s) if possible.

I’ll jump in before everyone else…call into Biketreks. They have route cards for a quid or so, but more importantly are happy to offer loads of great advice about where to ride.

Have a drink in the golden rule, have a mooch round the homes of football…and dodge the busker in the square.

Jenkins crag, trout beck, garburn pass
Elterwater
Iron Keld

many variations of these rides are on bogtrotters website

No extra brake pads needed.
“Home of Football” has gone out of business (I think)
Oh, and Biketreks will sort your route advice as above

Add Kentmere, Tilberthwaite,Loughrigg and Hodge Close to the lists above

If you are coming up from the South it is worth stopping in at Wheelbase in Staveley. They have just got a whole load of new stock in. Treat the GF to a meal in Wilfs Cafe next door, pick some beer up at the brewery and bread/chees at the bakery 😆

Then up to Ambleside and a visit to Biketreks.

Just up the road is Keswick and Keswick Mountainbikes and their cafe the Lakeland Pedlar. The “must do classic” ride form Keswick is the Borrowdale Bash and/or a route around Skiddaw.

Suggest calling any of the above shops and getting the printed routes posted to you before travelling and then copy them onto the appropriate OS map. They are up to a couple of ££s I noticed the other day but still worth it if you cannot find other info.

http://www.mountain-bike-cumbria.co.uk/

The High Street circuit is excellent but quite hairy-arsed as you’ll need to shoulder the bike up 1000 feet of hillside. It’s worth the effort though.

I disagree about High Street – most over-rated ride in the Lakes IME.

Second the rest of what’s above though. I would definitely do something incorporating Jenkin Crag – it’s a lovely descent and brings you right back into Ambleside. You could combine it with Garburn Pass quite easily which is also fun.

Make sure you get a trip to Wilfs and Wheelbase at Staveley.

Happy to pop down, meet up and show you round depending when you are in Ambleside. Dates?

get the vertebrae graphics book – job sorted

Gone a bit quiet of late, but usually some rides on offer HERE [/url]…….

What sc-xc said, Go to biketreks with a map, a highlighter and a smile and they’ll sort you out.

or

get the vertebrae graphics book – job sorted

“Home of Football” has gone out of business (I think)

Nope, Stuart has moved the collection down to the National Footbal Museum in Manchester.

http://www.homesoffootball.co.uk/about/

GF here!

Thanks for all the advice … we will pop into Biketreks for maps 🙂 And will look up some of the suggested trails when we get there.

We hope to do:-

Hellvellyn (ambitious we think but what the hell)
Altura trail
Garburn pass
And maybe some routes near Ambleside.

Are there any places that serve up BIG MTBing portion meals in the area? … we will need tons of carbs 😉

@ Trekster – we will be up between the 6th and 12 of May … if you are around it would be great to be shown some local stuff.

Are there any places that serve up BIG MTBing portion meals in the area?

http://zeffirellis.com/
Pizza
Some good pub grub to be had, again Andy or Keith @ Biketreks can/will advise
Visit Wheelbase and eat here[/url]

@ Trekster – we will be up between the 6th and 12 of May … if you are around it would be great to be shown some local stuff.

Can meet 7th/8th or 9th. Not exactly “local” but know my way around the area.
A few pics
Get in touch with the Bogtrotters Wed night ride

lucie 4s is great in my experience

Usually have a post ride chippy, the one opposite Zeffs 😆
Good route from the Boggies 😆

For huge carbs head to the apple pie shop about 30 yards from biketreks.

(where you will pay through the nose for apathetic service)

(Ok to take pies out – but don’t eat in. Crap service, crap food)

sc-xc – Member
(where you will pay through the nose for apathetic service)

(Ok to take pies out – but don’t eat in. Crap service, crap food)
Yup, gone downhill recently. Previous 2 visits have been disappointing hence chippy the other week

From Mrs RT …

@ Trekster – chippy and route sounds great, looking forward to it already. RT is not sure about about the Pizza and Jazz combo though 😆

Cheers. I am not a Boggie tho, just a very handy way of showing a good route(s). Think that site is the work of the infamous sfb(simonfbarnes) from this here parish

Can meet 7th/8th or 9th.

Mail me if you want/don`t mind some company, sure I can persuade scotabroad and a few others to come down for a ride(STW Lakes ride? ). More than likely we will be down anyway. Plan is to get down at least 1 x month this year, we are only 1.1/2hrs away so is “local” for me/us.

Will mail nearer the time … don’t mind who comes more the merrier!!! Though I am not the fastest rider, and will not be used to proper hills … RT will be okay as he’s super fit 😀