Taking some non-biking friends up to Whinlatter on sat to try the blue route – I want to nip off and do the red routes for an hour or so afterwards – is there a decent pub nearby they can go and hang out while I do that – and maybe get some food?

Preferably on the way back to Keswick but near enough for me to ride to fairly quickly. Would quite like to do the bridleway to Thornthwaite – what’s the pub there like?

I suppose some of em might be up for the red, but they are not really outdoorsy or active types so we’ll see.

http://www.middle-ruddings.co.uk

The Coledale Inn at the top end of Braithwaite (over the bridge right at the foot of the pass, before you get to ‘the narrow bit’).
The Royal Oak is pleasant enough – in the newer bit of the village, Keswick side of the narrow bit.
Pub in Thornthwaite shut AFAIK.