I only know the lakes…

Low
Parkamoor
The Fox
Breasty Haw
Seven Sisters (All in Grizedale)
Nan Bield either way!
Colthouse (Claife)

Can someone tell me which is Seven Sisters ?

And I don’t think I’ve done all the BWs at Claife apart from Colthouse, so thanks for that tip !

If all you’re doing is taking your bike for a walk to access a descent then I’d rather go somewhere else where I can ride both up and down even if the descents aren’t as good. I’ve done an awful lot of walking and climbing in the mountains and dragging a bike along spoils the experience somewhat.

Yep, I’m another with that opinion. Have done it a few times, more so when I was young and thought that mountain biking had to involve mountains, but have come to the conclusion that I prefer riding to pushing or carrying ! And there’s always the fear that when you’ve done all that work, you’ll find you can’t do the descent (maybe that just me and my incompetence/fear). One hike that was worthwhile (and legal) was High Street – the descent (to the north) isn’t that technical, but it is long and you get fantastic views along the ridge.

There’s a whole heap of stuff to the south of Langdale, and it has the advantage of attracting less walkers than the rest of the Lakes. Loads of different options but on of my faves is to go to Tilbertwaite via the track that starts at the base of the Wyrnose pass, cut back past Hodge Close to Iron Keld and then back above High Arnside Farm. This route can be extended down to include Claife Heights, Grizedale, even Nibthwaite, Blawith and Walna Scar.

The liitle waterproof maps that the various bike shops sell are really useful – particularly the one for Grizedale

At the other end of the scale, you can do a great little technical loop from Elterwater in around 15 minutes – took me years before I could clean this section – Strava link

Called gamekeepers thumb cos you got it from strangling grouse !

Fraid not, don’t think they’ll have any effect either way.

I use Ergon grips on both MTBs, mainly cos I was starting to develop nodules on my palms (Deputreyans Contracture). But I’ve also got some residual thumb issues (injured both from skiing and mountain biking) and I’ve noticed that’s been hurting a bit recently.

What I did find useful was a compression support – a mitt with a velcro strap – that also gave some extra padding around the tender bit.

that’s on the South Peak loop

So’s a lot of other stuff ! But I would say it’s a lot more interesting than the Tissington or High Peaks trails, and not as technical as the stuff to the east of Bakewell.

Then again, the OP did say length wasn’t a issue, so maybe he would be ok with 70 miles !

P.S. Read your article a couple of days ago – might have a crack at it over the summer

The monsal trail from Bakewell through Cheedale towards Buxton may not be very challenging, but it is pretty spectacular, so if you can include that in a loop I would do so.

What concerns me is the headlines will be “UK cyclist fails drug test” when it should be “has an adverse analytical finding”.

It was the daily mail that broke the news, so what do you expect.
And OGE are angry with BC, who they reckon must have leaked it. I suppose it might have come from someone with an axe to grind against BC, that would be a fairly long list !

Interesting stuff from the guardian

<Sports doctors consulted by the Guardian confirmed that its performance-enhancing benefits are negligible even when inhaled on multiple occasions. It appears that one reason it is banned is to prevent abuse given some of the side-effects, while another is that there is less research around it compared to Salbutamol, a comparative substance sold under the trademark Ventolin which was recently taken off the anti-doping register. The Guardian was informed by one team doctor that to prevent slip-ups of the type that has embroiled Yates, he advises his riders against Terbutaline.

The UCI guidance on registering a TUE for terbutaline state that an athlete must provide lung function test results, detailed medical history and clinical review and further tests. The WADA guidelines state there must also be “justification from the prescribing physician as to why permitted alternatives cannot be used.>

So getting a TUE is not a foregone conclusion, and not getting one is more than just an administrative mistake. Feel sorry for Yates, his team is at fault, but think he is going to pay the price. If only he’d gone to Sky – they are much better at dealing with this sort of thing !

I’m another one with exercise induced asthma – pretty mild, but I know it makes a big difference to me if I forget to use my inhaler before I go out for a ride or a run.

Got my riding mates to compare peak flow. I’m usually around the 450 mark, but up to 520 after a couple of puffs. My two shortarse friends were 650 and 700, whilst the one who is almost as tall as me recorded 850. That should give you an idea of how difficult it is for me to take a big lungful of air, and how much energy I use when breathing hard. Short sharp hills kill me, but the rest of the time I’m fine.

Should we allow medical science to correct this ?

It’s all a question of where you draw the line – is it the same as correcting eyesight, or resetting a broken bone ? Female tennis players have had breast reductions.

I agree it would be great if Sky did have a women’s team, but on the charge sheet against the Murdoch empire that’s pretty low on the list.

But female cyclists in the UK are benefiting from the Sky/Wiggo effect, and what they need more of is TV coverage.

However this statement

no one in the UK really knew or cared about the Tour de France until Team Sky

remains utter bollocks. And I haven’t made any statement to merit this comment

your “everyone knows about it” generalisation

Anyway PK has now apologised and people still want him hung, drawn and quartered

Not as far from the truth as road race fans would wish to believe

I first heard of the TDF when Roche won it, and got hooked on watching it during the Lemond/Fignon epic. Back then it was primetime on C4 and lots of billboards. Sorry, but pretty sure most people had heard of it, but few could name any other race, and certainly not a women’s race.

Now, the knowledge of other men’s races in Europe has gone up and the knowledge of womens… probably still as poor.

Except that there is now growing interest in women’s racing in the UK – the women tour, Ride London and the TdY. Britain seems far closer to equality than the traditional nations. And I reckon team Sky, even without a women’s team, has been a very big factor in this

One thing that Peter Kennaugh perhaps doesn’t appreciate is that no one in the UK really knew or cared about the Tour de France until Team Sky.

What utter crap !!!!!!

I’ll be by the roadside for both races on Saturday and won’t be booing anyone

PK has made a fool of himself, but we don’t know the full story and we shouldn’t hang someone out to dry for a single ill-thought out comment on social media. I guess he feels that Sutton has been treated unfairly, is grateful to him etc etc.

Can understand Pooley and others being frustrated at the lack of opportunity and coverage for women’s cycling, but I don’t think its fair to criticise Brailsford for not setting up a women’s team, any more than the fact he failed to set up a MTB team despite the huge amount of UK talent.

Wonder how long it will be before he gets a job at team sky ?

Sutton has resigned

The Thomson seems a bit steep…

I’m hoping it will last longer and won’t let me down.

Also I found it difficult to get the seat angle on the HiLo right, and it had a nasty habit of tipping up on a ride. (Tip – lots of grease, then do up really tight, and don’t weigh 14stone!)

I was very unimpressed with mine – worked ok (never great) for about a year, spent money on seals and getting it serviced, but in the end it was leaking fluid and failing.

Gave it away and the new owner (molgrips) has managed to fix it and I gather is getting use out of it – he’s posted details on here of how he fixed it. (Do a search)

Nonetheless, I wouldn’t buy another one and have gone for a thomson elite instead.

Not had that problem, but did end up taking mine back to Evans cos it wasn’t locking in position, and whilst explaining the problem I realised what the cause must be (cable too tight).

The instructions do say that the post should only be installed by a professional mechanic – another way of saying we couldn’t be bothered to make the instructions idiotproof.

Whilst you are here Chris – how old is that post? Just curious, cos there’s a little wear here and there and I wonder how long it took to sustain it.

Bought July 2013, but actually used very little – it was on my ‘other’ mountain bike and I had various minor issues with it from the start. It may have been damaged in a crash I had early on (I was, which is part of the reason why it didn’t get much use that winter). One of the problems I had was due to the fact it had a single bolt clamp to hold the saddle and a tendency for the saddle to suddenly tip backwards.

have you lot seen the maintenance schedule

Does anyone take any notice of these ? 😯

Have to agree with Binners – first and last purchase from X Fusion

Then again, Mr Molgrips might have enough work to set up a business 🙂

Pleased (and a bit suprised) to hear you are getting some use out of it !
Yep, on the last couple of time I used it, lots of oil was leaking out of the top, but since the seals had just been replaced, the notion of getting different ones didn’t occur to me (though admittedly my level of technical knowledge runs to knowing which spanner to hit things with!)

Don’t worry, I don’t want it back ! I use that bike for long rides so reliability is pretty important

I just assume anyone going faster than me has a dodgy GPS device, takes EPO, or rides and e-bike !

Nope, meaning of life

Ah, I was thinking of the Hudsucker Proxy, but in that film someone jumps out a boardroom window, rather than in through it.

But I get your point – people aren’t buying enough helmets

FAO Darrenspink – is that a clip from a Coen Brothers movie by any chance ?

Decided against the bike, so ran instead. I sweat so much I don’t really notice the rain anyway !

Skip to 0:46:

What, and miss almost a minute of Dirk and Jurgen’s crazy dutch techno – BOOM TIMES !

In the end, didn’t get going til 2, which made things a bitv rushed. I’d say the rossendale way section past Waugh Well is a bit too cheeky for this year – very soft in places. Will work out an alternative for next time. Pretty impressed with Cragg – although I was always a bit concerned that I’d taken a wrong turn and was suddenly going to find someone coming the other way. In fact there was only one other rider up there, plus 5 lads on motos but I think they stayed off the MTB trail.

Has to be said the Drop-off cafe in Edensfield is excellant – very bike friendly – bike wash, stands, locks, don’t mind the fact that you’re filthy, plenty of cakes.

I agree with Podge that Gisburn is better, but this is more on-route.

Have to say I was really impressed withe place. Yes it was wet and muddy in places, but that’s to be expected. I was amazed at how much they packed in – I was expecting far more fireroad and easy miles.

Slightly annoyed with myself for not attempting the black runs, but time was pressing (that’s my excuse and I’m sticking with it!)

I’m hoping to pay my first visit there on Sunday – look out for tall bloke on a big bike with a green helmet showing a complete lack of skill

Well if you see a tall bloke in a green helmet and a 29er that will be white to start off with…..

That’s what I’m unsure about – I’ve got a plumber coming round in the morning !

Probably around 12

Thanks again for all the advice

My current plan is to park in Edensfield – then go through Shuttleworth (singing Two Margarines on the go, it’s a nightmare scenario), up Bamford Road, Coal Road, Rossendale Way, lap or two of Cragg, maybe go over to have a look at Lee, then down Sand beds and finish with a trip at the cafe. Does that sound reasonable ?

Unless the weather is grim (and it does seem to be whenever I go through Rossendale) in which case I’ll just do the shorter loop from Cowpe.

I drive from Sheffield to Blackpool a lot and prefer to call in at Gisburn for my riding

That’s my plan for the return trip on Sunday !

Binners – Do you have a GPX of a good route starting from Edensfield ? If the weather is good I might decide to spend more than the hour I first planned – although it also depends upon what time the plumber finishes !

When I did the Kielder 100 a few years back I was amazed at how much the total ascent was (c3750m) as there were very few noticeable climbs, just gently undulating terrain, but it all adds up.

You should avoid the midges in April, but I’d still take plenty of repellent just in case

Thanks for the advice. I think I’ll follow Craigs route, and save Binners for some time when I’ve got more time to explore. Looks like there’s plenty to do there.

Decathlon for me – cost about £10, and don’t last much more than one winter, but inevitable given the abuse they get. Keep the water out, though for a really wet ride I’d go for seal skinz as well.

Just out of interest, which trails does this event use ? I didn’t recognise any in the video, whilst some of the bridleways I’m familiar with are overgrown and could do with extra traffic

I was pretty impressed with what I did of the Cami de Cavalls in Menorca – had a few days where I’d cycle a bit and meet my wife at a beach

Hope, Roman Road, Potato Alley, Rowlee Farm, Lockerbrook, Ladybower visitor centre, Hagg Side back up to Hagg crossroads, down Hagg Berms, back along the lake side to Bamford and back to Hope

Did that ride in heavy rain weekend before last and it was great – entirely rideable, a few deep puddles (a fun game of russian roulette!) and a few muddy sections, but you’d expect that given the rain. The descents all seem to have washed clean which made line choice quite easy. And the dam at Fairholmes was well worth a look.

I’d expect Jaggers will be fine too, and AlexSimon has my respect if he rides up the Beast ! I suspect the route I’d normally take up there – the long straight climb to the East, then the cheeky bit through the woods to Wooler Knoll, would be pretty boggy higher up

Have you booked the Rutland Arms or the Rutland Hotel ?

The Rutland Arms is a pub near the train station – does great food (and beer), but not exactly your sit down Sunday lunch, and I’d be a bit surprised if it takes bookings.

The Rutland Hotel sounds more likely, but it’s up past the Hallamshire Hospital (I think)