I don’t have any children, but I think this is absolutely brilliant.
Good on them. The future is theirs!

Cheers Biebs!

Great, Grisedale Pike sounds like a winner then. I have ridden Helvellyn a couple of times and hiked Skiddaw so would like something new, which Grisedale would be.

@Mahalo – what time did you aim to be at the summit for? Sunrise is currently about 430 am, did you get there for this time? I’m wondering with a higher horizon, a little later might be alright.

Ta.

Thanks for the replies gents. Bivvying not an option unfortunately as I haven’t the kit for it, but would be fantastic thing to do.

Grisedale Pike might be a good option as I’ve not ridden it yet as may be Esk Hause.

Cheers.

Yeah riding…

Cheers for skiddaw suggestion.

Nice to see a good Bristol contingent on here! Thekla is my favourite venue anywhere, seen some great gigs there and a fair few dnb nights.

I’ve got Bodega at the Fleece in a few weeks. Can’t wait for that one.

Cwmcarn is a great trail centre. Two red grade trails, both with district personalities. to make a couple of days of it, you would have to do both in one day which is 3-4 hrs riding, then you could play on the two DH tracks, maybe even uplifted if it’s running on the days your there. No idea about camping locally though.

I live in Bristol and go to cwmcarn alot. Bang for your buck trail centre!

Interesting thread this, I’ve been dithering over a new helmet for 6 month, waiting for a sale, or just trying to find the right one. Can’t believe they knock these out for 15 quid. Are we all being THAT ripped off by the big brands?!?

Hi Jamie. Sorry to hear about the poor situation of your friend.
I feel I can offer some advice. Unfortunately I can’t help with the symptoms he experiences, however, in terms of quality of life and management of symptoms your friend needs to see a Specialist Neuro Rehab Occupational Therapist.
The bread and butter of the OT is to maximise the engagement of their clients in meaningful activity, thus improving quality of life, and hopefully, as a consequence, improving mental health.
They will support them to manage their pain and fatigue on a daily basis so that this barrier to meaningful activity is reduced. As a specialist in neuro rehab they will also be able to address his cognitive issues and will be able to provide strategies etc that again, will reduce this barrier to engagement in meaningful activity.
They OT will start small and begin with simple achievable goals, potentially working up to return to employment etc.
However, as he is 5 years post injury, he will likely not be able to access statutory services, but it will always be worth a phonecall with his local community or inpatient neuro rehab service to speak to an OT there.
The only option would be to go privately, and I appreciate there is a cost to this.
But what price do you pay for an improved quality of life?

The Blue run, is totally rollable and great fun, and great for skills progression, such as berm technique and jumping (there are three rollable table tops at the bottom).
Have fun!

Did anybody else see The Red Turtle last year?
I managed to catch up with it last night.
Simply wonderful, hand drawn animation, no words, just a visual delight, with a simple, touching, captivating tale about the milestones of life a human being.
It really got to me this film.
I urge everyone who hasn’t to go and see it.
Also, Blade Runner 2049 was ace.

Slight hijack, but any of you Wahoo owners use it for off road navigation?
Cheers.

@hot flat good advice that, always worth asking, you never know…

@Chris E. We will NOT be camping. Not that we’re soft but rather this would be our first time, and I think it sounds a little more palatable to us! So it will be a combo of alpine hits and hopefully, a couple of actual hotels / hostels or whatever along the way.
I’ll pop you an email, that would be ace!

Cheers

Thanks for all of your thoughts! And Inspirations.

@ewan I’ll pop you an email now pal.
Not too fussed about sleeping high or low. Happy to sleep in the valleys for a bit of extra comfort…
Any more thoughts, keep em coming!
Cheers

@grum p. Thanks for that info. I know it won’t be as straight forward as just following lines on a map. I don’t think abseiling with bikes is quite in my skill set!! Nor do I want to be caught out on the wrong paths at the wrong times…

Cheers fellas, they were solid, positive responses.
Ewan, pictures look AMAZING, Will have a look at the rest after work.
Ok, so some serious planning to be done then. Firstly, I guess, buy some maps start browsing.
If possible, I would love to do it unguided, just appeals to my more adventurous side…
Ewan, 25ltr packs, self supported, fair play. How many of you were there to spread the load?

Cheers.

I’m also curious about whether the OP’s question is plausible.
So, my question is …
Would it be possible to buy the relevent Alps maps. Find the resort’s with lifts and link them from the top of the lifts along footpaths etc down to the next resort, thus being able to sort of transverse the Alps.
In theory would this be possible?
I’d be happy to go in any direction, but would like to ride for say 7 days. Without having a guide.
Cheers

I’m going up as well for he first time this weekend. Might see you up there Andybrad!

Thanks Nobeer.

Bit of a thread resurrection, doing Helvellyn in a couple of weeks. having read through a couple of threads there seems to be varying opinions on the best route.
So, which is your favourite route and why?

Cheers

Thanks for the replies. Not the most positive feedback. I’ll give it a miss I think.
Only reason why I’m looking at gps devices for navigation is that I’ve got a weekend in the lakes coming up, and whilst I enjoy map reading, it does get a bit tiresome constantly having check and double check and does impact the flow of a ride.
And I don’t really want to splash £200 + on a Garmin.
Any alternatives for decent navigation under 200 quids? Otherwise it’s back to plan A.

1. So true.
2. So true

OP, if it’s not about sex, then may I venture to suggest that you have a mate who you very much love the company of who just so happens to be female. No reason why that is not compatible with marriage if you have a reasonably not jealous (…) wife.
Good luck!

Kruder and Dorfmeister remix of Lamb’s Trans Fatty Acid. Awesome tune

Cheers Rajboab.
Looks like it could be a winner

How are you getting on with the android box rajboab?
Looking at getting one myself and there seems to be a plethora of them…

Our terrier cross gets terrible hayfever throughout spring and summer. This first started when we moved down south (presumably due to different pollens etc). For the first year we didn’t know this was the cause and she scratched and bit herself into a terrible state, needing steroids and creams and dog cone for a couple of weeks to sort her out. Since then half a loratidine every other day, keeps her fine and healthy during these months (apart from the odd sneeze here and there).
Worth trying this approach. Very easy and cheap fix and you will know in a couple of hours after giving your dog half a tab if it’s worked (he will stop scratching).

With a combination of the advice listed in this thread, an OS map, the trail forks app and following my nose, I had an absolutely brilliant morning exploring the forest yesterday. As you can imagine it was a very start – stop affair as I was referring to my navigational aids fairly regularly, but i’m used to this kind of riding really.
Managed to rack up 30k and about 850m of climbing. Started at Parkend, took in some of the Dowies trails ,which are great, then worked my way over to Mallards Pike via New Fancy View and found some of the singletrack of to the east of there. Had a bit of lunch at the lake, then headed back towards to Parkend finishing with Dr Johns trail (which I really enjoyed).
Then to the Fountain Inn for a cold cider in the sunny beer garden.
Happy with my Saturday!

Would love to been shown around by you RussyH, but not around this evening unfortunately, cheers though, maybe some other time ?

Thanks RussyH,
I do have Strava, I’ll check you out!
Nice one Pawsy, liking the specifics, that’ll give me a solid place to start by the sounds of things.
Hopefully it’s not lashing it down.

Pawsy, I’ve ridden the DH trails a few times, just looking for something different.
Trailforks a good shout

Cheers guys,
So OS map and follow my nose, sounds good to me. I will have a check out of the event this weekend. I can always postpone if it’s going to be heaving and head somewhere quieter.
Ta.