Are they the ones with e grip tape in the middle?

They are – they’re arriving tomorrow.

I’ve had some bad experiences with Superstar products, although to be fair I’ve never tried their pedals.

Cheers David, thanks Bagstard

Wythburn to watendlath: there’s a fireroad takes you all the way up to Harrop Tarn (avoid the bridleway marked on OS maps). After the tarn, it’s just a case of following the bridleway past Blea Tarn (grassy and can be very wet), then across to meet the path coming off High Tove. Then there’s a nice zig-zag descent down to Watendlath (and on down Birkett’s Leap, etc).

Stonethwaite to Grasmere: +1 as scruff says. It’s not the best route in the world, but there are some nice sections so it’s worth doing once.

Birkside’s good, although there’s one fix the fells section that’s tricky (between your first and second photos). Lower Man, Raise, and Sticks Pass down to Glenridding is more fun.

Free Music Archive ?[/url]

I noticed aswell, there’s a permitted bike path down through the woods here, at Manesty Park which will avoid the footpath issue. Where does it come out?

Just a little up the road from where you turned off at the pink houses ir_bandito. It’s National Trust land…not as good a climb or descent as the more popular route.

One other alternative for the future – instead of turning right and taking the bridleway around the terrace at Catbells, head straight up onto Hause Gate. There’s an easy but fun descent down the Little Town side, but the better option is to turn around and head back down the way you came. One of the best descents around Keswick.

Excellent – thanks.

Whatever happened about the Manesty Bridleway issues?

There was a public meeting a few months ago where ‘both sides’ presented their arguments for and against a change in designation. The chap from the Park Authority was particularly good in the ‘for’ camp, whilst the objectors came across as fairly angry and irrational. Not heard anything since.

I’d not let it stop you anyway – it’s a foolish historical anomaly and needs to be ignored 🙂

Anyone ridden the Borrowdale Bash? heard good things about it, but cant seem to find a map/know exactly where it is!? Same with Grisedale pike?

Hi Matt – send me an email (parkedtigerATyahooDOTcom) and I’ll jot down some suggestions 😀

I’d not bother with the top of Scafell Pike – it’s a fun hike a bike but there’s no riding on or near the summit. The best, closest descent begins around Esk Hause (between Great End and Allen Crags). If you’re looking for something big in that area, the descent of the front of Great Gable down to Styhead Tarn is excellent. A popular footpath though so best done later in the day when the walkers have all gone home.

anyone know what the bridleways like to ride that goes from there to start of the Whinlatter trails?

There are two bridleways (and plenty of footpaths) heading up from Thornthwaite and Braithwaite. The C2C marked bridleway (just after the old garage) is your best bet going up. Half way up (just as the path levels out), look for another path that cuts across – that’s the descent Lesanita2 is refering to with the little step part way down and is the best option on the return journey. You can pick it up from the fireroad just after the first section of the North Loop, although the top part is footpath so best avoided if it’s busy with walkers.

No sorry Donk – I was referring to the left hand side of Langstrath if ir_bandito was to take the other option. I’ve not tried the left hand side of Styhead Gill – we’ve looked at it a couple of times…will add it to the to-do list 😀

Isn’t the left-side a cheeky footpath?

Part of it is 😀 Coming off the pass leads you to a bridge; cross, and the next kilometre and half-ish is marked as a footpath on OS maps which ends when you reach the pool. In reality, the path takes you right around to the campsite and on into Stonethwaite. It’s really quiet around there this time of year, especially mid-week.

Styhead Tarn down is a fantastic descent – fast in parts, nice and techie in others. I’d say it’ll probably save you at least two hours over the other route. After Angle Tarn it gets pretty boggy, that side of Stake Pass is a pretty tame descent, but once you’re down in Langstrath it’s a nice rock garden-type path. The left hand side of the valley’s better than the right (as you’re looking towards Stonethwaite).

Edit: if you went in the other direction, up Stake Pass and up to Angle Tarn, you’d get the ‘extra’ descent down from Esk Hause to Styhead Tarn and then on down to Seathwaite.

If the Dog and Gun’s full, there’s The George (St John’s Street towards the cinema), or down to the bottom of Main Street to The Bank Tavern.

KMB will have a map of the ‘Riverside ride’ – known locally as ‘Glenderaterra’ after the beck in the bottom of the valley. No need to come into town if you’re staying down in St John’s – you can pick up the route by heading straight to Threlkeld. There’s a nice off road route takes you through Threlkeld Quarry – easy to find as it runs parallel to the B5322. I’d also avoid being tempted into the full figure of eight around the back of Skiddaw – it’s the world’s most boring ride.

It’s worth considering Sticks Pass from where you’re staying – you can hike up your side and the descent into Glendridding is one of the best. There’s a few miles of tarmac via Dockray, then you can pick up the Coach Road all the way back to St Johns. Not suitable for a beginner though.

I think everybody’s rear brakes were locked fully on for the majority of the descent so there was probably no pad wear at all ! The few trips over the bars we had were into lovely soft snow – we rode up Latrigg on the way back into town and I was more worried about slamming on the ice coming down Spooney than the descent off Skiddaw 😳

Morning mrh86 – it was a bit breezy going up Jenkin Hill but once we were in the shelter of Little Man, it was fine (as is usually the case). All pretty ridable from the top of Jenkin Hill too with a push up to the final gate. Cold, but we’ve been up there in worse to be honest. The descent down Slades Beck was hard work but fun 😀

Oh yes 😈

We’re heading up Skiddaw to try a ‘new descent’ into Slades Beck if you fancy a ride out of Keswick this evening boxelder ?

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The Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA) and the Protect IP Act (PIPA) would give the mainstream entertainment industry new powers to shut down websites that threaten their established way of doing business. No due process necessary; just add a site to their blacklist, and service providers’ arms would be twisted into actively monitoring and censoring independent voices.

Morning Chew – the most direct route from Rosthwaite / Seatoller to Wasdale is the one already mentioned by James over Styhead. It’d be a carry most of the way to the tarn, about an hour, and the descent’s not too bad (although you’ll presumably be carrying a fair amount of kit).

One alternative might be via Honister (if you’re not fussed about sticking to bridleways) – from the top of the pass, head towards Brandreth, cut right keeping Green Gable on your left and head around the back of Great Gable. You can then descend the path between Gable and Kirk Fell.

Another alternative might be to head to Stonethwaite and over Stake Pass to Langdale, then onto Coniston. Not a bad carry up the Langstrath side of the pass – I’ve not descended the other side myself but hear it’s pretty techie (in a fix-the-fells steps way).

A friend who works at the local (Keswick) Youth Hostel was telling me the YH Association are specifically targeting young families this coming year – might be worth a call.

If you’re struggling with B and Bs, you could try the youth hostel.

Edit – beat me to it Dave 😉

As mentioned, the Dog and Gun and The George are good for food and beer – Square Orange for ale, pizza, tapas. The Lakes Bistro and Morrells are good for food – three curry houses, two chinese, and one thai, all pretty similar standard. Chippies in town are pretty rubbish – Bank Street’s usually the best though. Pubs to avoid: the Queens Back Bar and Casa’s.

Also as mentioned, there’s one club. If you’re looking to settle down with an attractive local lass who’s still got most of her own teeth, then 1 a.m. outside The Loft is the place be.

Lots of different routes up and down – we’re Thirlmere side and tend to go up and over Sticks to Glenridding and back to Keswick via the Coach Road, or up Sticks, Raise, Lower Man and up to the Summit, then down to the church at Wythop.

Current forecast is good for Saturday and there’s not really any snow to speak of on any of the tops here (Skiddaw, Grisedale, Blencathra, etc). Not sure about Helvellyn though. Have fun.

EDIT – sorry Paul…just realised I suggested the reverse of your favourite route there 😀

Do you lot not fancy coming on the brewery / turbine ride that Graham has organised ?

I might be in Bury that weekend (visiting parents) – will drop you an email if I can get a pass out Dave !

Good spot to do a ‘Stick Pass and back along the coach road’ route from too – and for getting lost on Blencathra 😉

Hahah careful – he might get out the wire brush 🙁

Hi Rob – I’ll add a link to your thread to our Keswick riders group page – there are quite a few Penrith based riders on there. If you’d like me to add you as a member of the group, email me at parkedtigerATyahooDOTcom.

One to avoid Dave – Castlerigg Farm is a quick off-road walk in and out of town – however, I’ve just been informed they won’t accept advanced bookings from campers during high season and aren’t too keen on large groups.

Burns Farm, nr Threlkeld probably 3 miles east of Keswick

+1 Burns is probably worth a look – it’s easier to get to than it maybe looks on paper; there are a couple of quick ways by bike via the railway line. Not so close if you’re walking to the pub…it would be better to walk into Threlkeld (maybe about 20 minutes), and both pubs do excellent food and ale.

Lowey – if you want to wild camp, we’ll hose you and the lads down with Stoney’s pressure washer for £10 a pop 🙂

I’d second Martin’s comment on checking with Dale Bottom Farm to see if they take groups camping – it’s quite a small site with mostly caravans.

…and a large gang of attractive girls looking on, eh stoney 🙂

Current forecast is pretty windy for Saturday:

http://www.mwis.org.uk/ld.php?fdate=111126

I’d be prepared to be blown back down Jenkin Hill if those gusts keep up 😉

MWIS is usually the closest to reality if you don’t want anything more than 24 hours in advance – BBC and MET Office are not so good as we have our own little micro-climate going on under (and over) Skiddaw.

Given the choice Rusty Spanner, I’d choose Whinlatter over that full figure of 8 Skiddaw loop – it’s a boring drag. Or maybe do the short Glendeterra version (as that gives you the best bits) and then head down Borrowdale. KMB in town have route maps.

Which route do you take to get uo there when you, errr, take a wrong turn and end up on the fell?

Whatever you do Sanny, don’t go up Springs road, past the mast, keep left, right at the road, right at the farm over the beck. Left fork after the four bar gate. 😉

this must be a joke?

hahah that’s Pimhole Sefton (the junction of Rochdale Rd and Heywood St). I grew up around there: gives me cold shivers just thinking about it 😥

Get the ferry across (if it’s running)

Yep – launches are running and I don’t imagine any stops are underwater right now.

Springs road, up Walla Crag, down Cat Gill, and back along the lakeshore – an easy walk from town with a nice view at the top.

+1. It’s worth having a plan B up your sleeve – if there’s snow on the summit you’d probably have more fun descending north via Bakestall. It’s also a bit of a pig navigating the summit if you’re in the cloud.

I never quite got The Flumps, always more a Cosgrove Hall fan.