Best base for Lake ...
 

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[Closed] Best base for Lake District riding

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Planning a few days in the Lake District with a couple of MTB and/or road rides.

Where would be the best place to stay that has good access to the best routes?

Also, what are the 'must-do' routes?


 
Posted : 26/01/2009 7:52 pm
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Keswick in the north, Staveley in SE or Ambleside is pretty central. You'll need a few months to cover the must do rides. Pop into Biketreks and they'll sort you out.


 
Posted : 26/01/2009 7:59 pm
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Ambleside was somewhere we were looking at, so glad you mentioned there.

What are the best routes/areas to ride from there?


 
Posted : 26/01/2009 8:17 pm
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Kendal or Staveley give you plenty options to go at!


 
Posted : 26/01/2009 8:30 pm
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I'd go for Ambleside / Coniston in the S, and Borrowdale in the N


 
Posted : 26/01/2009 8:35 pm
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Ambleside for me, Good riding and plenty of places to eat and drink. Biketreks is there with a free bike wash. And the world capital of fleece shops.....


 
Posted : 26/01/2009 8:37 pm
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Another vote for Bumblethwaite although don't discount Stavely for Wheelbase, Wilf's and the Hawkshead Brewery


 
Posted : 26/01/2009 8:44 pm
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Routes: there may not be too much agreement on this, but:

Tour of Coniston
Tour of Derwent (AKA Borrowdale Bash)
High Street
Tour of Skiddaw (and Caldbeck Fell too if you want more)
Burnmoor Tarn (Eskdale)
Helvellyn & Dodds (at least 8 different routes)
Claife & Grizedale
Elterwater & Tilberthwaite
Garburn & Kentmere (and poss. Longsleddale)
Nan Bield (for completeness only, I hated it)
Black Combe
Scarth Gap & Floutern Tarn
+ many more


 
Posted : 26/01/2009 8:45 pm
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Routes: there may not be too much agreement on this

Having done most of those I'd agree.

Would love to do Black Combe, might put that on my list for next month


 
Posted : 26/01/2009 8:49 pm
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Would love to do Black Combe

I'm not overly fond of it, as the long drag up from sea level isn't much fun, and the crazy steep DH is over so soon - though I have had some nice shots of the sun reflecting on the sea below...
[url= http://148.88.53.14/rides/2002/black/seaflash.jp g" target="_blank">http://148.88.53.14/rides/2002/black/seaflash.jp g"/> [/img][/url]

Also I can see BC from my street, but I've never been able to see *Lancaster* from BC 🙁


 
Posted : 26/01/2009 8:54 pm
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As SFB Says,and the best roadriding is Probably south of Stavely to Newby Bridge but all of the lakes roads are pretty quiet this time of year.

Dont discount the Keswick area though Borrowdale bash,Tour of Skiddaw,Whinllater.etc etc.

see KMB for best route advice,theres evening rides from biketreks and at KMB the pedlar cafe 1830 tuesday evenings (with lights)

Great none smoking accomadation could be:

Graham in Keswick
E-mail Address(es):
enquires@harvingtonhouse.co.uk
Business Information:
Web Page: http://www.harvingtonhouse.co.uk/

Have a great Holiday 😀


 
Posted : 26/01/2009 9:05 pm
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Thanks everyone. Lots of think about.


 
Posted : 27/01/2009 8:52 am
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Coniston is an excellent base.

Tour of coniston, Grizedale, claife and Hawshead all within striking distanec as are little langdale, loughrigg, Torver, duddon valley (excellent riding here) and walna scar.


 
Posted : 27/01/2009 9:20 am
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I would def put Walna Scar on there. Garburn is a must both ways round imo.

Coniston or Ambleside would be good bases. Stavely is great too - massive bike shop plus brewery plus nice cafe plus some great riding on the doorstep.


 
Posted : 27/01/2009 10:01 am
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Hawshead is also a good base. Easy access to the Grizdale trail/bridleways and Walna Scar ride. Not far from Ambleside, Keswick, Stavely.

I uaually try ans stay in or around Ambleside, Conniston. Hawshead.

As above Biketreks is a good source of info but all the Lakes shops have pre-printed maps of all popular Lakes rides. Get in touch with them and get them to post some to you.

Or, [b]sfb[/b] could post a link to his excellent route site. Please.

http://www.offroadadventures-online.com/

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


 
Posted : 27/01/2009 12:27 pm
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sfb....could do with some of your route suggestions for a 2 day weekend riding High St & Helvellyn. Thanks.


 
Posted : 27/01/2009 12:30 pm
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Forgot to say that Coniston has the Brewery behind the black bull. The clincher I think you will find.


 
Posted : 27/01/2009 12:30 pm

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