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Sorry, I know this has been done dozens of times but I'm looking for inspiration...
Option 1, which we've done a few times from here, is Inners, but it's just too far... 107 minutes in the car
Hamsterley is always fun for a pootle, but that's our default from my parents' house and I fancy something different
Hexham Common is the obvious close option, but it is pretty dire.
I was thinking Cockpit to Howtown, Boredale Hause and Ullswater Bridleway, but missus not keen as it's too techie
Backov Skiddaw seems like an option, but missus not keen as it's too dull 👿
Maybe Loadpot Hill as per Vertebrate. Though I've never met anyone wot's done it....
Ae.... Meh
Newcastleton.... Meh
Kielder.... Not been for decades as it was so shit, but I hear they have built some " new " stuff? Is it any good?
So, what'v I missed within 90 minutes drive of here?
Carrier's Way / Bolt's Law / Edmondbyers Common from Blanchland (as featured in issue 122 of the mag)?
Coombs Wood?
Askham, Howtown, up Boredale (some pushing, very short carry), down Martindale back to Askham.
Explore Guisborough forest ? (never been).
Carrier's Way / Bolt's Law / Edmondbyers Common from Blanchland (as featured in issue 122 of the mag)?
Hmmm. Looking on my annotated OS map, it looks like I've done bits of that .
Looks like I didn't do the Carriers Way section though. I guess I head south from the southern tip of Slaley Forest, down Carriers way then Birkside back to Blanchland
Askham, Howtown, up Boredale (some pushing, very short carry), down Martindale back to Askham
Good suggestion. That would solve the problem of her not liking Ullswater BW. Though it does replace the awesome descent down to Patterdale with a slightly meh descent down to Martindale. But then if I have discounted techie then your suggestion does indeed sound excellent. 👍
Then is it back up the Howtown to Cockpit Bridleway then back to Askham exactly the way you came?
Thrunton?
Chopwell!
Thrunton would be about an hour away and is good fun. It's a good mix but you'll need to explore.
Is Thrunton fairly open to MTBs again now, I know it was basically ruined after Arwen for a few years.
It's not back to where it was but it is officially open and there is plenty to occupy you. Assuming you are looking for the steeper stuff. Not sure on the more xc loops that used to be possible.
Looks like I didn't do the Carriers Way section though. I guess I head south from the southern tip of Slaley Forest, down Carriers way then Birkside back to Blanchland
It looks from that like you might have done a section of it linked with some of the shooting tracks. Personally I prefer to go out via Coat House Farm and Birkside and along Carrier’s Way to the north.
As a longer alternative (that does include some road and Hexhamshire Common, but also pub/cafe stops), at the edge of the forest I usually double back and go down Embley Fell to Devils Water, back across to Viewley and then across to Rawgreen. From there I head west to Harwood Shield, Hangman Hill, Broad Way. At the end of Broad Way the descent from Green Hill to Fell View isn’t technical but is fast and fun (with a long line of sight). Then along the road to Rookhope (after the climb from Allenheads if the wind is a westerly this is quite quick and the scenery is great, with the remains of the old mines). Then Bolts Law back to Blanchland.
Thanks all. The lure of the lakes was too strong so we did the Askham to Boredale route from anorak. It was perfect. The descent to Martindale is actually really nice when the bracken is down and I went up the zigzags in Boredale which looks like a fun descent instead of the rubble filled gully if I go there again en familie. tThe grassy ascent up Boredale is still brilliant.
We shall try Chopwell and Thrunton when the Younger is with us, he's less XC nimble orientated than we were today.
And if I ever get fit then I'll do the Blanchland route.