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I’m coming down to the Lakes next weekend and fancy riding Hellvelyn.
What are the least tech-y / easiest routes up and down?
I normally ride in the Cairngorms, so am comfortable in big mountains, navigating, etc.
Thanks!
What mountains have you ridden in the Gorms? to compare.
None are easy, why would you want them to be? Whole point of going up a mountain is to be thrilled on the way down, surely?
Walk up Keppel, ride down Keppel.
Zzzzzz
If only there had been a thread about this very recently 🤔
Don't be so critical Larry, maybe he's taking his mum or his 12yr old daughter, give him a break.
Just to counter some of the negativity on here …
https://singletrackmag.com/forum/topic/best-descent-from-helvellyn/
Last time I included Helvellyn in a route it was a (long but easy) push up Dollywagon Pike then a fun, fast but non-techy descent down Sticks Pass. The Dodds were on this route and should be bone dry right now so maybe take advantage of it?
If you ride big mountains in the Cairngorms then Hellvelyn will be like a bimble around Loch an Eilein for you.
Don’t be so critical Larry, maybe he’s taking his mum or his 12yr old daughter, give him a break.
If I wish to pass judgement that the easiest way down is boring I will, thanks.
Maybe he isn't taking his mum or 12 year old daughter but just doesn't want to ride super tech/10ft drops.
It's all relative. No ride that includes the summit of Helvellyn, and England's highest BW could really be described as boring, regardless of how (relatively) straightforward the descent is.
Most recent rides in the 'Gorms were Beinn a'Bhuird and Sgor Gaioth, for comparison.
Whole point of going up a mountain is to be thrilled on the way down, surely?
Whole point of going up a mountain is to enjoy the experience of being up in the mountains...
Maybe he isn’t taking his mum or 12 year old daughter but just doesn’t want to ride super tech/10ft drops.
This... I've seen that the descent down Dollywagon is just manmade steps and water bars. Not really my idea of fun!
So, how about starting at Glenridding, up Keppel Cove to Hellvelyn, then doubling back for a descent down Stick Pass back to Glenridding?
The route you describe is fantastic, summit, lower man, sticks and if you want some added excitement Seldom seen.
Oh and Sgor Gaoith with the descent from the weather station is one of the best.
<div class="bbp-reply-author">Larry_Lamb
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<div class="bbp-reply-content">Walk up Keppel, ride down Keppel.
Zzzzzz
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This is basically what I did last time I went up due to a rock destroying my drive train just beyond the summit. Still had a nice day out though!
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Don't forget a swim in Ullswater to finish. 👌
Don't forget a paddle in Ullswater to finish 👌😎
Make the most of the driest spell for years and take a tour of the whole range- matterdale up great Dodd and south along the ridge line all the way to dollywagon, then reverse either all,the way or drop off down sticks for more yee-ha..
I once did the full range with my longest serving mtb mate Nick McKeown ..both on hardtails in weather similar to what we have now ..the heat was incredible and Nick had downed a full 3 litres of fluid climbing / pushing up the Great Tongue bridleway prior to reaching Grisedale Tarn ..Dollywagon had just been doctored with rocks in metal cages ..the summit that day was really busy ..we carried on over the Dodds and I remember being really taken with the Old Coach Road drop into St.Johns In The Vale ..very loose and fast .
We cheated and had parked a car at both ends ..just as well as we were both totally goosed ..a hell of a ride though