Lakeland 200.... or....

If you don't want so much hike-a-bike, try one of the routes from the Jennride. Normally about 13,000+ ft of elevation over 100 miles, but far more of it rideable.

I've always wanted to do a Jennride but it's a long way to go for a weekend

Anyone want to share some thoughts on routes if I start at Staveley get to Eskdale then come back over Hardknott and Wrynose how can I get back over into Watendlath to complete the rest, seem to recall a track that goes from Thirlmere down to Watendlath?

There looks to be 3 bridleways in total, but I've not done the one you mention from thirlmere.

For completeness, Stake Pass from Langdale to Borrowdale would mostly be a carry up and then an on/off pita down the northside. Unless you're shithot at endo turns.

Greenup Edge would involve some nice techie descending into borrowdale but also a nasty scramble down Lining Crag. The top will also usually be a boggy nightmare. @Sanny seems to have some inexicable attachment to it though...

Which leaves you with your original choice. Go for it. However bad it is it can't be worse than my two options 🙂

There are no easy ways across the central bit. Chugging over Hardknott/Wrynose and then back across Greenup or wherever sounds like more effort than just biting the bullet and doing Black Sail and Scarth Gap.

An easier option might be to go further out west then north from Eskdale, rather than back in and across, and rejoin via Whinlatter or up to Buttermere and Honister.

(who wrote the little blue book of lies and the little red book of lies…)

Jeremy Ashcroft? I met him once, a really nice guy who also drew the maps that Trail Magazine used to illustrate their walking routes. Of course back then mountain bikes were a lot more capable...

@thegeneralist

You need to pay a return visit there. Greenup Edge has been upgraded. There is no boggy hell path over the top now as they have put in a proper path that goes over the saddle. Lining Crag is more a walk down steps than a scramble judging by the pics I took when I last went up it. The smart money would be to go from Borrowdale to Grasmere though as it avoids the Lining Crag chunk but that is not much use if going the other way! Ha! Ha!

I really like the Stake Pass descent into Borrowdale but then multiple trips to verbier where switchbacks are a regular feature mean that I really enjoy riding them.

@angallis_arvensis

The thirlmere bridleway is reputedly very boggy down to Watendlath but in this weather I would say go for it as the fells are tinder dry. There may be no better time to try it. Really tempted to do it myself. It goes via Blea Tarn. It is so dry that I am considering riding the Bleaberry Fell plateau which even Wainwright shuddered at!

Instead of Stake Pass, you could carry up Rossett Pike and descend down via Styhead Tarn which is deservedly considered a classic. However, you would have another climb out of Borrowdale to get to Watebndlath.

Hope this helps?

Cheers

Sanny

You need to pay a return visit there. Greenup Edge has been upgraded. There is no boggy hell path over the top now ..... The smart money would be to go from Borrowdale to Grasmere though as it avoids the Lining Crag chunk

Hmmmm. Might link in nicely with a Great End from Langdale type ride.....

Have they just done the bog or also the descent into Grasmere?
I found that very uninspiring last time.

Jeremy AshcroftT

Those are the ones!!! Ticked off most of the Lakes routes when I lived up that way, the tour of great gable has scarred me for life!!

There are no easy ways across the central bit. Chugging over Hardknott/Wrynose and then back across Greenup or wherever sounds like more effort than just biting the bullet and doing Black Sail and Scarth Gap.

True I suppose, might just play it by ear and see how I feel when I get there! As you say chugging round via the Western Edges maybe a better option.

Also when you get to top of high street would it not be better to go straight on over Ill Bell down to Garburn pass? Not done it myself and believe it's cheeky but.....

I've gone over Blea Tarn from Thirlmere a couple of times and it's not very rideable but it's OK overall, esp given there's not many alternatives - steepish ride up a forest road then pushing over most of it once you're out of the woods, but you could ride more on the plateau if it's very dry. I'm not a hike-a-bike enjoyer and it wasn't a big deal, so someone more in the bikepacking mindset would easy take it in their stride.

Also when you get to top of high street would it not be better to go straight on over Ill Bell down to Garburn pass? Not done it myself and believe it’s cheeky but…..

More techy in places, but gets ridden a lot in the other direction. The other alternative is Mardale Ill Bell, Nan Bield. Depends what you're comfortable with. After 120 miles on a fully loaded bike you may not fancy it.

effort than just biting the bullet and doing Black Sail and Scarth Gap.

Can you clarify the exact ask here. Looks like it's to get from Eskdale to Watendlath, is that right?

If so then i'd go from Eskdale to Wasdale via Burnmoor Tarn and then into Borrowdale via Styhead Tarn.

The first is pretty mellow and the secind is bloody marvelous tech

I think he's trying to avoid (or minimise) HaB (up and down).

Sty Head would be a horrible push/carry from Wasdale with a loaded bike, but I'm not sure I'd want to turn around at Eskdale and go over two big road passes and a fairly taxing push into Borrowdale. I read it that he didn't need to get to Watendlath, just back onto the L200 route in Borrowdale.

My suggestion would be to have a glance at the Western section of this and see if there's anything which seems better.

https://www.alltrails.com/explore/recording/lakes-300?referrer=gpsies

I think he’s trying to avoid (or minimise) HaB (up and down).

Sty Head would be a horrible push/carry from Wasdale with a loaded bike, but I’m not sure I’d want to turn around at Eskdale and go over two big road passes and a fairly taxing push into Borrowdale. I read it that he didn’t need to get to Watendlath, just back onto the L200 route in Borrowdale.

This is correct, that Lakes 300 looks good I can then just ride up Buttermere and rejoin the route...200 route...

I think he’s trying to avoid (or minimise) HaB (up and down).

Well yes, obviously. Thats what we're all trying to do pretty much. 😀

But from where to where?
Which is the place he wants to get from to another place with a minimum of HaB?

Eskdale/Wasdale to Borrowdale - he's trying to do the L200(ish)

This is correct, that Lakes 300 looks good I can then just ride up Buttermere and rejoin the route…200 route…

There is a BW via Floutern Tarn to Buttermere which I have not personally ridden, but which might be a goer to cut the corner. I think it has a boggy reputation at the top, but given the weather we've had, may be a good'un.

Which is the place he wants to get from to another place with a minimum of HaB?

I'd answer but the question doesn't seem directed at me. Others seem to have worked it out, not sure why you seem so vexed by it.

Mainly becausr it's so hot in my office.

But also because it seems to have changed.

And probably also becuase the others know what the lakes200 route is

There is a BW via Floutern Tarn to Buttermere which I have not personally ridden, but which might be a goer to cut the corner. I think it has a boggy reputation at the top, but given the weather we’ve had, may be a good’un

That's true, I have done it before  many years ago and remember a big bog trot

<p style="text-align: right;">But also because it seems to have changed.</p>

It hasn't.

And probably also becuase the others know what the lakes200 route is

So do I it just has some parts I am keen to redo having ridden almost all of it when I lived in the Lakes 20 years or more ago and it has some bits that I am keen not to push up and down again.

No. I mean that I dont know where the L200 goes, and hence don't know which exact bit you want to trim. I'm sure you do. 🙂

Anyway, its too hot for me, and we're clearly misunderstanding each other even on the easy bits, so I'll leave you to it. Hope it goes well.

Me too, thanks

have done it before many years ago and remember a big bog trot

I'm sure it will be fine now....<wanders away whistling>

I’m sure it will be fine now

I expect it would be right now but this ride won't happen till August