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I'm going to the Lake District this weekend and was wondering if there's any bike shops worth taking a look at while I'm up there?
We'll be in the North Lakes so anywhere in Keswick or that area would be good.
errrr, Keswick MTBs!!
http://www.keswickmountainbikes.co.uk
reasonable sized shop for a browse, if you join their mailing list you'll get 5% off purchases. They have free maps in there for the borrowdale bash and round skiddaw.
Even though you're limited in choice close to Keswick...there's KMB and Whinlatter bikes in Keswick. Then there's Cyclewise up at Whinlatter. There are various other places fairly close by if you're looking for something in particular though?
Go to Biketreks in Ambleside tell them stuart sent ya..also wheelbase is a big place well worth a look at its in Staveley though a bit nearer Kendal 😉
Keswick bikes best in my eye. Top guys 2.
KMB - helpful staff and lots of shiny things....
KMB are good, does Max still work there? He was mega helpful when I did a demo day there.
Looks like its gonna be a visit to KMB and Whinlatter Bikes then 🙂
Worth a visit to Wheelbase/Sttaveley just go to Wilfs for lunch or the brewery or even stop off at the pub in Ings 😀
Wheelbase is very souless for a bike shop and Wilfs is very overpriced/tiny portions, go to the Eagle and Child for a £5 lunch or a pastie @ The Beehive newsagents.IMHO
Rich
I've not really been in wilfs TBH even though I must have been there hundreds of times...I know where your coving from with wheelbase there's no banter but loads of bike porn 😉
KMB & Cyclewise at Whinlatter - both very helpful
Agree about biketreks in Ambleside, definitely not north lakes, but we've always found them helpful
Wheelbase is very souless for a bike shop
No worse than most. I like to wander in, browse, get what I want and leave suits me 😀 Always busy when I have been in so the chances of any " banter" is limited unless I were to hover.
If I want a chat I'll go into Biketreks and speak to Andy or Kieth if they are not too busy, otherwise I am unknown to the rest of the staff
If Andy happens to be in KMB we have a chat, having been a customer since they opened their first shop.
Best bike shop I have been in recently for "atmosphere" was Liesurlakes in Bury earlier in the year. Spent ages chatting to a young sales person who was possibly amused at someone as old as I was so keen and "knowledgable" about mtbs 😉
Not sure what size guy you are but I am pretty big with a good appetite and have ALWAYS been more than satisfied with the food at Wilfs.
You could say go to Asda at Kendal and eat there cos its cheap, but cheap is not always the best option.
Wilfs is a nice place with good food and staff. I have been going in for years and years. They have just opened a second spot at Grasmere too though I fear it will be aimed more at tourists than the traditional outdoor types who use the Staveley spot.
Wheelbase is soulless but helpful if you need advice or work or equipment or a new jacket etc. that's what they are for, if younwantbto talk bikes go with some mates and have a browse, they won't mind having a few people in the shop.
I have no connection with either firm except as a very satisfied customer.
Bob.
Whats a traditional outdoor type? most of the people queuing out the door are mostly old farts.Toilets a bit small to 😉
I'm with redrobie, wilds is great. Good food reasonably priced. A wander around wheelbase and a pint in hawks head brewery. What more do you want after a great ride in the lakes?
Fair point well made about the loo, pretty dam tight.
Is bike pedlar cafe still open in keswick? That was always good food, but not been in for a while. Unlike wilds, nearly weekly.
Wheelbase has always been good for a chat when I have been in - almost certainly going to go and buy a bike from them in the next few days as it happens 😉 Wilfs is fantastic, the brewery is too - not tried the food myself in there yet but the prices seemed okay and it did look good.
The Eagle and Child used to be fantastic but I haven't been in for years. Need to rectify that again soon... and The Watermill too come to think of it! Shame I live the other side of the South Lakes.
KMB is fab too, not been to Whinlatter yet.
I could easily take offence on here!!!
I probably am one of the 'old farts' queuing at Wilfs.
There are always a lot of walkers and cyclists in there when I have been, a number of locals use it as a meeting place for coffees and snacks, and yes there are some people who are just out for a drive in the countryside.
The Lakes National Park is probably big enough for everyone, oh except for people with power boats who were driven out by walkers and cyclists who couldn't stand the noise of speed boats on Windermere but have not as yet succeeded in stopping all motor traffic, after all that would prevent most of them getting where they want to be.
Sorry, that's a sore point with me still and not really relevant.
If you don't fit in the toilet at Wilfs use the disabled one, or just go somewhere else for your food.
Bob.
Yes, The Lakeland Pedelar is still open, well it was recently. I understand it is expanding up to where the bike shop area was now that KMB have opened the new shop. I have not been in there yet but they always have been good on the other sites too.
Bob.