Taking the kids to the north lakes in the summer holidays. Will probably take the eldest (7) and youngest (3, on the shotgun seat) on the cockpit-howton decent and get the ferry back but was hoping there was something the twins (5) could ride. They're reasonably competent on 20" wheels but don't have any power or stamina. I'd take them on the cockpit route but don't think they'd manage the climb at the start.
Is there anywhere we can get dropped off and do a couple of miles gentle decending with minimal up on double track or tame single-track in the North Lakes?
Me and my neice once set off down the blue route at Whinlatter but rather than crossing the road, we followed the fireroads towards Bassenthwaite. I can't remember how steep it was but she didn't die, despite having very little riding experience 🙂
They’re reasonably competent on 20″ wheels but don’t have any power or stamina. I’d take them on the cockpit route but don’t think they’d manage the climb at the start.
How are you/ they with a towrope? Looks like you can drive the first 60hm on the road and then tow them the other 130hm. Would be a good workout....
On a nice day without a head wind, the old coach road east to west from matterdale. There is some uphill but overall pleasant, well made track.
Thanks, whinlatter is a good shout.
They're fine on the tow rope, but I'd likely be towing all 3 with another onboard so don't think that'll work without an ebike.
Wrong end of the Lakes, but the fireroad starting above Gummers How leading down to Chapel House is fairly long and gentle descent with vehicle access at both ends.
From the east end of haweswater theres a permissive bridleway that heads toward shap on the old concrete road, never ridden it but looks kid friendly gradient wise
but I’d likely be towing all 3 with another onboard so don’t think that’ll work without an ebike.
Good point 🙂
Not really north Lakes but would loughrigg terrace be an option?
42m up, 160m down
Assuming you have a shuttle bunny.
Loughrigg could be good, I think I might have taken the twins up the path to grassmere from white moss car park on 14's when they'd only just learnt to ride. Nice day out but a bit hairy coming back down with no brake control. Where exactly is the route you'd propose? Hopefully granny can be persuaded to shuttle us in exchange for tea and biscuits, although I'd expect we'd only get 1 run, so a couple of miles length would be about right.
Not descending, but the track along the river from elterwater to refreshments at Chester’s skelwith bridge and back is a lovely out and back ride, very easy, done it loads when the kids were younger.
Yeah Whinlatter.
Could do the blue then head down the bridleway/fireroad back to Keswick.
Where exactly is the route you’d propose?
Left to right. Note that the drive from Rydal to the pass is proper steep and narrow. Make sure granny brings her A game 🙂
Loughrigg Terrace is a good shout but there are a couple of short sections where 5 year olds could come a cropper.
How about the top car park on the way to Skiddaw back into Keswick via the bw? Or the track that runs along the flank of Catbells towards Grange? Some climbing involved there, and a bit of trickier descending/walking just before the road.
https://lowthercastle.org/cycling-walking/estate-trails/
You can spend a nice day exploring around Lowther castle near Penrith. Other things for the kids to do as well as cycling, plus the cafe is nice too.
Make sure granny brings her A game 🙂
Granny taught me to drive, and I suspect in a past life was a rally driver.
are a couple of short sections where 5 year olds could come a cropper
In what way? If it's rollable on a 20" they should be fine, and would stop if they didn't like the look of something, unless there's blind drop or gap or knarr.
Or the track that runs along the flank of Catbells towards Grange?
Is this the one above or below the road on the east side? I think I might have taken the eldest along there when she was 3 or 4 in the pouring rain.
I did wonder about skiddaw, that would probably be least faff.
I don't know about their skill levels (or levels of sensible). Nothing dramatic - couple of little steps, up and down. Wouldn't have trusted my two not to topple off into a stream at 5, that's all. Sounds like yours are probably more capable!
s this the one above or below the road on the east side?
Yes, the one that runs above the road.
Coming down that, I reckon the eldest would do it after a good look, the twins would probably walk. The youngest on the shotgun would make me do it 5 times as fast as possible, preferably with air off the step. Doubt any of them have the legs to get up it. Gives me a good idea though, thanks, if theres only a couple of bits like that it could make a good adventure.
That's the only bit with 'consequences' if you fall left. It's not a 'legs' thing, you roll downwards into it and carry speed to get you up and over. The other bit lower down is a standard lakes rock/rut/drop line choice thing. The rest is pancake flat. The most annoying thing about the terrace is stopping and starting for the walkers.