Riding the Wainwrights

How many of the 60 would you recommend riding?

At a guess I'd say I've ridden about 15, walked another 40. There's not many of those 40 I'd bother riding.

I've not done any of the north western ones yet which as you say seems to be where most rideable ones are.

To be honest the majority in the North west Lakes are worth repeating and have done some numerous times, i'm a bit of a perfectionist when it comes to the quality, the bench mark would be a mix of slow rocky tech and fast flowing singletrack (fix the fells have not been to active in the NW lakes yet!). If i haven't previously walked it ( i spend a lot of time in the fells) some research checking out fell walking sites or google will find something, usually pics. Some have been real eyeopeners considering they are only known to a select few.

Pretty much what Mark said. I've done 184 now (mainly on foot), and there aren't that many I'd take a bike back too. By all means do it, it's been done, but if you value the best riding, why not just just ride the ones you've walked and think would make good riding? Otherwise you'll end up doing a lot of pushing for sake of a list.

PS I was researching some routes a while back, and came across a thread on here where someone had asked exactly the same question. Turned out it was me, and I'd forgotten all about it 😄

Well that is the rub if i havent walked it then it's an unknown entity, all the wainwrights don't interest me at all. it was just a reference to the Lakeland fells people understand.
Guess i'm just fishing for ideas in other areas, there is always a list of new places to discover.

I've ridden Blackcombe a few times. It's a slog / push up and then 10mins down from 2000ft to sea level. Not techy

Hey there are a few grassy descents in the Back of Skiddaw area like High pike and Great Scafell, no tech but still
fast and fun, an hours blast descending into the sunset is all good to me.

Have you done Red Pike down to Buttermere? Looks techy but I think it'll nearly all be rideable

I think last count ive done 42 with the bike, a few more without. Some i wouldn't go back to others ive done to death.I know thats not as much as most but I love the stuff around Whiteless , Causy Pike and Grasmoor.

Red pike is one id like to have a play on.

Good thread. I've been planning to get loads more of these done as it's so far to get from Manc to Scotland to do Munros.

Blencathra west to east was pretty good, but not a patch on Ullock.
Whiteless, Causey, Grisedale are givens.
BowFell was a bit rubbish. Just a means to an end. Though I'm keen to know if The Band goes.
Esk Pike was quite good, though of course the best bit is from Esk Hause.
Very keen to do Great End for above reason.
OM Conniston was good northwards, takes in Cairn and Swirl How

Fairfield and Great Rigg were brilliant descent.
Red Screes above Ambleside was a bit meh.
Yoke, Bell, Froswick are brilliant.
Harter (east) also brilliant.

Don't think I've done many others ( Helvelyn and High Street with associated tops, obvs)

Old Man is a challenge. Id have liked to do a loop inc Weatherlam and finishing back Via Holme fell in Ambleside

OM Conniston was good northwards, takes in Cairn and Swirl How

Where did you go from Swirl How? Can't recall much that way looking too interesting

Red Screes above Ambleside was a bit meh.

Interesting, I'd heard this was good. Meh in what way?

Yoke, Bell, Froswick are brilliant.

Been on my list but haven't got round to yet. Did you link this into Nan Bield? Or down another way?

Where did you go from Swirl How? Can’t recall much that way looking too interesting

Wet Side Edge and then Rough Crag. I was on my own and not not hugely pushing it. I'd say it was pretty mellow rather than full on. I reckon you would probably prefer the ( almost) reverse route tbh. Up Wrynose, then up Wet Side, over Swirl How then down the OMC tourist path, which looked mental to me. You done it?

Red Screes...
Interesting, I’d heard this was good. Meh in what way?

We went SSW from the summit. It was a bit damp after a huge dry spell so the few rocky bits were well greasy. But TBH I dibt recall many rocky bits.... just lots of grass. We shuttled up Kirkstone so only had a bit of HaB, but even then it didn't seem worth the effort. TBF we did Fairfield->Rydal just after, which was a mind blowing descent, so maybe it just suffered by comparison.
You * must* do Fairfield to Rydal by the way

Yoke, Bell, Froswick are brilliant.

Been on my list but haven’t got round to yet. Did you link this into Nan Bield? Or down another way?

Yep, into Nan Bield. The drop from Ill Bell into NB has a few too many uniform steep steps to be perfect, but is still good ( though not as hard as the Harter Fell Side that we did.

I think someone on the forum posted about it last week, I'll see if I can shake them up.

Oh to be well again 🙁

@mark88 - I've carried up from Buttermere to Red Pike several times and thought most of it would go, but there are a few awkward looking sections. I've always done it the other way - heading south east along the ridge to descend via Scarth Gap. Which reminds me - I haven't done that for a while, need to head back...

@thegeneralist - I actually enjoyed Bowfell. We mucked about on the slab, then did The Band. To answer your question, it goes very well. Just make sure you turn left early and avoid the farm at the bottom. As for Blencathra, try Doddick Fell next time. It's a peach of a descent.

Just make sure you turn left early and avoid the farm at the bottom

Glad its not just me that has felt the wrath of the Stool End farmer.

We mucked about on the slab,

Ooh, did you manage to get up it? I didn’t quite manage the first bit. Was just a tad damp. Quite scary feeling the front lift...

then did The Band. To answer your question, it goes very well. Just make sure you turn left early and avoid the farm at the bottom.

Sounds good, excellent

As for Blencathra, try Doddick Fell next time. It’s a peach of a descent.

Righto

If I can ever get rud of this lurgy it would be great to meet up for a ride at some point.

@lowey - I've not encountered him, but have been warned to keep well clear.

@thegeneralist - no, didn't try riding up it, just rolled down it pulling a few (tiny) rolling endos! And yes, a ride sometime would be good

I reckon you would probably prefer the ( almost) reverse route tbh. Up Wrynose, then up Wet Side, over Swirl How then down the OMC tourist path, which looked mental to me. You done it?

I've not ridden round there. I did run down Old Man tourist path a while ago and thought I'd be interested to see how rideable it would be. I think techy but doable. One you've tried @justinbieber ?

I've done Wet Side the other way - from Dow Crag down to Goat's Hawse then Swirl Band to Swirl How and onto Wet Side Edge and down into Langdale. Was a gloriously dry and dusty summers day, so that probably influences things. Would happily ride it again.

As for the Old Man, I rode it a few years back (Walna Scar, Dow Crag, OMC, Low Water) and thought it was ace. However I was up there this summer on foot and the top section looked daft. Need to go back and try it again with a bike

I'm up to sixtyish. I'll list my favourites and the ones that I didn't like-

Best

Old Man of Coniston (Walna Scar Rd > Dow Crag > Old Man > Low Water > Church Beck > Dixon Ground)

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Skiddaw via Ullock Pike

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Grisedale Pike is my all time favourite (Braithwaite>Force Crag Mine>Hopegill Head>Grisedale Pike>Sleet How)

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Whiteless Pike (any old way, mix it in with other stuff or do it on its own)

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Blencathra - both ways I've tried off this have been good

St Sunday Crag - a real belter if you descend from the summit to Grisedale Tarn, avoiding going up Fairfield.

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Worst

Red Pike/High Stile/High Crag - it's OK, but really it's a load of slabs and the descent from Scarth Gap isn't my cup of tea, and the climb is a lot of effort. Lovely spot though.

Wetherlam Edge - it's just grass. Really not worth the effort.

Yoke - as a descent, Yoke to the south isn't engaging enough. Best done heading north and round to Nan Bield.

Causey Pike- Good going to the west, but descending to the east involve a few climb downs and doesn't really go.

There are others I've done that I know won't be a lot of people's cup of tea (Thornthwaite Crag, Dale Head) but I enjoyed. I'm lucky in that most of the ones I've done have been good and rideable, but I do put in a lot of research first. I've only walked a couple - I'm not really into hiking.

A few descents from the ministry of the lesser known variety, a teaser.
Bowscale - a real surprise, head east just pure joy, beware of the very steep loose chute to finish.
Atkinson pike - drops straight from the summit into shale switchbacks, with a nice little qualifier into Mousethwaite Combe.
Skiddaw - via Birkett Edge a nice alternative.
Mellbreak - Vertical grass surfing leads into Get Knotted, slightly spoiled by a bog garden to finish.
Gavel - Under the Gavel, singletrack lovers will rejoice at this one.
Blake - Slowburner with some great switchbacks to finish on High Nooky.
Ard Crags - airy Ridge traverse, hike up past force moss to a real treat onwards to Buttermere.
Whiteside - Grin inducing flow in to a white knuckle ride.

@fergal - Ard Crags looks good. How techy is it? Assuming you're going from Buttermere, up the road to Rigg Beck, up the paths marked on the map then down to the road, up to the waterfall and back down to Buttermere?

Or do you climb along the path following Mill Beck, ford that then plough straight up the north side of the crags?

I'll agree that Atkinson Pike is very, very good too.

I think I'm up to 58 wainwright's by bike. I'm not really actively seeking them out, think I was a bit bored at work a few months ago and totted them up. I do<span style="font-size: 0.8rem;">n't think I've done any that I'd not do again in the right circumstances. </span>

In terms of off the beaten track..

Atkinson pike is good, then down on the North side of the glendermackin and back up to mousethwaite comb.

I really like causey pike, up to the shoulder between sail and scar crags (to top of the rigg beck descent). The scar crags descent is good fun upto causey, bit of a scramble down the first rocky bit of causey then really technical before going flat out.

Ard crags North (Aikin knott) is the steepest little descent I've done in ages, was tempted to divert onto rigg beck, but noticed there is a little fell runners trail off the end. Really really steep..

High snockrigg is fun and flowy, we did it on a dry evening so Buttermere moss wasnt too moist. Off Dale head and across Little Dale Edge. Worth a go for something different

Outerside, stile end and barrow also good fun, techy in places and a bit off the beaten track.

Hindscarth is great until the last bit which involves carrying bike down. Real shame as its great until the end.

@munrobiker Yep Mill beck approach to the col mainly rideable, short carry to Ard crags not overly technical, lots of ambience though, delightful from Snockrigg.

@Neb Outerside and Barrow are superb, have the same outlook just enjoy being in the hills with no intention of doing all the Wainwrights.

@thegeneralist Really enjoyed Red pike above Ambleside, an evening blast with my son as wingman (his nickname is Goose) we had fun.

@mark88 Red pike above Buttermere is the classic taking your bike for a walk! not really worth the effort imho.

Really enjoyed Red pikeScrees? above Ambleside,

FTFY?

Did a quick Google, which suggested a Red Pike at Buttdale but not at Ambleside.
Am I being useless?

My mistake Red Screes, to be fair was surprised at the amount of bog and grass present after previously watching a video, of course it only showed the good bits.

PS. To further confuse things there is another Red Pike above Wasdale!

Fairfield is an absolute banger. Quite possibly one of my favourites. Whiteless Pike and Grizedale Pike loop is also terrific. I would say Scafell Pike down the Corridor route would be a classic. I walked it with my daughter in 2019 and all at could think of on the way down was “this would go!” Only one awkward but small scramble part way through on the descent.

Quite fancy the path that heads north west off the back of Skiddaw. Looks fun and flowy.

High Street? Dear Lord, how can what is a very gradual descent feel like that it is mostly climbing?

Great thread this!

Cheers

Sanny

PS Greenup Edge was a lovely day out for me meaning that you could take in three Wainwrights on the way.

PPS Helm Crag. One side steep and tech, the other switchbacked flowing loveliness……

https://www.wiredforadventure.com/article/bikepacking-the-wainwrights/

This is a great wee read to inspire!

Cheers

Sanny

I would say Scafell Pike down the Corridor route would be a classic.

Interesting. I met some muppet in Wasdale this year who had attempted Scafell Pike on August BH. He got a third of the way up and got told off by a ranger. So he went down a bit, round, and up a different path. But the Ranger spotted him and cane running over again...

I'm all for access rights, but there's a time as well as a place 🙂

Fairfield is an absolute banger

Agreed. Is thd anticlockwise horseshoe any good, or mostly pushing?

This is a great wee read to inspire!

Inspire us not to steer well clear. On reading the title I thought " that sounds pretty shit"
Reading the article made me realise " that is indeed very shit"

Sorry, I reckon cycle touring is a great idea on the right terrain but carrying a loaded bike up and down the Wainrights sounds like purgatory 🙁

I recall watching the JennRiders come down from Styhead into Wasdale this year when I was walking up with the family. Can't recall the exact numbers but around 3 out of 20 of them was riding. The rest were all walking. Seemed like such a waste of an awesome descent.

I love techie riding and I have enjoyed the odd minor sufferfest, but carrying all that shit up and down hills ..... no way.

@sanny By NW off Skiddaw do you mean NE as this is the one mentioned above, really nice flow into Birketts edge, or did you mean the Wainwright route heading NE from the col between Skiddaw and Carlside, this is described as pathless to begin with in Wainwrights book on passes.

A really good loop on Fairfield is to Ascend ST Sunday Crag from Grisedale tarn, delightful singletrack from the summit leads down the ridge to the col below Copa pike, carry up this to Fairfield, then join the classic descent to Heron pike taking the right exit at a small cairn to Alcock tarn and swithchbacks galore.

Fairfield is brilliant. Im just debating tomorrow . Start in Keswick and spin up to Whinlatter to do the north then South loop with a carry up Grisedale and over Sail and Causey. Did it a few months back a bit of both kind of day.

Anyways for those who want a little more help mapping https://maps.walkingclub.org.uk/hills/2442/causey-pike 😉

@fergal

https://www.ascendancyapparel.com/blog/2018/1/28/skiddaw-mtb-epic-do-not-try-this-or-maybe-do

This is what I have been looking at but doing the climb as a descent.

Cheers

Sanny

Sanny fantastic looking adventure in winter conditions and well written!, reminded me of a minor epic a couple of winters ago on Skiddaw, Battling a whiteout with deep drifting snow on the upper mountain, the traverse below little Skiddaw to the gate was just banked out with drifting snow, we made it above the gate but visibility was down to a few feet, the path obliterated, amazing to think we were so close to Keswick pushing bikes like a couple of arctic explorers we turned around metres from the summit, Conrad was pretty oblivious to our predicament it would be dark in an hour, lower down the mountain descending icy trails we whooped with joy as the sun set.

St Sunday Crag down to Ullswater is also a very worthy trail. I did it with my mate Pete and the wind was so fierce at the summit, we were blown around 180 degrees and slid towards the edge despite our brakes being locked up. It was a cracking day out though……..

Cheers

Sanny

https://www.mudandroutes.com/hill_list/wainwrights/

Here is another good resource for planning adventures…..

I rode Dale Head, High Spy, Maiden Moor and Cat Bells a few years back after coming over Styhead Tarn as a point to point from Ambleside to Keswick. It was mint.

One of my first ever adventures in the Lakes on my first gen Santa Cruz Heckler was a loop of Cat Bell to what was either Hindscarth or Robinson. I think it was the former. It was a great September bank holiday day and super quiet. Lots of carrying though so an acquired taste.

As a bagging day that is also awesome, you can start with the steep carry up Causey Pike then head via Scar Crags to Crag Hill via Sail (the steep switchbacks are all rideable), out and back to Grassmoor, down Whiteless Pike, knock out Rannerdale Knotts as a quick out and back before a steep but short carry onto Whiteside (Gasgale Gill is an option but I am not sure how washed out it is these days), Hopegill Head then Grizedale Pike to finish.

A variant that is probably easier with less carrying at the start is to begin at Braithwaite and take in Barrow and Outerside before taking the track up High Moss and doing Causey Pike as an out and back. I make that a lucky 13 summits. It is actually a bloody great day out too which is the whole point, after all.

Planning on doing it again in the next couple of weeks if the weather is kind.

@fergal

Apologies. I meant North East to follow the track in this link that Joanna did in reverse and carried up. Doh!

Cheers

Sanny

Has anyone ridden Kentmere Pike in either direction? It looks like there is some high level riding for a good distance. Actually, how about the Kentmere Horseshoe? And in which direction?

Also, is there any love for a traverse of Grey Knotts, Brandreth, Green Gable and Great Gable to finish with the Styhead Tarn descent of much loveliness?

Cheers

Sanny

Has anyone ridden Kentmere Pike in either direction?

Done it once, heading over Harter Fell from the top of Gatescarth (not much fun getting up there). Was going to head down to Nan Bield but saw bike tracks heading south down the ridge and thought I'd give it a go.

Anyway, it was a lot of fun - easy angled blast from Harter Fell, easy riding over Kentmere Pike and a fast peaty blast down, with some drop offs into channels in the peat in places. It had been bone dry for ages when I did it and I'd not go near it right now as it feels more like dales than lakes riding, until you get to the drop down to Stile End where the path splits and gets hard to follow, though I managed to find a ridable way down.

I see I missed the point a little bit with my first reply to the OP, jumped to the conclusion that you weren't talking about bagging them all.

This is turning into a very useful thread though! Will be back for riding ideas once I've finished bagging the final few on foot in the next couple of weeks. Did Skiddaw and all the Wainwrights on the massif, plus Great Calva on the bike last Friday. Ullock Pike classic as ever.

Old Man of Coniston (Walna Scar Rd > Dow Crag > Old Man > Low Water > Church Beck > Dixon Ground)

Can you confirm the exact route for the last two bits? I assume you descend the tourist path from OMC to the crossroad at Crowberry Hawes and then go straight on?
Which goes east and then south east onto the right bank of Church Beck

'Zat right?

There's a slight chance I might be trying this on Friday 11/11. If anyone is free then please shout.

Hi thenorthwind the OP has no intention of doing all the Wainwrights! only the rideable very Alpinesque descents to die for!! Good effort getting out on the tops on friday a long awaited small window, opted for gravel & tarmac in the end.

Yeah, I got that when I read your post properly!
Cheers, it was a proper weather window in an otherwise very mixed week... Got up at 5 to make it over. Perfect temperature inversion in Borrowdale at sunrise.

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45 minutes later and the cloud was coming in:
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An hour after that first pic, normal service resumed:
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Has anyone done any of the descents off Great Gable, Pillar or Yewbarrow? The contour lines look favourable…….

Cheers

Sanny

In fact, just looking at the Mosedale Horseshoe appears to promise some spectacular views if done in an anti clockwise direction. I reckon from Red Pike down could be lovely but would love to hear from anyone who has done it?

Hi Sanny had plans to do Pillar down to Black Sail pass as this would make a logical extension down to Wasdale, it looks great on the map in reality most of the ridge is blocky with loads of boulder chokes. To do the Mosedale horseshoe anti clockwise would be mainly carrying all the way round to Scoat fell, Red Pike may well offer a reasonable descent, would probably be best in isolation though.

PS. Yewbarrow is a scramble and very steep, only descent possible would be from the col between Red pike & yewbarrow down to the right, haven't been down this, if coming off the pike this is the only way down.

as this has bobbed back up again meant to answer

Actually, how about the Kentmere Horseshoe? And in which direction?

Gets ridden a lot in both directions, though usually missing out the Kentmere Pike ridge (see above). The descent from Nan Bield is a classic which is why I'd favour clockwise personally.

The last two, three times I've done it from Staverly I've taken the road up from Ings then track past Dubbs reservoir, to get to the top of Garburn from the Troutbeck side which is 100% ridable and I think the easiest way up. Great feeling of riding into the hills. Then the ridge, and when it gets to High Street the decision to plod on to the top or contour the top of Kentmere to Mardale Ill Bell. Both worth doing. The descent to Nan Bield I've yet to 100% clean, and to be honest I've never 100% cleaned the hairpins either though they're what folks go up there for. Then if time's short, road back past Kentmere, but much better is the easy climb up and over Stile End to the Cocklaw bw, fork right to Birk Rigg then fork left to the fun plantation descent. All gets ridden a lot as I say.

looking back to yoke I think:

halfway down the fast bit of nan bield

and to be honest I’ve never 100% cleaned the hairpins either though they’re what folks go up there for.

Anyone else think they've done work on the hairpins recently?

We did them in spring and they seemed much easier. In particular that thin diagonal rock that kicks the frontwheel on one of the sharp lefthanders was gone....

much better is the easy climb up and over Stile End to the Cocklaw bw, fork right to Birk Rigg then fork left to the fun plantation descen

Am thinking that'll be very damp at present. No?

Yeah, Nan Bield has seen some work recently (in the last year or so). However, it's one of the rare instances that what's been done has actually improved things without taking away from the character of the existing descent!

Trying to decide for tomorrow. Coming from Manc, so gotta be southside... but nearly all the thread recommendations are northside.

Walna,Dow,OmC is one option. Don't think the tourist path will be toooo busy just before dusk in November will it?

Fairfield anticlockwise with the mellower descent by Alcock Tarn looks nice. Still no input from anyone on that initial Eastern climb up from Amblesude. Anyone?

Doesn't seem to be much love for Kentmere Pike in these soggy conditions, and I've done the Garburn to NanBield bit recently, so want something newish.

Someone said Wetherlam is a bit grassy plodder...

Any other recommendations on south side ?

Anyone else think they’ve done work on the hairpins recently?

Trying to think now when I last did it. Could have been as long ago as some time last winter on a day when bikes were being blown horizontal, so if I'm out of date, great.

Cocklaw bw, fork right to Birk Rigg then fork left to the fun plantation descen

Am thinking that’ll be very damp at present. No?

The middle bit i guess. I'm based in Ilkley and used to riding sludge half the year.

Sunday funday

Keswick 8.30am
North and South Whinlatter.. up Grisedale pike and off Sail and Causey back to the car and a face full of food .. Defo a bit of both day. Id be Interested to here how Rigg Beck is at the moment ? my betting is a river / slopfest

Rigg Beck is the same as Nan Bield - even in the middle of a drought it'll be wet. I've never found it to be a slop fest though - it always drains reasonably well except for a couple of minor sections towards the bottom.

@thegeneralist - Are you talking about the climb up to Sweden Bridge? Done it a couple of times - it's not too bad, definitely worth doing if you've not done it before. And from what I've heard, Kentmere Pike isn't a patch on Harter Fell and Nan Bield so I wouldn't bother at the mo

Are you talking about the climb up to Sweden Bridge?

Pretty much. Not sure if I'd go to the bridge then cut West, or just go straight up the ridge?
Then onto Low Pike and round the horseshoe.

Sunday funday

Keswick 8.30am

Part of me is trying to work out if this is a statement or an invitation 😉

@thegeneralist Don't think there is much to be gained by doing the Horseshoe on Fairfield, certainly scenic on a nice day, but didn't take you as a rambler with a bicycle as an accessory. A lot of pushing/carrying to the top of Fairfield on that round.

Nonsense! The fairfield horseshoe is a cracker! I think I prefer it clockwise, but both ways are good

Saturday clockwise, Sunday anticlockwise 🙂

Well if @thegeneralist does it i would love to here his opinion, my ratio of riding to carrying is obviously greater than yours, it's a great walk though and a bit of a slog* imho.

*with family

PS. The wet bit on Rigg beck has always been in the top half when i've done it, great to see the local art of sandbagging is still going strong!.

True - rigg beck is usually a small stream at the top, then starts to dry out after the step with a few larger puddles/muddy bits as you get closer to the road

As for Fairfield, if doing it clockwise then more of the climb is rideable, although there are a few sections you have to carry down on the eastern ridge once you start descending. Doing it anti clockwise then the climb from Sweden Bridge becomes a carry after a while, but all of the western ridge is rideable as a descent, whether you head via Alcock tarn or carry on down the ridge all the way to Rydal.

not entirely sure what the “local art of sandbagging” is, so you’ll have to enlighten me there. Sounds like the dubious third album from an Oxford indie band in the mid 90’s

A loosly based statement on the hopes I can get jobs done 🙂 then it will be Keswick 8.30 ish am 🙂

Brief review of two of the suggested 'more esoteric' (or lesser ridden) descents from today.

Atkinson Pike into north of glendermackin. A bit loose at the top, but not super interesting. Nothing really technical (couldn't find that rock slab in the photo). 1/5 stars. 2/5 chillies. Not worth the push, probably more fun to ride back down Blease fell or then tourist path.

Doddick Fell. Starts with photogenic, sinuous Singletrack on the ridge-side, then drops into more varied rocky tech and switchback after switchback. Some loose, mostly good bedrock. Consistently steep. A few fantastic stopper moves. Very, very good. 4/5 stars, 3-4/5 chillies. Must do.

Oooh yeah, Doddick is one of all time my favourites!

Having ridden the Fairfield horseshoe today, I'm going to say it once and for all. Anti clockwise is better than clockwise. There, I've said it. The climb up the western ridge is nicer, but the descent is also better. Too stop/starty in the middle over on the eastern ridge. Still an absolutely class day mind you

So....

Old Man of Coniston (Walna Scar Rd > Dow Crag > Old Man > Low Water > Church Beck > Dixon Ground)

Hmmmm. Did this on Saturday and I'm afraid it falls into the never again category ( or at least not as described)

I ****ed up on the bike maintenance front and my rear brake was pulling all the way to the handlebar. It did firm up after 20 or so pumps but would fade again within seconds of the lever being released. This led to some terrifying moments on Dow Crag on the up and down sections where I forgot to preload. Apart from that it was cloudy and damp and we never really found a rideable trail off Dow.

Top of the Old Man was heaving and we had serious misgivings about the tourist path. In the end we started down it with the bail out option of heading sharp right after the first bit.

Long story short, it was too hard, way too hard. I could have ridden more if I'd been more in the zone, and it wasn't damp, but the top bit looks utterly impossible on any sort of bike that you'd ride up Walna on. As ever, we didn't take many photos of the top walkie bits but this gives an idea of the easiest bit that we walked further down. (The top is much steeper)
https://flic.kr/p/2nZgcD8
The angle does decrease loads as you descend and so becomes more rideable. There were some great sections.
https://flic.kr/p/2nZj4wC
.
https://flic.kr/p/2nZgcNM

The bit across to Church Beck was really good, and the path on river right takes you to Coniston pretty easily.

I'd love to see someone good try the top section. I know I could ride more of it if I was in the zone, but still not enough to make it worthwhile.

My viewpoint on Blencathra ( with Conti)

Push/Carry/ride up the west side. Gain a fair amount of height on the road, and a bit of riding on the path. Quite a civilised way to get up a big hill.
Lovely rideable ridge on top.
https://flic.kr/p/2nZgADG
Easy across to Atkinson Pike
https://flic.kr/p/2nZi6ne
The descent from here was loads of fun. Top bit was sharp turns on scree,
https://flic.kr/p/2nZj2o4
then a bit flatter
https://flic.kr/p/2nZj2MA

I enjoyed it as a nice mellow ride, bit if you were after gnarr then you'd be disappointed. As Conti said no idea where the rocky slab photo was taken.
Nice mellow runout along Glendmaclinn (sp) River. Then a climb back up to col then back up Scales Fell for the main course ( stopping to take a photo of some young dudes on the voie normale
https://flic.kr/p/2nZiAvk
So Doddick Fell.... wow. Utterly terrifying. The start traverse is lovely though you wouldn't want to fall left, then some nice stuff down the ridge which varies between hard and bloody impossible.
https://flic.kr/p/2nZj1u5.
.
https://flic.kr/p/2nZhBdU
I bottled big chunks of it, but still did enough to generate adrenaline overload
https://flic.kr/p/2nZjg7y
.
There were occasional easy bits.
https://flic.kr/p/2nZjgus
But mainly not 🙂
https://flic.kr/p/2nZigTz
On and on
https://flic.kr/p/2nZgaav
.
https://flic.kr/p/2nZj1fc

I was still riding in this odd skiddy manner as I had to keep pulling and letting go of the brakes just to keep them pumped. But since it was all downhill I luckily didn't get out of the habit and have a nasty accident

Anyway, yes, Doddick.... looking forward to going back and having another go.

And also thinking my suggestion of going for a ride with Bieber may have been misplaced. Judging by your enthusiasm für Doddick I've concluded you're a helluva better rider than me.

Did you ride most, some nearly all! of it?

Ha. Still need to make that ride happen I reckon! There's one left hander into a bit of a drop that I've never managed to make on Doddick, but I've seen others do, and there are other bits I can get if I'm having a good day. It's only a few short sections though, and I've seen riders clear all of it so I know it's all doable. I do tend to go out with fully working brakes mind you - I couldn't imagine doing any of the steep Lakes tech with marginal brakes.

As for the elusive rocky slab photo - that was taken on Doddick. Specifically one of the trickier bits.

Some cracking pics above . I added a few here https://singletrackmag.com/forum/topic/weekend-ride-pics-2/ of my more sedate Grisedale round after a play in Whinlatter .
No images of Crag Hill down the Scar to the top of Sail was interesting with a side wind and no room for error to the right. And the last run down Stoneycroft gill was like a boulder field. Well worth it though.

@justinbieber

Recognise the photo now - that was one of the more ridable bits! Only one bit I regret walking; and that was a tight V shaped rock chute. Runout was fine, just one of those where you lose pace, stop, and then get stuck trying to clip in and track stand into a bit of difficult tech. One for flat pedals and a sunny day!

That and a couple of stupid tight hairpins lower down I literally just couldn't fit my bloody bike in!

Fantastic weather at the weekend Doddick looks so inviting! Blencathra is one of my favorite local hills was up there yesterday, have to admit was a little disappointed when i did Atkinson pike a couple of weeks ago thought i was just having an off day, the first bit gets you into the mood then it's very forgettable, the trail into Mousthwaite combe from the col is always fun though. Its not one i would repeat, perhaps it's better to continue over Bannerdale.
To be honest the two voie normales, Scale & Blease fell are fantastic fast flowy descents and very popular with locals for a quick blast, nothing technical but like Alpine blues with switchbacks and singletrack galore with views to die for.
As for Doddick it amazes me that a few of the hardcore locals can get down most of this, i just can't see it, way above my pay grade.

Any love for Robinson down into Buttermere?

Also how about a loop of Robinson then heading onto Hindscarth to drop down to Newlands Church? Looks tempting!

Doddick Fell just added to the list. Looks like one for the ultimate traction benefits of my Surly fat bike. It may not be light but it is my weapon of choice when things get steep and rocky.

Cheers

Sanny

https://www.andrewswalks.co.uk/robinson-2.html

This is the Hindscarth route I am contemplating…….

@sanny

If you can get down doddick on a rigid steep fat bike - much respect.

@continuity

it is a Surly Ice Cream Truck with suspension forks and Jones bars. It is actually way more capable than you might think………

@sanny

I'd say it was a step up from: ullock, wharnside, Birk side, dollywagon or nan Bield. If you've cleaned those without trying on it give it a go mate! Enjoy!

@continuity

Not expecting to clean it judging by the pics but hopefully will have lots of fun trying it!

Judging by this weekends recent snowfall on the northern fells, I'd be tempted to say that's Doddick out of action until the new year.

Has anyone ridden down the Blease Fell track off of Blencathra? Looks fast and flowy but not remotely technical. Also like the look of Bannerdale Crags and down the Tongue into Mugrisedale.

Re Red Pike. Any experience of riding down via Bleaberry Tarn. I remember riding past the red scree slope and thinking the fat bike would be the bike of choice for maximum slow speed grip. Or is it a carry down and then a million steps of despair?

Cheers

Sanny