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The Lakes epitomises everything great about mountain biking for me, please inspire with photos of derring do and suggestions of the best tours and descents....... follow every rainbow, 'til you find your dream!
Tour of coniston finnishing off with one of the best decents in the lakes,walna scar.
It's on the to do list for this year, which is the best way to get to the Walna scar rode from Coniston.
[url= http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2493/3790119560_680f005c68_z.jp g" target="_blank">
[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/leecollis/3790119560/ ]Lakes July 09[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/leecollis/ ]Lee Collis[/url], on Flickr
[url= http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2542/3789313863_e595c4c9f8.jp g" target="_blank">
[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/leecollis/3789313863/ ]Lakes July 09[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/leecollis/ ]Lee Collis[/url], on Flickr
Best way up to Walna Scar Road is to climb up from Seathwaite [url= http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?x=324110&y=496827&z=120&sv=324110,496827&st=4&ar=y&mapp=map.srf&searchp=ids.srf&dn=857&ax=324110&ay=496827&lm=0 ]here[/url]
Absolute pig of a climb though.
You can also come up from Jackson Ground [url= http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?x=324700&y=496009&z=120&sv=324700,496009&st=4&ar=y&mapp=map.srf&searchp=ids.srf&dn=857&ax=324700&ay=496009&lm=0 ]on this track here[/url] but that is MUCH better as a descent.
Itis up hill opp the pier turning with a car park at the bottom of t the scar. We tend to loop Consiton firt then do walna last to end at the car park. Long long ride though and the last climb is a killer.
Enjoy the jump in the middle!!
We come up the trail ^^^^ said is best as a downhill from seathwaite is a killer climb and looks very impossing then you need to get back there as well
If you just want to do walna scar i would suggest setting off from torver,up onto broughton moor,stephenson ground,cracking decent down to seathwaite followed by a long climb up to the top of walna scar.then it's downhill all the way 😀
Heading up Black Combe last month...
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At top...
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On way back down...
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Dick Turpin riding an Orange Five to top of Crag Fell...
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Yep, Gods own Backyard.
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Is that Mr Wier there?!
Is that Mr Wier there?!
Certainly is. He always puts me up when I'm oop north.
🙂
High Street October 2010:
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Not done all that much Lakes riding. Hopefully I can get lots more in this year.
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Kind of duff pics, but the riding was incredible. Straight up Nan Bield, then down the way we came.
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Windy on top.
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The pictures don't do the radness justice. This bit was incredibly rad. To the max.
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I'll take a full susser myself next time...
Freeridenick top draw, incredible set of pics, my forensic department are trying to come up with locations, so far:
Nan Bield
Ullock
Loughrig Terrace
Lowerman
Rosset gill, could you please explain how, with panache or with a lot of pain, do you ride short sections to get them wired or assault the whole thing? pretty full on either way.
Causey pike?
Anyone for any more.
Ckakaping brrr...good to see we are not all fair weather ninja's.
Blackcombe not sure where that is.
Causey pike?
Causey Pike's fun but it's [i]more [/i]fun taking in the whole of the Coledale Horseshoe. Lots of options up and down, good clockwise or anti-clockwise.
Can't see causey in nick's set, Blencathra, bowdale hause or warnscale bottom, perhaps. Not sure which piccy you mean. Blackcombs near millom duddon est, south coast cumbria.
Yeah sorry wasn't sure whether Causey pike was in there, yep just clocked Blencathra at the end, is that the voi normal.
Parkedtiger sorry to dig but what is the best descent off Causey there are a few options.
If you just want to do walna scar i would suggest setting off from torver,up onto broughton moor,stephenson ground,cracking decent down to seathwaite followed by a long climb up to the top of walna scar.then it's downhill all the way
Yep, that's the way we do it. Get a nice mix of singletrack and rocky trails on that loop. Most (if not all) is rideable as well - I can't ride up the back of Walna but it is possible; I'm just lazy.
Off the front after a wee scramble off Causey top there isn't really any other viable option. The options he's on about are the various descents on the Coledale horseshoe. Causeys a bit of a straight up and down affair, doesn't take long.
all sorts in there
Skiddaw
Blencathra
Stake Pass
Black sail pass
Helvellyn
Warnscale bottom
Boredale Hause
Rosset is proper hard and scary 😯
Attack and hope for the best!
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Bliss
Search high and low....superb, showing my ignorance again, Black sail down to Wasdale purchance?
A couple from High Street
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and one on Parkamoor
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EDIT - is it just me, or do none of these images work? Anyone else having problems sharing photos from Flickr?
Not working.
DavidM is that one ride or many, got to be Black sail?
To any Lakes regulars if you were doing Whiteless Pike then cutting up to Sail pass, which descent would you take, along ridge to Causey pike or down Rigg Beck?
A few different rides in there Fergal. In ascending order its Walna Scar, Stake Pass, Honister, Dropping down to Sty Head and the gnarlier of the two Patterdale - Howtown trails.
[url= http://prettysweetmtb.blogspot.com/search/label/Lakes ]More Lakes based nonsense here for anyone who is interested[/url]
Fergal - Black Combe is quite a steep push/ride up (more than an hour) and then five mins or so bombing back down, not technical but great fun - and no gates.
Stopadoodledoo - I might be wrong but I think I had a chat about the Lakes with you in Aston Hill car park last year.
Do I win?
[url= http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2686/4337678551_63925f52b0.jp g" target="_blank">
[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/25655510@N02/4337678551/ ]Feb 7th - Lakeland Cloud Inversion[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/25655510@N02/ ]Johnclimber[/url], on Flickr
JC I see your cloud inversion and raise you 2 more.........
Helvellyn
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and Howgills
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OOh and a cheeky Tuesday night sunset to finish off!
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clareymorris FWORR! 🙂
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Sorry guys but i'm determined to keep my theme going...follow every byway, every path you know..climb..
Quite a juxtaposition there David, good skills!
Here`s a few of my offerings......
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Here`s Clarymorris!!!!
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Ford every stream......
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Fancy dress snowball fight 😆
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And following on from CM`s post..a couple of sunsetty ones...
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😛
I was just going to comment on how lucky we are living up here - but actually I chose to move here so luck has nothing to do with it 😀
BTW Andy that b+w one of you is ace!
It`s a pleasure living here and what a playground we have eh?
Pic of me C/O Gav..... 😛
Didn't feel that lucky out tonight mind..... Roll on spring! Bored of getting soaked 😕
On a very dark day for me your pics have made me smile. HB Clarey!
anc could you solve my dilema regarding rigg beck or Causey pike as descent options in that direction, Which is best, appreciated.
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Thank you Lowey and hope you are OK x
Off the front to Rowling end is the techy steep option. Rigg beck whilst fun isn't all that techy apart from the odd steep bit. Good fun though and some cracking singletrack in places. We use the stoneycroft track as access up its 90% rideable then go onto causey from the col between Sail and Scar crags.
...and if you're coming up Whiteless Pike (which is a great descent by the way), it'd be better to head left, down towards Sand Hill, then up and over Grisdale Pike. Then you've got a choice of descents: Hobcarton, Sleet How, Whinlatter via the south loop. Stoneycroft's a fun descent too, or cut left part way down and head over Barrow. All very cheeky though.
Rowling End is fun in a 'I can say I've done it now!' kinda way, but it's not rideable in too many places for it to compete with the other path to the left that ends up at the same place. anc - the route up you describe, I've always turned left before the Col and short-cutted having to come over Scar Craggs.
While I have you, what's going on on Sail? I was on Knott Rigg in October and it looked like they were making that climb rideable for me?
Also, I'm around the week after Easter, so make sure you chaps have some decent rides planned!
Cheers
Up whiteless pike!! just seen that fergal. Shudders 😐 ..... That's definately a down, i'd get your height other more rideable ways. Best routes onto Coledale area would be either top of the south of whinlatter onto grisdale Pike, Stoneycroft then the zigzags onto sail or straight up from the mines to Coledale Hause. Going up gasgale gill used to be another good rideable option but its a bit ****ed since the floods. Of all the descents in that area Whiteless is my fave, but definately not a easy option up i'd give it a miss, unless of course you like carrying.
Hia Paul, yes I ment just towards Rowling end as fergal asked which direction Rowling or Rigg, we also turn left at the col. Rowling end's to dodgy in places so you've got to get off. Yes its zigzaged up Sail and can be ridden if you've got the legs(scree is gone), although it's so wet up here at the moment I'm guessing it will be way too soggy to get up at present. Needs time to bed down again or freeze up.
chakaping - Member
Stopadoodledoo - I might be wrong but I think I had a chat about the Lakes with you in Aston Hill car park last year
Yep, that would have been me. Hi.
For those of you who still live up there, you should think yourselves very, very lucky. I moved away down South years ago (work reasons) and still miss Cumbria every day of my life.
FreerideNick - nice pics - what camera do you use?
its zigzaged up Sail
It's a fun descent with your third brake down (ie foot) for the sharp turns - but not as good as it used to be.
I've never ridden off Sail towards Causey, but always thought it would be a bit dull, very straight and very fast. Mind you from my memory of it I can't see why it would have needed repairing, so perhaps I've misremembered it.
I like the run from Coledale Hause into Coledale at the top because the artificial zig zags are great for practising Scandinavian Flicks, so might have a look at Sail as it should be similar now.
Have you done Gamling End down to Scarth Gap, always fancied a run at that, but can't work out if it's like that Barrow Scree run but 10 times the length (ie certain death rather than just probable death)
Cheers
Have you done Gamling End down to Scarth Gap,
Nope, but I'll add it to the list ! Always fancied that run off Red Pike down to Buttermere but have never got around to it.
like that Barrow Scree run but 10 times the length (ie certain death rather than just probable death)
Just grit your teeth and hold on tight - you were the only one who managed to stay upright that night, I'm sure you'll be fine 😀
I landed on my back at the bottom, then the bike landed on my chest, I wasn't in control at all, I was just going too fast to do anything other than hang on and hope for the best! But yeah, I guess it probably looked good from the bottom.
Let me know about Gamlin End, if I read about it in the Times and Star, I'll know to give it a miss!
Oh yeah, what's Rigg Beck like down to Buttermere?
Its a good bit of singletrack steep and narrow in places nothing to taxing, its good up as well.
anc crossed wires i meant up Whitless pike from the Grizedale side, do the descent of Whiteless then cut left and up to sail then down Causey pike or Rig Beck, asking cos i'm a tourist that needs to make my rides count!.
couldn't resist this, one of my favourites halcyon days.
Whiteless Pike - a belter combined with an ascent via the singletrack in Newlands Valley.
Ullock Pike - magic but cheeky.
Fairfield Horseshoe - rode and carried up into the saddle from Grasmere in the snow then followed the main path down. Lots of ice and snow but a cracking descent.
Nan Bield down to the bottom of Gategarth then climb up Gatesgarth then onto the cheeky trail to retrun via Nan Bield.
Great thread BTW. The Lakes are indeed the place to go to ride. I've not explored the southern side of Buttermere but it's on the list for the Spring.
I hear Red Screes above Ambleside is pretty good but I've not ridden it yet.
Cheers
Sanny
I have really enjoyed this thread Sanny, thanks for all the contributions so far...i may be flogging a dead horse but..
Has anyone done the tour of Great Gable over the four passes sounds epic, can't wait to get to grips with the down off Black Sail pass, high on the list for summer, any experiences, pics.
I think my friend Graeme (Graeme Jones) did it last year and posted pics on this very site.
I think Gav(Gas) did a couple of times last Summer fergal - he's usually online more in the evenings.
Fergal, I reckon their was a bit in the mag that featured that route not so long ago, mag number 58 I believe.
In short though, it's ace
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Arrh god I miss riding in the lakes 🙁 but will be back for easter 🙂 some great pics on here too!
Fergal - great clip and loved the tune!
Now my ride back out of london.. pants...
High street down to Troutbeck,
also i really like the Howgills from the calf down Arant Haw to Winder
I know there are better decents in terms of pure terrain but this one was special because of when as much as where. Dropping off High Street at dawn last summer solstice, riding into the sun.
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Nice day in the lakes today, actually felt like spring had arrived. Clear blue skies, made for a great night ride tonite. Anyway a few pics...
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Fergal, which four passes does the tour of Great Gable take in? I have done from Seathwaite / Honister / Butermere / Scarthgap / enerdale / Blacksaill / Wasdale head up and over to styhead tarn and back down to Seathwaite. Its got some really good decents but a lot of push carrying. There are probably better ways / routes to do, however still glad i did it!
[url= http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4144/5175227513_4be3809096.jp g" target="_blank">
[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/dave-lowe/5175227513/ ]IMAG0023[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/dave-lowe/ ]lowey.com[/url], on Flickr
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[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/dave-lowe/4963381266/ ]IMAG0238[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/dave-lowe/ ]lowey.com[/url], on Flickr
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[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/dave-lowe/4691448824/ ]IMAG0402[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/dave-lowe/ ]lowey.com[/url], on Flickr
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[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/dave-lowe/4691480868/ ]IMAG0434[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/dave-lowe/ ]lowey.com[/url], on Flickr
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[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/dave-lowe/4674889885/ ]DSC03811[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/dave-lowe/ ]lowey.com[/url], on Flickr
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[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/dave-lowe/4005894841/ ]DSC01587[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/dave-lowe/ ]lowey.com[/url], on Flickr
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[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/dave-lowe/4005900121/ ]DSC01589[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/dave-lowe/ ]lowey.com[/url], on Flickr
Red Screes?
Have you got an actual death wish?
I walked up in the summer, I think you could ride a fair bit of it, but some bits are pretty much cliff. What you can ride would be no better than OK I reckon. There isnt a good way of making it into a loop either, everything past there is a slog.
5 passes did someone say?............
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Lowey some pretty buff looking singletrack there and guess what i ain't
got a clue as to where, feeling sheepish now as the nice folks of this forum have allowed me to glean so much info 🙄
Clareymorris Worth the blood sweat and tears i'm sure, or is it really not so bad.
Fergal it is a hard day out but worth EVERY SINGLE DROP OF SWEAT 😀
Loving that route Clare... was going to do it last year but throw in the Mickleden valley by Rosset Ghyll with a bivy at Sprinkling Tarn but never managed to get the time. Itson this years list!
Fergal... Top to Bottom
Top of Scots Rake looking back to Ill Bell and Froswick
Ascending Boredale
Barrow Door to Sail.
Rigg Beck to Newlands
Unspeakable sexual acts with the Grizedale Fox (the minx)
Parkamoor to Nibthwaite
Blawith Fells.
The lakes is just simply sublime for riding, and if you adopt a cheeky attitude to the place like some here, you could spend your whole life riding there.
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round the back of Skiddaw
Heading back up to the Lakes at Easter 🙂
Been rummaging through some old paper pics tonight and found one of us trying to get down the Coniston old Man Tourist track to Lowes Water and it jogged a memory. Anyone had a bash at this descent recently ? Mega Cheeky I know, maybe a weekday or summer evening. I think it was probably 88 when I tried it and cant really remember having people problems, just riding problems!!