[Closed] Why all the trail condition posts.

But there isn't snow everywhere, and riding through half a metre of thawing slush isn't possible.

Thats why people ask.

Not sure if you're trolling here but a bit of snow is one thing. Pushing your bike through 5ft drifts for hours on end to get to a descent covered in ice is another.

30 foot drifts on my local trails around the forest so not much fun on the bike 😀

With grum

Im not sure what trolling is but il try anything once.
Descents covered in ice sound like fun - going to the lakes after work - Il see if i can find some!

I'd find out which ones are worth riding before you set off. A post on here should do it.

:swoon:

I'm not too bad at riding techy stuff in the Lakes but I'd still rather not ride down a steep river of ice personally. Or trudge through deep snowdrifts.

I presume you'll be going up Helvellyn or Skiddaw on your bike and not sticking to lower level routes then? Otherwise you'd be adapting to conditions and that's for wimps.

I saw in another thread you've never been to the Lakes biking before. Fancy riding this?

[img] [/img]

Descents covered in ice sound like fun - going to the lakes after work - Il see if i can find some!

2 kinds of snow, the right and the wrong kind, generally when riding you find the wrong kind.

Descended Latrigg into Keswick with a set of Wet Screams on at night was awesome, did it a few days later in minions after all the walkers had trudged the snow into ice and it was lethal. Carried far to far through random drifts for it to be fun. Rode the groomed mega stuff and it was awesome.

That is why people are asking for reports.

OK - here's a tip - Its possible to ride down most stuff in snow as long as its fairly steep - but not up - so for best results.........

Find somewhere where you can ride up a road to the top and down reasonably steep, not too technical, well-trodden trails to the bottom.

Malvern Hills are superb for this - I went the other day and rode 95% of the way to the very top of the beacon (easily) - stick to the bridle ways coming down - they are like pisted ski runs after all the tourist footfall. Repeat the same climb - try different descents. It’s an absolute blast.

OK - here's a tip - Its possible to ride down most stuff in snow as long as its fairly steep - but not up - so for best results.........

Find somewhere where you can ride up a road to the top and down reasonably steep, not too technical, well-trodden trails to the bottom.

they are like pisted ski runs after all the tourist footfall.

If that is a recent photo Grum, why waste time on a bike? Climb the central gully between the two obvious buttresses - can't remember the name but grade 1/2 depending on conditions. Perfectly solo-able and great finish (through the cornice?) to emerge in front of surprised walkers having the lunch at the top. Then ski down the more open East face using abseil if required of the trig point. The perfect Winter adventure. I have only done the first bit (!) but wished I had skies to do the second.

Very odd OP - conditions are very varied across the UK. Why not check on forum for people with the same interests?

Here's a tip. The hills in the Lakes are a bit bigger and more serious than the Malverns, especially in current conditions. How are your navigation skills btw?

Edit: yup, from yesterday THM, and I entirely agree. I've only done the first bit too.

GRUM

That photo looks great - thanks I cant wait - Reminds of Megavelanche.
Il take some pics of the adventure and you can look at them while drinking your Horlix

🙂

Lol, I've been up those hills in full winter condition, and done the Megavalanche thanks. You're awfully cocky for someone who's never even ridden in the Lakes before. Might be best to give mountain rescue some advanced notice. At least have a read of this.

http://www.lakedistrictweatherline.co.uk/

Actually I think I'll go back to my original assessment of troll.

what [s]troll[/s] tyre for snow?

Im not going up that particular mountain you doylem. I spent most of this week researching good routes to try. Plottded routes - bought maps. I have been to the lakes many times just not on a bike.

Why am even bothering to tell you all this anyway - nuff talk - time to go riding.

I dont get it - there is snow everywhere

There isn't though, that's the point. Near me there are plenty of roads and trails without any snow at all.
There are other roads and trails that are completely impassable. Sometimes within half a mile of each other depending on where the snow has drifted.

Not unreasonable to ask on here what conditions are like before driving for 2hrs and finding that the route you had in mind is nothing more than a trudge through 4ft drifts or the road to get to the car park is sheet ice.

Im not going up that particular mountain you doylem. I spent most of this week researching good routes to try.

Whyever not? What kind of research? Did it include research about conditions? 🙄

I spent most of this week researching good routes to try. Plottded routes - bought maps. I have been to the lakes many times just not on a bike.

I assume your many visits have told you that the weather in those parts is very variable and the snow levels and falls are fairly unpredictable. Even to the point where the guy in the lakes I would call was posting for some more advice.
Lived there off and on for 5 years - I'd be asking for advice for 1 valley over..

Cor I have lots of friends on this post dont I - lol
The sense of adventure is awe inspiring 🙂
Really in the spirit of the sport.

Id just like to point out I will be in England in April - Im not contemplating the North face of the Eiger in January.

So please worry yourselves not - there will be no need for mountain rescue - I would be too embarrassed to call them.

can't remember the name but grade 1/2 depending on conditions.

So please worry yourselves not - there will be no need for mountain rescue - I would be too embarrassed to call them.

Lol not worried but would suggest shelving pride if required. I have just had some epic walks with bikes due to condition so generally would rather avoid and do something more appropriate like a nice ridge or gully or avoid sitting in a long queue due to road closures.

I booked the campsite 2 months ago so no option but to make the best of it!

Id just like to point out I will be in England in April - Im not contemplating the North face of the Eiger in January.

Lost of people perfectly capable of tackling the high Lake District fells in current conditions - it's just from your posts on here you don't sound like one of them. 😉

Snow! that was last week. This week its....[img] [/img]

ndthornton - Member
I booked the campsite 2 months ago so no option but to make the best of it!

Have you checked that the campsite is open in the current conditions..?

Have you checked that the campsite is open in the current conditions..?

I think you should come out and play GRUMP. We can have a race to the top!

Goggles on, chocks away, last one back's a loser. Hooray!

Plus, lots of people underestimate the Lakes in winter. I have brought several people off Striding Edge (in wellies?) in Winter and Swirral catches far too many - including a young lad this year already.

Thanks B A Nana - I thought it was simple 1 and 2 but couldn't quite remember. Great easy climbs in fun locations with super finish by the shelter!! Last time I climbed G1 and came back down Striding Edge was when we met to guy in wellies on the little chimney (ish) at the end end of the edge. Nor rope required for the climb, but we needed it to get him off! The problem in the Lakes is that unlike Scotland too many think that the hills are too low and therefore conditions are really severe. Sadly the consequences of such underestimation can be fatal.

Anyway ndt, enjoy the ride and stay safe!

I dont get it - there is snow everywhere

Not here there's not, there's some a bit more in land but not the big drifts I've seen posted by people pushing their bikes through. As the forum members cover a huge geogprahpical area it's a good place to ask at times where there's been a bad spell of weather before heading somewhere.

Local news this am was pushing the Lakes was open but to avoud high ground unless you knew what you were doing and experienced. Go and enjoy but watch what you're doing as some areas are bad.

Damn Autocorrect. "Really severe" should have read rarely severe. Feb article in Westmoreland Gazettee about mountain rescue teams comments on how too may people are I'll-equipped for current conditions.

A tenner says he's trolling, or dead by sunday.

I hope neither - just a possibly valid point poorly made?

uselesshippy

Il take that bet - what odds do I get??

And seriously - what is "trolling"?
Is it like Dogging - if so im not interested with any of you lot!

ndthornton - Member

And seriously - what is "trolling"?

Assuming this isn't a troll double-bluff question, trolling is where you post contentious/annoying/offensive questions/statements solely to wind people up and get a response/fuel an argument etc.

I rode on snow fields at Les Arcs (deep slushy snow, very steep descent) and though good for a laugh I wouldn't push up to ride down it.

It's Easter, we want to ride.. Locals know their trails. What is so hard to understand?

Id just like to point out I will be in England in [b]April[/b]

You need to do a bit more research.

It's March this weekend.

Of course it is he booked it 2 months ago.

It's almost like people want to know what the trails are like. Could be wrong, though.

Wee example- innerleithen is completely *ed. Glentress has some ridable trails. If you're going for a ride in the tweed valley, asking first is better than going to innerleithen, and discovering it's *ed.

Sometimes, when someone asks a question, it's the answers that are informative. But sometimes, the question itself tells you more 😉

[i]Descents covered in ice sound like fun[/i]

mmm I take it you've not ridden on ice very often then? You can't brake, you can't steer, you can't put any power through the rear wheel and you can't shift about on the bike. Well you can but you'll off. The landing is very hard, you will slide along the ground at speed and stones sticking up through the ice will go through your clothes and rip your skin.

But hey if you think that fun then crack on.

top tip: If you don't like thread then don't open it, there's no need to start a thread complaining about a thread.

Sometimes, when someone asks a question, it's the answers that are informative. But sometimes, the question itself tells you more

Love it 🙂

The OP clearly has no idea what conditions are likely to be like in the mountains, and is unwilling to listen to advice from others.

From the Met Office website:

The Lakeland Fells are in full winter condition with snow and ice at all levels. Recent heavy snowfalls driven by strong easterly winds have resulted in widespread drifting. [u]There are occasional drifts of snow over 1m deep as low as 300m and this depth is common above 600m[/u] The depth of coverage at all levels does vary depending on the amount of wind scouring and drifting, but deep drifts can be encountered in all areas regardless of aspect. As an example - the Helvellyn summit plateau has patches of bare ground alongside drifts of over 1m. Some popular paths have become compacted with use, but [u]anyone heading onto the fells should be prepared for some laborious plodding through deep snow.[/u] These conditions will will alter little throughout the Easter holidays, other than paths becoming more compacted and icy. Above 800m the fresh snow is lying on large areas of compacted older snow and ice and there are likely to be unstable layers within the snowpack. Although some steep snow slopes have consolidated, a careful assessment should be made of the stability of the snow on any steep ground. Swirral and Striding Edges on Helvellyn are covered with deep drifts of soft snow and windslab mixed with patches of more compacted snow and ice, especially on their steep exit ramps. [u]The edges, and similar routes in the Lakes should therefore only be attempted by those experienced and equipped for such conditions. Full winter clothing and equipment are essential for anyone venturing out onto the fells. For those going onto steep or technical ground an ice axe and crampons are also essential. Excellent navigational skills are required as the depth of snow hides many landmarks and paths. [/u]Temperature: minus 5.6 deg C. Maximum wind speed 31.6mph. Wind chill: minus 16.9 deg C. Average wind speed: E 26.6mph.

Sounds like good conditions if winter mountaineering is your thing.
Attempting to do any high level trails on a bike would be a pointless exercise.
I don't see the point of trying to get a ride in just for the sake of it. I'll be leaving the bike at home this weekend and plan to do a couple of decent walks instead. 😉

At about 1,500 ft today - few inches snow

[img] [/img]

1,000 ft lower down (just 5 mins from home) - unrideable 3ft drifts

[img] [/img]

It's hard to predict, so people ask.

The N facing descent from the summit was ace - wind hardened, smooth and grippy (apart from the 3ft deep soft bit where I face planted 😳 )

Descents covered in ice sound like fun

mmm I take it you've not ridden on ice very often then? You can't brake, you can't steer, you can't put any power through the rear wheel and you can't shift about on the bike. Well you can but you'll off. The landing is very hard, you will slide along the ground at speed and stones sticking up through the ice will go through your clothes and rip your skin.

Don't forget not being to fall-off properly. No tuck and roll on ice. My face[plant] and this morning's misadventure is testament to that!

Gary_M - Member

mmm I take it you've not ridden on ice very often then? You can't brake, you can't steer, you can't put any power through the rear wheel and you can't shift about on the bike.

I ride on ice quite a lot, and I cna break, steer, pedal and shift around. But then I cheat 😉 taktaktaktaktaktaktak

[url= http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8244/8599907949_9a953898e2_z.jp g" target="_blank">http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8244/8599907949_9a953898e2_z.jp g"/> [/img][/url]
[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/53860438@N06/8599907949/ ]IMG_1726[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/53860438@N06/ ]Northwindlowlander[/url], on Flickr

Hi all, I had planned to be up at Glentress on Tuesday. Would appreciate it if anyone with local knowledge could let me know what the current trail conditions are? And I don't have the superior ice riding skills of some of our resident experts. Any local info would be much appreciated, cheers

I think I will be down on sunday or monday. Glentress is always a weird one because it gets ridden so much, so sometimes you end up with a compressed glacier of snow and ice even after all the ground around is thawed, but equally sometimes you get a perfect path through otherwise deep snow. It was beautiful riding up as high as the buzzards' nest last week then very quickly went to hell above that.

Trails at Afan today were running well (NO SNOW) and the trails at home (Swinley etc) are running well aside for the regularly drained bits. Surrey hills should be drying well too. Little if any snow in evidence anywhere that I have seen so clearly SNOW IS NOT EVERYWHERE unless you live in the frozen north.

Interested to see the Malverns recommended as somewhere to ride by the OP. Malverns are completely cack at the moment IMHO - not enough snow to ski, but plenty enough (and lots of ice) to make riding not very much fun and unicycling nigh on impossible.

Cheers Northwind, weather forecast suggests it's going to warm up slightly so fingers crossed

Peaks are as mixed as you like - anything between walls will be drifted (was riding at wall top height this morning!).
Where it's melting it's very soft.
Still a hoot, just more ride, push, carry, ride, push, carry - repeat as necessary.

Any particular good peak routes at mo? Ps. I hate a shit snowy descent after pushing up