MTB Blease and Lonscale Fell

The weather really was not improving with a mix of snow and rain to contend with cold cumbrian style! For a Sunday the Blease and Lonscale Fell route is ideal with a great descent down Latrigg to Keswick to finish. 

The route starts at the leisure centre in Keswick. If you park in the far bays then it is free! It is a good warm up along the disused railway line. About 5 miles of great scenery and easy pedalling to warm your legs up! Heading towards Threlkeld you take the road towards the Blencathra Centre. A steep road climb is the order of the day before you are rewarded with great views and the end of the road for the whole route. 

 The trail is not technical but interesting enough to keep you occupied. The views down the valley are stunning even on a dark winters day. At the end of the valley you cross from Blease fell to Lonscale fell. The climb up to the top path has been sanitised a little but still provides an enjoyable climb.

The trail traversing Lonscale fell has a challenging climb on it and a nasty rocky section with an interesting drop. 

The big drop makes this tricky.

The view back to Derwentwater is stunning

The route then traverses back around to the Skiddaw car park at Latrigg. From here the descent down Latrigg is fantastic but when busy it can get frustrating. 

At the bottom of Latrigg you cross the A66 via a bridge and turn left on the road to ride back to the leisure centre at Keswick. This route was voted best short route by MBR one year and it is easy to see why!

The Garburn Pass Classic Lakes Riding

Autumn is a great time to ride in the lakes as the colours are fantastic. This ride starts from the car park behind wheelbase in Staveley. The great thing about this car park is you get a bike shop and a cafe all in one place! We would highly recommend making a visit to Wilfs as the food is fantastic.

map courtesy of  www.bikehike.co.uk







The route leaves Staveley and makes its way over towards Dubbs reservoir. You can take several routes to this bridleway, we just wanted to be off road as much as possible!




We started the ride quite late and we knew the light was going to be tight! However evening autumn lakeland sunshine was too good to miss. The track past Dubbs reservoir makes for good riding. As you pass Limefitt Park below, the trail starts to get a little more serious but the views over Windermere are fantastic






The climb starts and continues at times loose and technical. It certainly tests your climbing and fitness ability! However there is plenty to take your mind off the pain with great views in every direction.

I needed a picture for the school Winter reading Comp! 

Line choice is key to the success of this climb. It is certainly a good challenge! Towards the top the trail levels before dropping over the other side down to Kentmere.

The descent is awesome testing you in every way. This is a classic lakeland descent that has everything!

At the bottom you soon reach Kentmere which in itself is worth a visit! There are numerous options back to Staveley from here. We decided to take the shorter option as the sun was starting to drop behind the fells. Just past the church the trail heads right down to Kentmere Hall. The tower of the hall was built around 1375 by the Gilpin family. The bridleway heads off left and climbs gradually.

The sunset made a great backdrop

At the top the bridleway undulates before reaching the river. There are two options here to either go straight on or left. Our usual descent is left following the river before taking on the challenge of crossing it! Make sure you are in granny gear to get up the other side! Once the short sharp climb from the river is over you go through the gate to start the descent down to the main road leading to Staveley.

The descent starts as a grassy trail but there is a need to avoid the ruts and bog! It soon changes into a rocky descent with a river crossing thrown in for good measure about half way down! It is not long before a gate is reached between houses and the trail leads out to the main road. Turning right takes you back to Staveley. This area is fantastic for riding, we would highly recommend it! 

Ullswater Singletrack

This is a great little route that has a variety of little challenges throughout the route. The route starts at Patterdale and you head South towards the Kirkstone Pass. At Bridgend the route heads for the fells and in particular Boardale Hause.

The climb up Boardale Hause is a great little challenge with a very steep section at the top, unless you are Lance you will be pushing!

Finding it steep at the top

Once you are at the top of the climb you are met with quite a featureless part of the fell. You bear slightly right and head for the ridge right side in the distance. The terrain once you get across the boggy bit is fantastic singletrack across the ridge. 

Just before the descent to Martindale

The next stage of the ride is by far the best. It is an awesome singletrack descent to Martindale. The road is picked up at the Dalehead buildings. A small section of bridleway is taken across to Sandwick before the road is picked up again. 

Before the next car park a signpost to Patterdale is the next turning point. This trail takes you lakeside. The trail is very technical in parts but a great challenge and fantastic scenery next to Ullswater. 

This ride is 18km and a great ride except when windy on top!! It has everything to keep you interested throughout.