DATE - 24th to 26th September 2004
Camp - Gillside Campsite, Glenridding
Routes -
Sat - Garburn Pass, Kentmere, Kentmere Bridleways (XC) or Claife Heights
Sun - Skiddaw DH, Honister to Grange, Latrigg or Lonscale to Whitewater Dash and return via Blencathra Centre
Campsite for Friday & Saturday night we suggest is Gillside at Glenridding, 017684 32346 It has a shower/washing/toilet block and can provide milk and eggs. Cost Per Night - Adults £4, Children 5 - 16yrs £2, Tent £1, Vehicle £1.
http://www.gillsidecaravanandcampin…co.uk/index.htm
The village of Glenridding, which originally housed the miners from the disused Greenside mine, has a good selection of general food and gift stores, a National Park information centre, post office, cafes and restaurants, together with a variety of hotel and public bars -just 5 minutes walk away, beside the shores of Ullswater. http://www.ullswater.co.uk/New_Folder/shops.htm
Webcam http://www.bbc.co.uk/cumbria/webcams/glenridding.shtml
Directions - From the M6 - Junction 36 - take the A591 to Windermere then the A592 over kirkstone Pass to Patterdale and Glenridding. Turn left and follow the Greenside road where Gillside is signed…or
From the M6 - Junction 40 take the A66 westwards and then the A592 which follows the Ullswater Road to Glenridding, Turn right and follow the Greenside Road where Gillside is signed.
http://www.gillsidecaravanandcampin…uk/maplink.gif
The route details are as follows…
Lake District Bridleways:
For the new or infrequent visitor to Cumbria please note that the terrain dictates the general type of riding which tends to be Mountain Unicycling rather than trail or cross-country riding. The majority of bridleways are on the hills or over high passes, consequently there are lots of Mountain routes some of which can be a little steep. We have tried to pick a variety of routes to suit all tastes but all will require some riding uphill or walking depending how good you are at riding up hill.
MAPS – English Lakes OS – SE i.e. Explorer OL7
English Lakes OS – NW i.e. Explorer OL4
SATURDAY – Kentmere
Garburn Pass One of the top five routes in Cumbria. Linear in nature, up to a pass from Troutbeck to about 1200ft (may require some walking depending on how much uphill you have done before) and over the top down to Kentmere, turn around and go back again. The downhill westbound i.e. the return is easier than eastbound which has a few technical sections.
The hardest parts on The east side:
http://gallery.unicyclist.com/album...urn_Pass_East_2
One of the hardest sections on the west:
http://gallery.unicyclist.com/albuq99/Image005_4
Kentmere has a high number of bridleways in and out of the valley. Therefore for those who are looking for a long cross-country route, Garburn Pass could be used to access Kentmere and devise one of the numerous circular routes possible. However, we cannot attest as to the quality of all of the routes around Kentmere.
For those wishing a fun day of easier non-technical non-steep riding we would recommend Claife Heights on the west side of Windermere. Numerous routes are possible including a longer circular one with plenty of short sections of interest to play on along the way as well as a swim in the Lake at the end if desired.
SUNDAY- Borrowdale
Honister to Grange
Starts off with easy flat-ish cross country going along the side of the valley the reaches Castle Rock which starts the rocky (hard in places) descent which then leads down to the River Derwent. Then it’s time to have a nice swim/chill out. When ready Ride/walk back up to castle rock and start the xc singletrack part again. I would advise experienced riders to take this route if they like the sound of it, it’s a nice ride with a lot of everyhting in it including a swim! (My prefered route out of the options)
Some of the rocky slightly stepped sections after Castle Rock:
http://gallery.unicyclist.com/album...r_to_Grange_141
Skiddaw Downhill
Simple – walk to summit and ride down non-technical but steep in most places. Start from Latrigg car park (preferable) or for the greatest amount of downhill, the A66 and the first layby east of roundabout signed to Carlisle and Bassenthwaite. A great route for those who are fans of steep but not technical riding.
Just before the steep parts come on Jenkin Hill:
http://gallery.unicyclist.com/albur18/18_G
Skiddaw House - Whitewater Dash - Blencathra Centre- Lonscale Fell
A cross-country route (fairlyrare in Cumbria for obvious reasons) which is very varied in character. Please BEWARE of the cliff edge when riding or walking under Lonscale, we wouldn’t want any deaths now would we . Return from Blencathra Centre to Latrigg car park is via tracks and footpaths (map useful). A nice XC route mostly fairly easy but very pleasant and has some more interesting sections.
Tim finding his suicidal side:
http://gallery.unicyclist.com/albur...riaMuni19703_27
Big Si on the white-water dash side:
http://gallery.unicyclist.com/album187/MTB_072
Latrigg – Mostly footpaths and tracks but easy gently trails both up and around Latrigg
Regards
Simon
TheFatController (at) CumbriaMuni (dot) com
