With his new guidebook Lake District Mountain Bike Routes having recently hit the shelves, site regular and mountain bike route guru Tom Hutton tells us what's so good about mountain biking in the Lakeland fells, and shares some of his favourite photos from the book.
When I started researching mountain bike routes, back in 1998, the Lakes had a terrible reputation. Too much carrying/pushing, summits too high for winter riding, too many walkers on the best trails… the list of gripes was endless, and I was tempted to give the area a wide berth.
But as a walker and climber I knew the Lake District and was sure there was some good stuff too. It didn't take a lot of exploring to reveal some of the best riding I'd ever done.
I quickly learned that the golden rule was to stay out of the mountains. Sure, there are a few good, ride-able trails across some high ground – Helvellyn, Skiddaw and High Street being the obvious ones – but these are pretty brutal really; best tackled by good, fit mtbers in good weather.
"It didn't take a lot of exploring to reveal some of the best riding I'd ever done"
The best stuff tends to steer clear of the summits altogether, and instead follows old trails and ancient roads over high passes and around the skirts of the fells. And once you start riding this, you find some amazing variety. Everything from sinuous, serpentine singletrack – check out the Dunnerdale Fells or Lonscale Fell – right through to full-on rocky horror shows like Borrowdale, Ullswater or the Gatesgarth Pass.
There's easier stuff for the less-experienced: Loughrigg Terrace or Eskdale for example; there are big climbs, like Black Combe or the Walna Scar, for those with the legs and lungs; and some wonderful downhill – check out the never-ending drop from the Cockpit to Ullswater or the switchback from the Nan Bield. There are also some pretty major epics such as High Street or the Howgill Fells.
"The best stuff tends to steer clear of the summits, and instead follows old trails and ancient roads over high passes and around the skirts of the fells"
The idea of the book was to focus on the best the area has to offer rather than trying to cram everything in. It's aimed at those with limited time for exploring, particularly those that haven't ventured far from trail centres so far. It's perfect for a weekend visit but with 22 routes in total, there's enough for a few trips.
I've picked out my own favourite sections and a few three-star routes, and also included a fair bit of info aimed at those getting out into the fells for the first time.
To ride one of the trips from Lake District Mountain Bike Routes check out this UKH Route Card to Loughrigg Fell / Loughrigg Terrace
And there's a link to the book here
About Tom Hutton
An award winning outdoor writer and photographer, North Wales-based Tom Hutton has been the route researcher for mbr (Mountain Bike Rider) magazine for over 13 years, and is a regular contributor to hillwalking magazines. He has an almost encyclopaedic knowledge of the best 'natural' moutain bike trails in the UK.
Tom has written and illustrated a number of guidebooks covering walking, climbing and mountain biking.
He's equally at home walking, climbing, skiing, or cycling, and his passion for the outdoors is matched only by his love of nature in general.
See www.tomhutton.co.uk for more
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