Tagged by "district"
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Legendry Ladybower and the Derwent Valley
(route)
Here's the second weekend route I tried on my new mountain bike after many years away from the scene and boy was it hard work! Definitely 'Advanced' both the climbs and descents are hard going, perhaps something for the people with downhill bikes!
Start and the visitors centre and head north along the track by the side of the reservoir, when you come to an inlet to the west the road veers left and you'll see the track going up the hill to the left (south). Some seriously steep and challenging up hill here leads to ridable tracks across the top. Eventually you come to a three way junction (4 including the track you've come along), one tract heads right to the west. another straight down the hill and another in to woods on the left. Take the left track up between the twin peaks of Bridge End Pasture then down the other side of the hill, veering right down the hill to the A57.
Alternative routes are to go 'STRAIGHT DOWN THE FREAKIN HILL' (srsly not recommended) at the 4 way junction, or to the right then rejoin the route when you get to the A57.
Then the easy bit, back up the A57 then south/east along the southern part of ladybower, across the dam and back up to the A57. Turn right and follow the track up the hill to the left just after the Lady Bower Inn Pub.
Again challenging stuff gives way to the ridable, the track doubles back on itself to the high point at Whinstone Lee.
It's then north along the eastern side of the Derwent valley with some lovely views but a distinctly rubbish 8 " pothole undulating track then back down the very steep hillside to the road. Watch out for the cobbles at the bottom of the hill, they don't take well to brakes so check your speed! Then it's back along the road to the visitors centre and a well earned cup of tea and pasty at the pie shop there. Boy will you deserve it.
Alternative starting points are: the car park near '1' (on the road to Bamford) with nearby Ladybower Inn ; and Bamford Railway Station to the south, following the track up to the west of the dam at 2 or the road to it's east.
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the Skiddaw Group
(route)
Very, very adaptable, almost any of the fells can be skipped if the tiredness kicks in, definitely manageable though, even if there are sore feet at the end. Good views from Skiddaw too
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South Helvellyn Range
(route)
Four fells on this route, very adaptable though, Seat Sandal can be missed out, as can Helvellyn itself
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The North Wasdale Fells
(route)
Features seven fells, got good views of Great Gable, Ennerdale and Wastwater
