Mountain Biking at Whinlatter - The Quercus Trail

The Quercus trail is a fairly new blue graded MTB route at the popular Whinlatter Forest mountain biking area a few miles west of Keswick in the northern Lake District. At 7.5km it is not a long route but does follow singletrack for most of its length and is fairly hilly throughout. The official blurb describes this as "a gem waiting to be discovered" and I would agree.

It was a cold breezy day with the thermometer standing at 2 degrees C at Whinlatter Pass and a blanket of new snow on the higher fells so I opted out of doing the longer red route called the Altura Trail, today deciding on the easier Quercus instead. At first it was a little confusing as to where it actually started - the Altura is clearly marked through a gateway into the forest just beyond the cafe and mountain bike hire centre - and it was only after following this for a short distance that the blue arrows sent me off down to the right.

This first section was a delight to ride - a single track trail twisted gently downhill through the trees and into a more open area with views of the surrounding fells. It was enjoyable and (almost) effortless and there were no difficulties other than optional jumps and rocks so you can just troll along here and enjoy the ride without having to concentrate on staying on the bike. There is a short section of forest road where the route follows the line of the C2C coast to coast route 71 and we carry straight on where this branches down to the left. The blue arrows are easy to follow and the only place I went wrong was at the road crossing. The arrow appears to point left down the road but it is in fact straight on up the path on the other side where the markers are picked up again.

There is always a price to pay for easy downhill riding - it is usually followed by less easy uphill riding and here a short dirt track section led to a singletrack path the climbed in switchbacks through the trees. The gradient was manageable though and I was soon up the steeper sections though I may not have been so fast on a warm day! Now I followed the arrows along an interesting section that in a way was even better than the first part of the route with smooth bumps and banked sections on the downhills. You pass a sign that gives the choice of heading home early - don't unless you are knackered - this next loop is brilliant fun!

The route then followed a downhill with banked turns where I was able to get up some speed and enjoy the descent safe in the knowledge that I wouldn't hit anything too difficult - that's one of the joys of the blue routes - the reds are exciting but I have come across obstacles I would not like to approach at speed! The trail ends along the same route as the red Altura though this section is an easy ride back to the car park.

My summary of the Quercus Trail is "short but sweet" and I felt like riding it again despite the cold weather. Next time I'll do the Altura which is a loop of 10km followed by one of 9km but I'll definitely do this one again. It is also suitable for older kids as long as they can ride up hills there being little difficulty or danger on the route.

A word on Whinlatter Visitor Centre; facilities excellent, cafe excellent (and not expensive), information on routes and the area excellent, car parking expensive - £3 for 2hrs £5 for up to 4 hours and more for all day. This is my only gripe about the place though there is limited space outside and I havn't checked the prices at the other car park - at Grizedale for instance some of the additional car parks are free.

Pete Buckley November 2010

How far is it? 7.5km/4.6 miles >>> What's it like? Blue grade MTB trail - mostly single track, fairly hilly but not technical >>> Planning a visit? Here's the trail guide on pdf - also available from the visitor centre.

Gisburn Forest - An Introduction to Mountain Biking

Gisburn Forest in North Lancashire on the edge of the Forest of Bowland contains 2 mountain bike trails; the red graded 17km outing known as "The 8" which I rode recently, and the easier 9.5km blue graded Bottoms Beck Trail which makes up the lower loop of the figure of eight shape that gives the red trail its name. Today saw me back at Gisburn with my 12 year old son, Josh who han't been on the bike for a couple of months so giving a good reason to try the blue trail.

We rode out of the car park at Cocklett Hill - where both trails start - along the link path to turn left on the trail proper. A wide forest path led easily downhill between the trees - both trails co-existing for a short distance - before the red arrows branch off on singletrack up into the woods to the right. That first short red section has no difficulties if you fancy it but we kept to the blue route which followed a wide track then a woodland path past where the trails met up again and along a short road section beside the Stocks Reservoir.

Back into the forest on the right and we now climbed steadilyon a surface that became rough for a while into an open valley where once again the routes parted company. Just as you approach what looks like a big climb, the blue arrows point right along a nearly level path known as the Old Railway. If you're doing "The 8" it's straight on up the hill - there's more to come too!

The Old Railway section is a very pleasant pathway suitable for family rides and it meanders through woodland before meeting the other trail coming down from the left. Here there is another opportunity to try a short technical section over a small bridge. It's nothing too scary unless you go on the black grade boardwalks - boards and wooden bridges with a few obstacles parallel to the gravel forest road. The choice is yours!

This time though we stayed on the forest road and overtook 3 other bikes going up the hill - the biggest climb on the Bottoms Beck Route - before stopping for water at the junction just past the farmhouse where the trail forks again. Left here for the more challenging (but fun!) half of "The 8" and straight on for home.

Now - do I look like someone who knows where he's going, because when I'm out walking in the hills, I almost always get asked for directions. Here this good tradition was kept up by a guy who rode up to us while we drank from our water bottles. Seems he'd ridden into the forest on a side road and didn't know where he'd come in so as a consequence didn't know the way out either. This gave me visions of cyclists riding round and round the trails unable to find their way out of the forest - well I suppose it can look kind of similar!

The directions - blue and red arrows for the bike trails and coloured marks on posts for the walks - are easy to follow but they do direct you around from and to the trailhead or start point which in this case was Cocklett Hill which isn't ideal if that's not where you want to go. For those entering by unmarked forest roads, themarker posts are usually numbered and a free map from the internet shows the location of these. We saw this guy again where our route turned right off the forest road and his carried on along it. I think he found his way out!

The arrows - now both blue and red - soon directed us off the wide trail and back onto singletrack which here was a proper mountain bike trail with steep winding turns, big bumps andshort but steep climbs and descents. This section ended with some boards which were fairly wide but the water underneath remained a good incentive not to fall off and then we emerged back onto the forest road.

A short ascent as a light rain began to fall led to a faster downhill before we branched left along a meadow path that led back into the woods on a smoother surface than the previous singletrack before the highlight of the route. The finish is a smooth constructed trail with banking on the turns enabling a fast fun descent to round off the day. The track then bears left straight onto the link path towards the car park, ensuring that the navigationally challenged don't end up going round again.

Pete Buckley October 2010

Essentials >>> How Far? 9.5km/6 miles >>> What's it like? Forest Roads and some singletrack (blue grade MTB trail) >>> Start and finish at Cocklet Hill car park, Gisburn Forest

Follow this link for the Gisburn Red Trail 

Mountain Biking in Gisburn Forest

Gisburn Forest near Slaidburn in the Forest of Bowland contains miles of forest trails that can be used by walkers and cyclists but of the most interest to people on 2 wheels are the 2 specially constructed mountain bike trails, "The 8" and "Bottoms Beck". The first of these, known as the 8 because it makes up a figure of eight circuit is 18km in length and graded red (difficult) while Bottoms Beck is a blue graded (moderate) route of 9.5km that effectively follows the lower loop of the eight while missing out the technical sections and the biggest hills. The blue route is suitable for newcomers to the sport - such the author - but the red route was too tempting and while it is simply awesome in places it is graded "difficult" for a reason as I found out.

Setting out from the Cocklet Hill car park (free) - the bike trails all start here while the walks mainly start from the car park by Stocks Reservoir - I rode through the forest on a cool September morning following the directions for both routes. Directions here are easy with the red route - The 8 - marked with red arrows on the posts and the blue route - Bottoms Beck - marked with blue ones. For most of the first section they follow the same route. The actual routes start after a short ride from Cocklet Hill and begin with a left turn as they are one way. An easy dirt track led over undulating terrain until the first red arrow branched off to the right. The route became a narrow single track and climbed over a moderate hill but posed no difficulty and I was soon back on the wide trail which after emerging briefly on the road to cross the causeway by the Stocks Reservoir, began ascending a valley that had partially been cleared of trees. Where the blue arrows turn right to continue following the course of the valley, the stony track steepens ahead up the slopes leading to the forest above.

Some way up this hill my red markers sent me off up a rough narrow trail that climbed into the forest on the right side of the wide track. This section is called "Home Baked" and was built by local volunteers. It winds uphill while conveniently placed rocks conspire to unseat an unattentive rider and I recall one spot where the trail passes between trees spaced so that handlebars will - just - go through the gap! It's loads of fun but I met my limit on the descent through the woods on the far side. As I was enjoying the concentration of avoiding trees and rocks and the cool green shade of the forest after a hot climb, the path steepened ahead down rocky steps. Brakes on and feet down I bottled hurtling headlong down this and walked my bike down most of it before setting off again.

There are a few difficult moments on this route but this one I felt was the hardest that is unavoidabe. Soon I had emerged back on the blue path which seemed as wide as a motorway after my excursion into the trees and I followed this for a short way until a red marker appeared ahead at a junction where the main trail turns right. This next narrow section is not so hilly as the last one and follows a short way from the main track.

The technical features are boards and little bridges over streams with a fearsome looking narrow boardwalk marked as a "black" route. The black (severe) sections of the route are marked with skulls which somehow are not the most inviting of signs. The black sections are optional and needless to say I avoided them - along with a couple of the other features that I figured would see me in the water! This section though is short and fun. A short section of wide forest road (stones) led past a farm and up a steady ascent to the left. The right fork here is the way home - signposted - if you've had enough. The track climbed up to marvellous views and after curving to the left at the top of the climb red markers again sent me back onto the singletrack. This part is called Sheep Hill and begins with a ride over bare rocks with a choice of routes.

The track which was very rough in places with more large stones headed steadily towards Whelpstone Crag - the route's highest point. This section passed through some remote feeling terrain while the peak of Whelpstone Crag grew steadily closer as I negotiated sections of boardwalk, sudden steep rises and stones that made me think that a full suspension mountain bike would perhaps be a good idea. There was more excitement as I inadvertently strayed onto a black section below the crag itself. This was rougher than the hardest part of the climb on Salter Fell I'd done a few weeeks ago so I rapidly found the red route again which I knew that while not so easy, would be rideable - well mostly!

Beyond the crag I avoided the black grade descent - which I just knew would be scary and involve me falling off - and followed the main route down the Hully Gully section. This was the most enjoyable part so far and I was able to gather some speed while remaining confident of staying on the bike. The singletrack is banked at the turns and made for an awesome descent. Thankfully this wasn't too rough.

The route led down into a valley clearing where - after riding through a small river - there was a short climb followed by a descent of easier terrain with the option to choose to ride on the narrow or wider path in several places. This led back down to the forest road past the farm which marks the middle of the "8". Here I took the right fork this time and the blue and red arrows coincided to follow the same route.

The going was now easier on forest road and sections of blue grade singletrack. There was an enjoyable fast descent - again with banked paths - but any technical features here were easier and avoidable and I contemplated whether I could do the blue route - Bottoms Beck - with Daniel in his seat on my bike. Possibly with care on the descent and a short boardwalk. Could be bumpy though!

Pete Buckley September 2010

Essentials >>> How Far? 18km/11 miles >>> What's it like? Hilly with rough sections on singletrack and some technical features (red grade MTB trail) >>> Start and finish at Cocklet Hill car park, Gisburn Forest >>>

A Rough Ride in Bowland

There are several easy rides to be posted here but this is not one of them. A 31 mile tour of the wildest parts of the Forest of Bowland Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty with a third of the route off road and 2 high passes makes for a fantastic day out but make no mistake - it's a tough one!

From the free car park behind Slaidburn village hall, I rode through the small village centre - I'd stayed at the

Youth Hostel here so the stone built houses and tiny village square were familiar - and turned right alongside the pub soon leaving the village behind. A short way up this lane there is a sign on the left for Pain Hill Farm - I wondered whether this was a sign of things to come but if this was Pain Hill it was fairly short and relatively painless to ride up. The route turns right up a lane called woodhouse lane and follows it around past several farm entrances drawing steadily higher towards the vast swell of the high moorlands ahead.

The end of the tarmac is marked by a gate and beyond this I turned sharp right along a gently rising track of broken concrete. I was happily riding under a false sense of security blissfully unaware of what lay ahead.

The track gradually swung back around to the left and lost the concrete surface becoming a rough and stony track that climbed across the heather moors. Ahead lay a vast swathe of lonely open hills into which the way led unerringly while across the valley to my right I spotted a deserted stone hut and an ancient sheepfold. The presence of the building simply accentuated the isolation.

My route now descended towards a river which was crossed by a single stone span which was adorned with a sign declaring it a weak bridge. These words do not encourage one to linger mid-stream and I was soon on the far side riding up the hardest section so far as the track rapidly veered towards mountaineering territory. This in fact turned out to be the toughest part of the whole route with large rocks and a loose surface conspiring to unseat any unwary rider on a gradient that must have been 20%. The grassy edge of the path here proved to offer the best chances of remaining on my bike.

The track soon became more rideable and after passing an old stone farmhouse on the left I stopped for some lunch at an obvious and comfortable rock by the path. Beyond this rock the track does become rough again for a while with large stones but it never quite reaches the bike wrecking level of the bit after the bridge and I was soon on the (relatively)level ground that marks the top of the Bowland Fells - a high moorland plataeu in places 500m above sea level but which still looks nothing like a forest on account of the lack of trees. The name of the Forest of Bowland comes from deer forest which was basically a hunting reserve in days gone by. Ahead lay the rough top of Ward's Stone - the highest point of the region and I had a sense of crossing the summit of Salter Fell and heading down the other side though there was no clear pass and the descent doesn't really start properly until after the gate is reached.

After the gate views opened out more the further I went with the wilderness-like landscape to the West forming a wide and deep valley through the hills leading towards the West Lancashire plains. The track this side is called Hornby Road and runs more or less north westwards through the hills though there is little chance of getting lost as long as you ignore the few tracks branching off.

Soon a beautiful vista began to widen ahead with the green lowlands rising steadily up to the Penninesin the East and the Yorkshire 3 Peaks dominating the view; Whernside the highest, Ingleborough with its familiar flat top and Pen y Ghent around to the right. Ahead lay the fields and woodlands of the Lune Valley backed by the jagged skyline of the Lake District mountains far off in the haze. It was towards these distant views that I rode - a long effortless freewheel that more than made up for the hardships endured in getting up here.

This section involved one or two rough parts but soon I was on a wide swathe of grass like a fairway on a golf course that led swiftly down between slopes of heather. The fairway comparison may be an exaggeration but there were no rocks or big bumps to negotiate and it was simply a case of relaxing in the saddle and enjoying the big skies and far off views.

Presently after a minor rough section I was suddenly back in civilisation - a gate led to a tarmac road and there was a farmhouse in front - High Salter it's called. Here a fast descent and a steep but short climb led me to a right turn leading steeply down through woodland to the old stonebuilt village of Wray.

The return route after turning right at the first junction in Wray leads along a pleasant quiet road that follows the valley floor towards Lower Bentham. After crossing the River Hindburn turn right - this is the main road direction anyway - and climb up again passing the farm of Four Score Acres on the left. The name is clearly visible. A mile or so after here turn right up the hill and follow the signs to Slaidburn rather than go to Lower Bentham which would be further to ride. If you do miss the turn and end up there, just folow for Slaidburn anyway.

On this road I met no traffic but had cause to stop and get my camera out in a hurry when I spotted a tiny roe deer stood stock still in the field by the road. Needless to say the deer ran off before I could take its photo. I soon came to a crossroads and followed the right turn to Slaidburn which led over the infamous Cross O' Greets Pass which at 468 metres or over 1500 feet is one of the major challenges on such bike races as the Tour of Britain.

The climb to the summit is gradual with the steepest section at the end though if you had gone via Lower Bentham the start would have been long and steep - this way it was more gradual. The views improve with altitude and the summit - unlike Salter fell - is a clear ridge leading back to the southern side of the Bowland Fells. The last bit was tough though near the end of the day and it was a relief to be speeding like the wind down the far side.

There is however a sting in the tail to this route - after the descent from Cross O' Greets, you cross a river and enter woods where the road abruptly climbs up again. This last hill is steep but not too long and once you are up it is downhill virtually all the way to Slaidburn to complete the circuit of the Forest of Bowland 31 miles later to end a hard but enjoyable and varied ride.

The off road sections are my favourite but a mountain bike is recommended for these - my hybrid fared OK but a road bike would struggle. There are hills throughout - not just the two main passes so if you see riding up hills as a challenge you'll love this but if you only like cycling on the flat - don't do it!

Pete Buckley July 2010

Essentials >>> How far is it? 31 miles/50km >>> What's it like? Hilly with some very rough parts - a third off road >>> Start and finish in Slaidburn village

The Lakeside Trail in Kielder Forest

Kielder Forest is located in the county of Northumberland on the southern edge of the Cheviot Hills just a few miles to the English side of the Border. The area is renowned for mountain biking trails of all levels of difficulty and several new routes have been opened recently.

Perhaps the best way to experience what this area has to offer is to ride the Lakeside Way that does the full 26 mile circuit of Kielder Water, the largest man made lake in Europe. The route is suitable for beginners to mountain biking, being a blue grade or moderate difficulty though it is hilly and doing it in 2 sections may be more suitable for family groups. The south shore is easier and has more facilities while the north shore has no motor access and the trail is far from flat. The previous occasion I was here the route had not been finished but this August I set out with my family to complete it.

Beginning at the car park up the hill from Kielder Castle the 4 of us rode down the road and onto the signposted path to the Minotaur Maze past the play area. Both of these are excellent for keeping kids entertained though today one of ours was setting the pace ahead while the other rode in comfort in his seat on the back of my bike.

Pass the maze and turn left at the end where a sign directs over the road to the Lakeside Way down a track that follows the upper reaches of the North Tyne River on the left. Following this dirt track down through the wooded riverbank soon brought us to the Lakeside Way itself which can be followed in either direction from here. We chose to ride in a clockwise direction tackling the North Shore first. This gives more opportunities for tired legs to abandon the ride later on - the north shore of Kielder Water is remote country with no motor access while all facilities and visitor centres are on the southern shore.

The trail was mainly a dirt track type surface which alternately climbed up to open country and descended into the dense woodland along the shore of Kielder Water itself. I really enjoyed riding along here though Jacqui was indignant at the fact that something that described itself as a lakeside route should so resemble an Alpine stage of the Tour de France!

To be fair the route is graded blue which is moderate in terms of mountain bike routes but not so moderate as far as family rides go. The main highlights apart from the spectacular views over Kielder Water and the joy of riding in remote country far from the noise and danger of traffic, are the artworks along the route. These are numerous and are described in the local information leaflets though for some of them you need to leave the trail and ride a short way to see them. The first of the art works we stopped at were the Janus Chairs; 3 moveable curved giant seats by the lakeside that you climb up into and are surprisingly comfortable vantage points from which to view the unspoilt scenery. Daniel was though more interested in a digger that had been left by a pathway undergoing restoration.

On again to another trackside artwork called Robin's Hut. Someone once said that if an object is made that does not serve a purpose then it must be art yet the Janus Chairs provide comfort and shelter from the rain; while Robin's Hut provided a pleasant sheltered lunch spot with views across Kielder Water to the Leaplish visitor centre on the far shore.

The Lakeside Way did follow the shoreline a little more closely now following it around several indentations meaning that Kielder Dam which was in view ahead was further than it had looked. After another uphill deviation we came all of a sudden to the Hawkhope car park which appeared through the trees following a downhill and an easy flat section.

The Lakeside Way is well signposted around this section and the route is much easier with much smaller hills and a smoother surface to ride on. After crossing the dam we stopped for a drink at the Tower Knowe visitor centre which was surprisingly quiet having ridden about 14 miles. We would continue to Leaplish where Jacqui had decided to call it a day and take Daniel to the play area while me and Josh finished the route to return with the car.

The well marked route to Leaplish follows the lake below the road and is an easier ride than the north shore with the steepest hill encountered on the way up to the Bull Crag Peninsula which also gives the best views. After Bull Crag one passes the ornately carved Freya's Hut which is directly opposite Robin's Hut where we had eaten lunch on the far shore of Kielder Water.

Leaplish is the main visitor centre here and there is a play area, cafe, birds of prey centre - displays are highly recommended - and even a gym and pool though as I was riding 26 miles today I was not in need of a gym. Jacqui tethered her bike to the fence of the play area where Daniel could run around and pretend to be either Thomas the Tank Engine or Sportacus - whichever he favoured today - and Jacqui could watch him. She found this prospect more appealing than the last 7 miles of the trail. Me and Josh set off through the car park and rejoined the Lakeside Way which descended to turn sharply onto a bridge over an inlet. This is where Josh crashed.

There was no serious injury but he could not go on so returned to the play area to await rescue with Daniel and Jacqui. I now set off to collect the car with some urgency.

After Leaplish the route regains some of its wilder qualities that characterise the early part of the ride and while there's a short section on a quiet tarmac road we're soon off on the forest trails again. The way follows the Lewis Burn Inlet to cross the fascinating wooden bridge that spans it at the bottom of a deep wooded valley. I was quite satisfied after the bridge as I ascended the hill on its far side to effortlessly fly past several people with expensive looking bikes and kit who appeared to be struggling with the hill. What made it funnier was that I was on my hybrid bike from Halfords with a child's seat on the back though I may not have been quite so fast had the seat still been occupied!

The last part of this trail was a joy. I saw hardly anyone and I rode on a delightful forest path through patterns of light and shade made by the newly emerged late afternoon sun shining through the trees. Sooner than expected I had arrived at the place we had joined the trail earlier in the day so turned left this time to follow the North Tyne the short distance to Kielder Castle. The last hill to the car park was a fitting challenge to finish with - Jacqui would have hated that - and I was soon on my way back to Leaplish.

Pete Buckley August 2010

Essentials >>> How far? 26 miles >>> What's the route like? Some hills, well marked easy trail >>> Start and finish at Kielder Castle

Biking Grizedale Forest - the Hawkshead Moor Trail

Here was the first of the hills, the wide track leading steeply through a field on the far side of the gate. Beyond, the grassy slopes rose up to where they were overhung by the edge of the forest which itself cloaked steep hillsides which we would have to surmount at some point in the very near future.

From the Grizedale visitor centre we'd cycled a short distance following the green arrow markers for the bike trail known as the Hawkshead Moor Trail, a 10.5 mile (16.9km) loop through the western reaches of Grizedale Forest in the southern Lake District. The route is entirely off road mainly following gravel track or traffic free forest roads.

The first hill was short but steep and led us to a crossroads under the trees. Here you can join the loop in either direction but going left or clockwise seems the preferred way - the biggest hills are done early in the route this way. In addition the Hawkshead Moor Trail follows the same route as the North Face Trail - a red graded mountain bike path that leaves and rejoins the main path at intervals giving the option to do as much or as little as you want. This trail is one way being single track path and must be done in a clockwise direction.

After a short downhill here the climbing began in earnest with a very steep start that settled into a steady ascent into dense woodland as we left the valley behind. There were six of us doing the ride today; our friends Sam and Jamie who were camping with us, my wife Jacqui who didn't walk half as much as she'd expected to, my 12 year old son Josh who was up front doing a good impression of Alberto Contador and my 2 year old son Daniel who resided in great comfort in his seat on the back of my own bike.

Following a concerted effort we reached more open country with large clearings in the coniferous forest allowing distant views to open up. The gradients became gentler and finally began to undulate before we embarked on the first swift downhill allowing us to cool off after the earlier exertions. Soon we arrived at the first diversion for the North Face MTB trail which Sam and Jamie had opted to do. It is clearly signed with red markers both where it leaves and rejoins the main track and they left us with Josh who had also opted to give it a go. Owing to boardwalks, rocks and small drop offs I decided - with my young passenger - to stay with Jacqui on the easier path but I'll do it when I'm next at Grizedale with a bike to myself!

Our own route was thoroughly enjoyable though and even Jacqui who had not found the hills much fun describing them as "like the Alps... only worse" began to enjoy the ride as well. Long exhilarating descents and short climbs led us northwards with a spectacular panorama of the Coniston Fells on the left and Coniston Water far below that was gradually replaced with one of Langdale and then of Helvellyn and Fairfield as we neared the northern part of our loop. There were frequent pauses to wait for those on the slower but more technical North Face Trail giving us the chance to experience the forest's stillness and bird life. We were far from any road or traffic noise and there were few people about - another couple of family groups and 4 or 5 mountain bikers were all we saw even though the visitor centre was crowded. Oh and one chap heading the wrong way in search of Moor Top car park.

Just before Moor Top - after we had given the lone wanderer directions - our route branched off left and south to follow the green markers on the home stretch. Here a fast descent broken only by Daniel's triumphant announcement that he had got his arm out of his harness - brought us in very little time back to the crossroads near the start of the route. All that remained was to wait for the rest of our party and ride the couple of miles back to the campsite where we were based just south of Satterthwaite. We had ridden to the start instead of driving to the visitor centre to avoid paying for parking and unnecessarily using the car.

A total of 10.5 miles from the visitor centre or 14 miles riding from the Grizedale Campsite (recommended) the Hawkshead Moor Trail is a couple of hours very well spent. The route is suitable for families with the option for the adventurous to try the harder route though a certain amout of fitness is required for the hills early on the route. Unfit beer swilling pie eaters would perhaps struggle here but it's the best way to enjoy the unique views of this beautiful corner of the Lake District which improve the further you get from the motor roads.

Essentials >>> 10.5 miles circular route >>> traffic free forest roads >>> non technical with fair sized hills >>>

Pete Buckley May 2010

Biking the 7 Stanes - On the Big Country Trail

It seemed to have rained for days but not today - the sun shone warmly and we'd made a good start along the forest road. With little effort we maintained something over 40 km/h as the summer breeze brought out the scents from the surrounding woodland and meadow. The gradient was a gentle downhill with our momentum carrying us over the small uphill sections of the single track lane as we sped from light to shade under the trees. I was glad of our good start because it wasn't always going to be this easy.

The Big Country Trail is a 58km circular mountain bike trail from Glen Trool in the Galloway Forest Park of south western Scotland and I was riding it today with Josh, my 11 year old son. The route is maintained by the Forestry Commission as one of their "7 Stanes" mountain bike trails and follows partly off road trails with some sections on quiet roads such as the one we were on now. The main challenge of riding the Big Country Track is one of hills and distance rather than technical difficulties.

Our first challenge came not with a climb or rough descent though but in the small town of Minnigaff just outside Gatehouse of Fleet. If there was a sign for the Big Country Route - marked in purple here - we missed it and ended up on a busier road - the B7079. at least it had a cycle path at the side and we soon were able to take a left onto the A712 signposted New Galloway which was again quiet and began to climb steadily into the Galloway Hills which rose invitingly ahead. A look at the map revealed that we could rejoin our route a little further on. I wanted to get to grips with the off road but Josh preferred the road if it wasn't busy. It would mean that we would end up doing extra distance but it would be easier riding.

Gatehouse of Fleet was now left well behind and the forest pressed in on both sides of the road. We had been climbing steadily though not at a hard gradient and after we passed one of the entrances to Kirroughtree Forest on the right we were able to leave the road. A track led off into the woods on our left and climbed steeply upwards bending briefly back to the left - the way we'd come - before turning back on course through the trees. Here we met another track the came up from the left to join us. This was where we'd have come out if we'd not gone wrong at Minnigaff where we should have turned left at the end of the forest road. Here we passed a sign declaring this to be the Old Edinburgh Road. I found it quite fascinating that before the tarmac road, this track was the main route north through these mountains. The horse drawn coaches would rattle along here presumably persued by the odd highwayman! It would have been remote country to travel through in those days.

We stopped for an early lunch in a wide clearing with a view of the hill called Cairnsmore of Fleet. We sat on a pile of logs that had been felled and apart from the stony track and signs of logging there was no other sign of human activity here. I'd have thought that on a day like this there would have been other cyclists orwalkers but no - we had it all to ourselves.

Onwards again and past the tiny isolated Loch of the Lowes bordered by heather and patches of trees

overhanging the still water. The rough track surfaced with stones had been mainly downhill since lunch but now it climbed again in a couple of short but steep ascents. The bumpy track is harder to get any momentum going so these hills were harder than a similar climb on the road and my lower gears were tested for the first time. Josh decided after falling off again - more due to lack of speed than obstacles - that he'd rather be on the road so we decided to return to it instead of the short cut over Poultrybuie Hill and visit Clatteringshaws Loch. For now though it was the track which wound through some wonderfully remote country - no sign of houses or cars, just a vastness of heather and trees through which we rode steadily.

The track went down again and became a little less rough and we were able to make a little more speed as we reached a second small lake - The Black Loch - where the short steep way turned off to the left. That's the proper route for the Big Country Trail but Josh still preferred to head for the road. Besides we had some unavoidable mountain bike tracks to finish off with. Another couple of miles past the Black Loch on relatively level track brought us within sight of the A712 once again and we rejoined the smooth tarmac. There was hardly any traffic so I didn't object to leaving the track and we at once doubled our speed. A gentle gradient took us higher before a 60 km/h descent nearly made us overshoot the turn off to the left. The signpost was for National Cycle Route 7 again and the Glen Trool Off Road Route. Here a narrow tarmac lane passed the Clatteringshaws Dam and set off back towards the hills.

The fox hadn't spotted us - he trotted along the side of the road ahead occasionally stopping to sniff the grassy verge in the same way that a dog would. Then he must have scented or heard us as he was off into the bushes by the roadside as we approached. The road which had been gradually gaining height since leaving Clatteringshaws Dam soon descended a long hill to meet the track coming over Poultrybuie Hill from the Black Loch where a right hander at the bottom took us off the tarmac again. The rough gravel and stones of the mountain bike track led on through the heather andtrees into the wilderness that lay between here and the end of the Big Country Track at Glen Trool.

Steep climbs that tested our strength - it's best to keep going rather than stop on this rough ground - were followed by quick bone jarring descents though always we climbed higher until at something over 1000 feet - the map shows 318 metres - we came within sight of the remote Loch Dee. Away beyond the mountains rose in lines above a vast upland plateau. The very names of the hills and rivers here fired the imagination - Rig of the Jarkness, Curleywee Hill, the Rhinns of Kells, Silver Flowe - they sounded like places in a fairy tale and the landscape suited them. It was a wonderful spot.

The pass to Glen Trool could be seen clearly ahead not too far off and we set off again. The going was a bit easier now first heading down past a bothy (hut) built for fishermen on Loch Dee before a fairly easy climb to the pass itself. Here we ate the rest of our food by the Stane which is a large polished stone bearing carvedrunes - not ancient but placed by the Forestry Commission to mark one of their 7 mountain bike areas in Southern Scotland known as the 7 Stanes.

We now rode through open heathery country below rough crags as we began our desent to Glen Trool. Josh went ahead at a furious pace - his bike is more suited to the off road tracks than mine and for all his claiming to prefer the road he made a good descent of the track back into the forest. That was until he stopped at a turn off, looked round and fell off his bike again! I think I was unkind to laugh but descending the rough trail at speed uncscathed then falling off a stationary bike...

At a more leisurely pace we completed the steep forest trail to cross the bridge at the bottom. Here we were passed by 2 mountain bikers - surprisingly the first we had seen on the whole route. We followed them along the roughest section of the route so far. Large rocks and tree roots joined the effort to unseat us and the mountain bikers - but with machines more suited to such terrain - they soon disappeared ahead into the trees.

The Big country Route had a sting in the tail. The track now climbed back up at the steepest gradient we'd met all day staying rough so it was hard to get going. With the last of our strength we reached Bruce's Stone which is one of the monuments around here to Scottish hero Robert the Bruce and also the start point for the route to Merrick - Galloway's highest summit - which we'd climbed the year before.

Once back on tarmac our speed picked up and soon we saw the mountain bikers ahead. Part competitive spirit and part desire to be eating an ice cream in the cafe saw us overtake them in a kind of team persuit postion completing the last 3 miles of single track road to the car park in just over 8 minutes. The Big Country Trail must rank as one of the best days out I've had on the bike - certainly in recent times - and I'll look forward to re visiting the area and trying a few more of the bike routes. A big well done to the Forestry Commission for creating such good routes for cyclists!

Essentials >>> 36 miles/58km circular route >>> mostly forest roads >>> rough in places with big hills

Pete Buckley July 2009

The Easiest 15 Miles in England (probably)

The Crook of Lune near Lancaster is the start point for several walks and cycle routes but this 15 mile circuit from Denny Beck car park a mile nearer to Lancaster is one of my favorites in the area. The route is suitable for families, being almost completely devoid of hills or difficulties and in fact you would probably need to go to Holland to find a flatter bike ride. The main joy though is in the variety of scenery you ride through including the leafy riverbank of the Lune, a sea front ride from Morecambe to Hest Bank and a rural canalside stretch on the return journey.

Leave the car park and head towards Lancaster with views of the River Lune on the right through the trees. After passing under the M6 you will ride under another high bridge - this is the Lune Aqueduct and it carries the Lancaster Canal high above the river. Our return is over this aqueduct on the towpath. Soon afterwards Lancaster is reached and we pass a skate park before heading under a small subway, after which a left turn by the road - well signposted - takes us to the Milennium Bridge - a modern structure taking the traffic free walk and cycle way over the river. On the far side follow the track to Morecame about three and a half miles distant.

A good job has been made of the cycle path through Lancaster as you don't have to go on the busy roads at all. In fact the only road section on this ride is about 200 metres from Morecambe railway station - which we pass - and the prom. Morecambe's best feature is the stone jetty which protrudes a quarter of a mile out to sea with views across Morecambe Bay to the mountains of the Lake District. You can get refreshments here too.

Follow the prom northwards with the sea on your left to Hest Bank where the route crosses the busy A6 and climbs the route's only hill of any note on the opposite pavement - you are spared riding on the road again - until blue signs direct you through a small housing estate to the Lancaster Canal where the towpath is followed in a southerly direction along National Cycle Network route 6 (turn right).

The sea views have been replaced by a pleasant rural setting and a variety of birds can be spotted in the reed beds on the opposite bank. The towpath is wide enough to ride safely on without the risk of ending up in the water though it may be a good idea to stop whilst carrying out any birdwatching activities. Presently you will arrive at the aforementioned aqueduct which is fascinating to cross and gives views far along the river below.

Immediately after reaching its far side a path with steps leads down to rejoin the Lune Valley cycle path below The steps are not unduly steep but number over 90 and are the only awkward section of this route. They are avoidable by joining the road a little further on though we managed them OK with my wife helping our 2 year old son down while I carried our bikes one at a time.

Turn right on the cycle path at the bottom and you will soon be back at the car park. Setting out from the Crook of Lune which is a busier car park adds 2 and a bit miles to the circuit it being further from Lancaster but there are toilets there and Woody's burger bar which offers good value meals. The council produce excellent maps for walking and cycling in the area and they can be obtained here free of charge.

This ride is suitable to do with the kids being almost entirely traffic free and having the added advantage of visiting the seaside! Canal bank concerns can be alleviated by returning the same way from Morecambe.

Essentials >>> 15 miles circular route >>> traffic free cycle paths >>> almost completely flat >>>