True - some of the people I saw were riding on ice covered paths or through driving rain and I'll go out on the fells in most weather but I'm fairly new to mountain biking and I guess I'm just not extreme enough for that. Anyway last weekend I finally did the route which was harder than expected but loads of fun. The weather was dry but the trail quite definitely was not.
The ride around Skiddaw is a mix of road, track and rough mountain paths lasting 14 miles for the circuit or about 17 if you park in Keswick as I did. The maximum altitude is 500m or just over 1600 feet.
I left the tourists in Keswick to explore the 50 odd outdoor shops the town is reputed to contain - I haven't counted them and don't intend to but I can well believe the statistic - and rode the short distance to the main roundabout on the A66. Thankfully we don't ride along here but it's straight over towards Bassenthwaite and first right up the lane towards Underscar, Skiddaw and Latrigg.
After the first of many hills the lane bore left by the sharp right up to the Latrigg and Skiddaw car park. If you started there then this is where you will join - probably at great speed as it's a steep hill down to here.Now followed a pleasant ride up and down along the quiet lane - I encountered only 1 car - through Millbeck village to rejoin the A59 at the wooded foot of Dodd. It was sobering to think that the high point of this ride was level with the top of that 1600 foot fell that rose ahead.
The main road - which is not as busy as the A66 - was followed for a little over 2km where I was able to join a forest path through the woods on the right. It leaves a small roadside car park a little way past the entrance to Dodd Wood and follows a pleasant meandering path through the woods to the side of the road. After just over a kilometre it forks - don't carry on up the hill but go left to another roadside parking near the Ravenstone Hotel and rejoin the road.
A case of what you prefer really - it's quicker on the road but on the forest path you will not be mowed down by tourists looking at the view or motorcyclists attempting the land speed record.
After another short stint on the A59 I took the lane on the right towards Orthwaite and Caldbeck. Here one is reminded that the route's high point of 500 metres must be reached at some stage - the lane climbs steeply but I didn't walk at all. At least there was no traffic on this lane as I climbed higher towards the big hills on the right which were topped by the snow edged bulk of Skiddaw. This would be hot work in summer but today the exercise only served to keep the chill out.
Presently the lane descended steeply then climbed again and I soon reached the turn off for Skiddaw House through a gate on the right where there were some wonderful views of Skiddaw across the intervening meadows.
The way at first lay along a paved road (traffic free) up a (fairly) gradual slope. The big hills though are now close and our route lies into the gap on the left of the picture.
Here we lose the tarmac and the unwitting cyclist is treated with this view of the track rising ahead at a gradient that must be about 25%. The view of Dash Falls - also known as Whitewater Dash - which is among the Lake District's most impressive waterfalls is some compensation for the hard work to come and is also a fine excuse to stop and rest a while!
Even my bike looked tired! This is the top of the steep climb but ahead the track continues to ascend though the wide hairpin bend just ahead is not as steep as it looks from below. 
Soon I was on more level terrain riding towards Blencathra near the high point of the route at over 1600 feet. Skiddaw House is about 2km from here and slightly lower. Beyond Skiddaw House which is a Youth Hostel, the path becomes rough singletrack with some very rough sections after the gate. There was a short ascent that I didn't even attempt to ride owing to the size and number of rocks on the path along with the depth of water that lurked in places. If you're into those black graded trails you'll love it - but I walked.
The very rough area is short and the trail soon becomes pure joy to ride on. The picture shows the path along Glenderaterra 400 feet above the river. Distant views of Helvellyn can be seen ahead. Close to where the path is seen to turn the far corner ahead, there is another hard section - this time of exposed rock shelves and steps. It's very short and more experienced riders will cross it easily - the rest of us have no shame in walking.
After the short rocky section the route once again becomes - and stays - easy with a rapidly expanding panorama opening up to the south across the Lake District.
The sight of Derwentwater ahead means that we are back on the southern side of Skiddaw where we started. A quick and easy descent follows. 
The afternoon sun shone on Latrigg with the Central Lake District beyond. Take care to slow down at the bottom of the slope - there is a sharp left and a river crossing! Soon afterwards the Latrigg car park was reached after a short climb and I followed the road on down to take a left back to Keswick by the Underscar Hotel.
Pete Buckley Mar 2011
Essentials >>> How Far? 14miles/22.5km >>> What's it like? A mix of mainly quiet road, easy tracks and very rough tracks - very hilly >>> start and finish Keswick or Latrigg car park >>> Here's a new account of a walk up Skiddaw
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