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Post by spacemonkey on Sept 22, 2014 20:47:52 GMT
Going to tag along with a couple of lads from work this weekend to do the lake loop.
Never been up to Kielder before so don't know what to expect.
Any thoughts anyone?
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Post by andyr on Sept 22, 2014 21:41:07 GMT
Have they ever been before? Are they newbies? Reason I ask is the lakeside way is 26 odd miles on a 2m wide, smooth, electric buggy friendly cemented gravel path. Lots of nice views and a nice way to stretch the legs with more up and down than you'd think but in no way really demanding (unless it's blowing a gale). The blue (osprey) route is great fun. If you usually stick to reds give this one a go. After the initial fireroad climb the trail is fast and flowing - if it had the jumps and drops of a red people would rave about it. The Lonesome Pine is sort of an intro red. Pretty easy technically but with lots of climbing but the last downhill (Skydive) back to the village is great fun. Both take in parts of the lakeside way. The Deadwater trail is the best up there though. It's undergoing some TLC / a revamp at the minute so I think some parts are closed. Hodgy'll be along soon to confirm. Depending on weather/your mood it's not really worth doing the top loop to the top of Deadwater Fell, stop at the top of Into the Valley. It's a great trail with punishing ups and great grin inducing downs, the black part has also been finished after being updated by the northern downhill lads and used in their trail bike TT race last weekend - looks good from the parts I've seen. My usual route from the car park by the castle: deadwater to top of Into the Valley, follow that to the black (up and over and the rest), down to the forest drive, turn right, take the first fireroad on the right, climb up that staying left at the fork. Rejoin the Deadwater at Twist and Shout after a breather for the fun last downhill section. Then go and do all of the blue if you've got the energy... Maps here: www.visitkielder.com/play/adventure/mountain-bikingPS: the bike shop up there have got some very nice Santa Cruz 5010, TBLT / Kona's and Orange 5's for demo. Give them a bell if you want to try one. www.thebikeplace.co.uk/ |
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Post by Killswitch73 on Sept 23, 2014 1:57:19 GMT
Im thinking about doing this at the weekend , thinking of taking missis and little one (4 yr old) is there anything they can do none cycling wise while i wiz round the red 20 miler ?
is the signs pretty straight forward for joining the red routes ? dont fancy getting lost and then other half panicking .
or is it best to go on my own and leave them at home ?
thanks
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Post by hodgy on Sept 23, 2014 5:21:59 GMT
First up..Andy...excellent info ..think you have covered all the bases there and there is not much more to add.
Are you sitting in the maternity ward then...waiting for something to happen?
For everyone else's benefit ..Andy has been very active on the trail building front in the past and took the lead on some maintenance on the lonesome pine trail a couple of years back ..so knows the trails intimately ...he also did the montane 100miler a couple of times so knows what he is talking about...and he is right about the blue .. It's no kiddie route and well worth doing.
The number of times I have spoken to riders on the trailhead who have asked about where to go and have turned their noses up at the mention of a "blue" ..thinking it is beneath them ...I've lost count of . Now I just smile inwardly and think to myself ...your loss!
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Post by hodgy on Sept 23, 2014 5:51:21 GMT
Spacemonkey...if it is the lakeside way you are set on doing ... Then in my opinion it rides better anti-clockwise.
Start it from Tower Knowe visitor centre. The advantage of doing this is that you will do the part of the lake with no facilities on the first part of the ride and then have Kielder village ..with The Bike Place ( sells route maps) opposite the castle and the tea rooms in the castle at approximately half way around ..with a short diversion to get there. Leaplish visitor centre half way between the village and Tower Knowe ...and easy road access from the lakeside way if anyone is struggling after the half way point.
Killswitch...does the missus drive ? There are plenty of things to do if so . The castle is worth a visit .. Not least for the cafe within ... Then Leaplish Visitor Centre has a kiddies park ..a Bird of Prey centre ,pub restaurant and also a swimming pool on site ... But you may have to book your swim in advance...the lakeside way runs through the centre and is pushchair friendly should she wish to do a short walk...but being in the middle of the countryside it is aimed at outdoor activities. ...
However ..I'm not telling her she can't come.. That's your shout!
Hope all this info helps ...my thanks to Andy for providing the bulk of it ...shout if you need any more info .
Hope you all have a great day.. Would have met up with you ...but we are on the other side of the Cheviots in the Ingram valley at the same time.. Have fun!!
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Post by Jimbo on Sept 23, 2014 7:33:22 GMT
Really can't wait to go to Kielder but looks like next year now
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Post by Deleted on Sept 23, 2014 10:22:16 GMT
... My usual route from the car park by the castle: deadwater to top of Into the Valley, follow that to the black (up and over and the rest), down to the forest drive, turn right, take the first fireroad on the right, climb up that staying left at the fork. Rejoin the Deadwater at Twist and Shout after a breather for the fun last downhill section. Then go and do all of the blue if you've got the energy... Yes, it's a pity we're having an awayday on the Cheviots on Saturday (also I'm probably working Sunday), otherwise I would certainly join you. I don't have the experience of either Hodgy or Andyr, but I've done most routes more than once. I've only one experience to add to Andy's description of the Deadwater red. After coming down Into the Valley and Jimmy's Hill (excellent!) there is a junction where you go up the black (Up and Over, Devil's Elbow etc.) or straight on to stay on red (All Along the Watchtower, Superbowl, Twist & Shout etc.) It is a while since I did that black and it starts with some punishing rock garden climbs. Then at the top it can get wet and rooty unless you ride the skinnies! I haven't been up there recently and don't know if the Northern Downhill lads have worked on these sections, I know that they have restored the Forest Dive which follows the fireroad junction at the bottom of Stumpy Hill (which I think is the junction Andy referred to) and is the downhill proper course. So, I'm just saying that the red route is my preferred choice for a fun day out because that suits my limited style, ability and hardtail..! Anyone else will do what they fancy  |
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Post by Killswitch73 on Sept 23, 2014 10:43:43 GMT
Thanks for all the info hodgy and Andy great info . missis does drive hodgy . she's also 34 weeks pregnant . I will go on my own for the 1st time to get familiar with the surroundings .might be going Friday as missis is out with her friend for most of the morning and afternoon until 3pm so will be good opportunity to go .
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Post by spacemonkey on Sept 23, 2014 10:43:53 GMT
Thanks everyone for the info Distance shouldn't be a problem it's just we've all been off the bikes for the last 6 weeks or so after doing the C2C and my trip to Hamsterley last week was a bit of a wake up on how unfit I was getting.
Can't wait to get up there to have a look at the place, I was looking at the cross border route with my Son when Ive got my cycle legs back.
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Post by andyr on Sept 23, 2014 11:22:45 GMT
Did someone say the cross border? www.strava.com/activities/94381794Will I get banned from this site if I do a linky back to a certain other site where I did a write up of the last time I did it? Ah, fortune favours the brave, here goes nothing, etc: www.mtbe.co.uk/kielder-cross-border-10th-nov-pics-t42512.html. Just a note: Some of the surface of the Lonesome Pine / Bloody Bush trail leaves a bit to be desired. The contractor ran out of funds before finishing it properly, then the economic downturn bit and it's never been properly surfaced. You have been warned. If you get there and have any queries pop into the bike shop - very helpful bunch of lads. EDIT: just remembered I uploaded a video of the blue Osprey trail to youtube: |
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Post by hodgy on Sept 23, 2014 11:37:11 GMT
Good write up on that other site ...nice pics...and an in depth review from the moderator ...!
Also a few familiar names from this site ...how times change!
By the way ..was it only me who found that bloody avatar totally irritating?
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Post by spacemonkey on Sept 23, 2014 12:34:37 GMT
Good stuff, I will have a good look later when I get home.
Cheers
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Post by hodgy on Sept 23, 2014 13:01:33 GMT
Was that the vid you originally had on the KTR site?
The good news is that there is more of the same as the trail has been extended since that was shot !
Nice of you to edit out the climbs !
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Post by hodgy on Sept 27, 2014 17:25:32 GMT
Killswitch & Spacemonkey
Did you make it here ...if so I would be interested in how you found it ?
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Post by spacemonkey on Sept 27, 2014 19:21:09 GMT
Going tomorrow morning mate.
Will let you know how it went.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 27, 2014 21:20:41 GMT
Sorry we'll miss you. Three of us had a good ride over to Bloody Bush today, 33k, some good climbs and great views. A bit of light rain on the way back but light winds and still a bit of warmth in the sunny spells. The forecast looks better for Sunday. This is the local weather station report. Hope you enjoy it whatever routes you choose to do. |
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Post by Killswitch73 on Sept 28, 2014 0:26:26 GMT
Killswitch & Spacemonkey Did you make it here ...if so I would be interested in how you found it ? I went today mate , it was a ball ache finding the second part of the red . you have to come back on yourself out of the castle car park altogether back on to main road and cross over and follow south shore signs and go to lake and go around lake until you come to suspension bridge and then its sign posted for the trail . all in all i enjoyed it but some of the climbs man are brutal specially on a 29er and you lose momentum as you cant pedal back up when stuck in the middle of the climbs as its just to rocky to get the grip to get a foothold on the bike . the climb upto stairway to heaven was just insane and i was fucked when i got to the top but the downs are worth it and would do this again . I think the loop would bore the hell out of me . I have gopro some vids but i will have to edit my foul spitting and swearing lol I did 17 miles altogether but want to do the bloody bush loop when i go again as today i didn't want the missis hanging around for getting back from down the leaplish water park (i went past that on the bike too and didnt see her lol) the bloody bush is just an add on at the top of stairway to heaven and gives another 5 miles to the ride or you can take the border ride into newcastleton . going again on the 18th for the demo day as they will have santa cruz and other bike but it will be a guided ride though . will still take my bike for after . really enjoyed it . I stopped loads to catch my breath back . Ignore the 4hr time as stava was still running when i met the misses and and little one back out of the car park after the first bit of red (deadwater) she told me the maze and castle for lily was shit so she decided to take the toll road to leaplish and then i went to do the lonesome pine , and then when i got back strava was still running after lonesome pine too and back into car park talking to missis outside bike shop. took me about 2 and half hours to do both red trails riding time. www.strava.com/activities/200196283 |
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Post by hodgy on Sept 28, 2014 7:16:40 GMT
Glad you enjoyed it ..
As can be seen a few of my mates were out today on the lonesome pine route ( see gramish's report )
I will be there on the 18 th .. So may see you there
Book a ride on the Santa Cruz 5010 c .. Without doubt the best trail bike I have ever ridden .
I'm going to re-read your post as I don't know which part you went wrong on!
Yeah ..got you now ..I suppose it isn't too obvious and the turnoff for the red at Lewisburn can easily be missed ( I used to kayak down this as a white water rapid prior to the reservoir being built as it was a fast flowing tributory of the North Tyne ... Now a sleepy little inlet with a bridge!)
I'm not surprised you feel shagged having done what you did .. Most folk would only do one of the routes !
Cheers
Neil
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Post by Killswitch73 on Sept 28, 2014 9:32:49 GMT
Glad you enjoyed it .. As can be seen a few of my mates were out today on the lonesome pine route ( see gramish's report ) I will be there on the 18 th .. So may see you there Book a ride on the Santa Cruz 5010 c .. Without doubt the best trail bike I have ever ridden . I'm going to re-read your post as I don't know which part you went wrong on! Yeah ..got you now ..I suppose it isn't too obvious and the turnoff for the red at Lewisburn can easily be missed ( I used to kayak down this as a white water rapid prior to the reservoir being built as it was a fast flowing tributory of the North Tyne ... Now a sleepy little inlet with a bridge!) I'm not surprised you feel shagged having done what you did .. Most folk would only do one of the routes ! Cheers Neil yea i spoke to bike shop owner and he was telling me that there will be santa cruz 5010c there on 18th ..him saying it's a guided ride how far will they go then ? hope it's not the first bit of red than only lasts 40 mins slow pace . might book the 5010c then in medium .shame santa cruz not being there though .the devil in me still wants to try an orange 5 and see what all the fuss is about as to me they look dog ugly .. only 1 I have seen with pics so far that actually looks nice and that's burtonuk in black and kashima , looks so much nicer wity 29er wheels .but then who would pass up a santa cruz as i will never be able to afford one of them . |
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Post by bettyswollox on Sept 28, 2014 9:51:20 GMT
Boring trail centre tracks do not entertain me at all.
Love all the secret/unoffical tracks at hamsterley and the natural steep techy tracks at Thrunton
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Post by hodgy on Sept 28, 2014 9:57:45 GMT
Boring trail centre tracks do not entertain me at all. Love all the secret/unoffical tracks at hamsterley and the natural steep techy tracks at Thrunton Do you really think that there is no secret stuff at Kielder then ....we have tons of it .. You just need a friendly local to show you ! |
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Post by hodgy on Sept 28, 2014 10:00:41 GMT
Glad you enjoyed it .. As can be seen a few of my mates were out today on the lonesome pine route ( see gramish's report ) I will be there on the 18 th .. So may see you there Book a ride on the Santa Cruz 5010 c .. Without doubt the best trail bike I have ever ridden . I'm going to re-read your post as I don't know which part you went wrong on! Yeah ..got you now ..I suppose it isn't too obvious and the turnoff for the red at Lewisburn can easily be missed ( I used to kayak down this as a white water rapid prior to the reservoir being built as it was a fast flowing tributory of the North Tyne ... Now a sleepy little inlet with a bridge!) I'm not surprised you feel shagged having done what you did .. Most folk would only do one of the routes ! Cheers Neil yea i spoke to bike shop owner and he was telling me that there will be santa cruz 5010c there on 18th ..him saying it's a guided ride how far will they go then ? hope it's not the first bit of red than only lasts 40 mins slow pace . might book the 5010c then in medium .shame santa cruz not being there though .the devil in me still wants to try an orange 5 and see what all the fuss is about as to me they look dog ugly .. only 1 I have seen with pics so far that actually looks nice and that's burtonuk in black and kashima , looks so much nicer wity 29er wheels .but then who would pass up a santa cruz as i will never be able to afford one of them . Don't know the exact route .. But the official re- opening of the closed section on Deadwater opens that day ..and that will be included |
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Post by bettyswollox on Sept 28, 2014 10:08:10 GMT
Boring trail centre tracks do not entertain me at all. Love all the secret/unoffical tracks at hamsterley and the natural steep techy tracks at Thrunton Do you really think that there is no secret stuff at Kielder then ....we have tons of it .. You just need a friendly local to show you ! At which point did i say there wasnt any secret stuff at kielder :S?  |
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Post by bettyswollox on Sept 28, 2014 10:08:45 GMT
But once I have a trail bike again, I will take u up on ur offer  |
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Post by hodgy on Sept 28, 2014 10:41:03 GMT
No probs...it would be my pleasure
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