Ulswater loop – 20km 250m (Strava Estimate)
After the long drive up we finally arriving at the New Ing Lodge in the quaint village of Shap, just off the M6 on the side of the Far Eastern Fells and were all made to feel very welcome by Emma and Scott the owners. Eager to ride, we quick changed into our finest MTB kit and followed our guide Charley in the vans for a few miles to a moor top carpark by Helton.
A quick bit of obligatory faffing ensued before riding up on to Askham Moor, where in the small crags and bomb holes we did our best to impress our guide with our ‘advanced’ riding skills, before heading up west towards Pooley Bridge. The first part of the terrain was grassy, which gave way to a gentle stoney climb and the reward of impressive views of the mountains that rose from Ullswater’s shores.
At the Cockpit, a small stone circle at the top of the moor, our eyes were drawn away from the majesty of the hills to the long narrow ribbon of track that’s known as the Howetown descent. Here the ‘downhilling’ commenced. A rocky but not too technical blast for about a mile, before we ground to a halt for more faffing as Andy T thought it was best to remove his tyre valve with his pump, while 2 others repaired pinch flats. The score on the day: Tubes nil, Tubeless 3. Though it could be argued Andrew scored an own goal for the tubed team.
Another half mile single track shredding and we found ourselves crossing a small beck and onto the comfort of tarmac for a little ‘roadie’ing’as we skirted along Ullswater to Pooley Bridge. Too much relief of the straight barred brigade, after a short road climb we were back up on Askham Moor and back down to the vehicles for some post ride faffing and a return to New Ing Lodge for dinner & beer.
By Craige Goodson