The Lake District: best riding in the UK?

The Lake District: best riding in the UK?
This is the ride I have been waiting for, getting back up to the Lake District to ride two proper good descents. Both are pretty full on but for different reasons, the first because of the exposure and the second because of, well, you'll see.
This was a group ride with a few mates who are lucky enough to still live up there, none of whom have any interest in KZbin whatsoever, probably because they think it's full of cat videos.
Funnily enough, Lake District videos never seem to perform too well for me, possibly because it's a long way for a lot of people to travel to. It truly is the best riding in the UK though and everyone should make the effort to get there, as often as they can.

[@HallMarc_Trails]

Bloody awesome mate, loved it, people will want to stop you and take a photo before you know it....oh, they already do 😂 cracking vid mate, didn't seem like 20 mins, some really sketchy bits, especially the third person part of you riding that technical section, great advert for orange too 👍😀

[@Stopadoodledoo]

I was genuinely stunned when that lady wanted to take our photo, I thought she was taking the piss 😀. This is one of my favourite loops; they are the trails that just keep on giving 👍

[@Bigcheese360]

Mint vid mate, got me looking forward to dryer days

[@Stopadoodledoo]

Thanks; I am looking forward to the weather picking up too. Funnily enough, this loop isn't too bad in the wet (being the Lakes, it's usually wet anyway).

[@Bigcheese360]

@@Stopadoodledoo Now that I can relate to. I’m over in the Yorkshire dales myself. So riding in the dry is more out my comfort zone then the wet haha.

[@TProStudioCreate]

That was stellar man! Both look like they make for an epic ride! And the views from this spot is so good! Awesome video buddy

[@Stopadoodledoo]

It’s the best riding on Earth mate. I may be biased though 😂

[@docspuddin]

Brilliant video, I do love the lakes do you have a route of the second half of the vid i could look at looks very flowy

[@Stopadoodledoo]

Hi Steve, you can find the route on my Strava account (Jason Thomas - based in Chester). To be honest, none of it is particularly flowy; there are sections of the Satura Crag trail that are but then all of a sudden you're faced with a ton of rocks - that's what makes the Lakes so good. Keensy (who rode with me on this day) said that he found Seldom Seen easier going than Satura Crag/Boredale Hause, if that's anything to go by. 👍

[@docspuddin]

@@Stopadoodledoo Got it thank you ,perfect as a trip up Helvellyn is all but over in 3 hours if you inc seldom so this a a nice bit off an add on, thanks you

[@ElectricMountainBiker]

Stunning riding! But even better views, as you say epic. Really getting to see your riding now in the videos. Nope still going back to those views 😍 This is your best video to date. Beautiful mate, well done all as well you did amazing 👏

[@Stopadoodledoo]

Cheers mate; I tried to persuade you to get out of bed early to join us but noooo..... you wanted to watch Swap Shop instead. Maybe next time you'll listen 😂

[@ElectricMountainBiker]

@@Stopadoodledoo 🤣🤣 so true as well! I never get stopped to have my picture taken you superstar 😎

[@RCFunEveryday]

Really enjoying going through your channel Jason, counting down the days to collecting my first mountain bike for about 12-13 years, ordered a 2021 Trek Remedy 8. Fingers crossed I get to try out some of these places! To give me a bit of perspective, how long roughly does it take you to cycle/push up here for how long riding back down?

[@Stopadoodledoo]

Thanks Dan. With this one, it's a bit of a trek up. You can ride as far as the Youth Hostel above Glenridding but it's then a push up Sticks. Think it took us just shy of an hour to get to the top of Seldom Seen. The second climb up Harter Fell took about a similar time and from where you turn off, it's mostly rideable on the ups (and all rideable on the downs). Chuffed for you getting a new bike, good choice too. You're going to notice a massive difference in the bikes of today compared to 12-13 years ago; it almost feels like cheating nowadays in comparison 😃

[@RCFunEveryday]

@@Stopadoodledoo that's roughly what I was thinking, obviously my fitness is very low at the moment, food is far too accessible and free at work lol, looking forward to getting back into it now, can't wait to collect it.

[@daveandmerlin]

Looks an amazing place ! Orange is the bike for sure !

[@Stopadoodledoo]

Some of the best trails anywhere in my eyes, the Lakes is covered with them although not all are that obvious and not too well published. As for Orange bikes, this is my sixth; I love them. Prior to this (in fact I still have it) was a 2007 Strange Alpine Five that I was riding until last February and it still fared well against far newer bikes 👍

[@daveandmerlin]

@@Stopadoodledoo I will have to do some riding in the lakes next year . I live in the South ...get up to Scotland a couple of times a year and North Wales to Revolution bikepark etc . To be honest when it comes to going away for biking I generally go to the Alps every Summer but should make more of an effort to see the amazing stuff we have here in the UK . As for the Orange ...I love them and how they ride ....i had a Stage 6 and it really was a weapon of a bike but unfortunately cracked and a few other niggles . Put me off Orange but I can defo see me getting another one for sure ! I've got a Cotic Rocketmax and it's a Monster on the downs but I defo miss the feel of the Orange !

[@Stopadoodledoo]

I reckon that if you know where to go, the Lakes has riding that is up there with that in the Alps, it's just that you have to earn the descents by riding/pushing up first, and the weather can be grotty no matter what time of year you go. I think I've been lucky with Orange bikes so far; they definitely aren't everyone's cup of tea but I love the way they ride.

[@richardhuntington1393]

I get to the lakes as often as I can, but it's never often enough. Looked a great ride, never done any of it before, so will put it on the bucket list. If you ever consider doing it again, I'd love to tag along.

[@Stopadoodledoo]

Hi Richard. I wish I could get to the Lakes more often too but alas, it's not really been possible this summer with one thing or another (partly because it's been too busy up there to even contemplate). I will do this loop again at some point, but there's so many to go at up there than I don't know when it will be. At some point in the future, I'll try and organise a subs ride and it will definitely be somewhere up in the Lakes 👍

[@richardhuntington1393]

@@Stopadoodledoo that would be great. I'd like to get to know more routes, but tend to stick to the ones I know are good, dollywagon and such like. I'll be back up next month to get my fix. Regards, Rick.

[@Stopadoodledoo]

Dollywaggon's an odd one. I do like it but it's a bugger to get right and does beat you up. I usually see it as the best way (well, bridleway) to get to the incredible descent to Patterdale, past the climbers hut, one of my favourites off Helvellyn. I have done Rigg Beck a couple of times and that's good but leaves you feeling battered; Seldom Seen is an absolute gem though. Another absolute blinder is to climb up from Grisedale Tarn onto Fairfield and descend towards Rydal, dropping down to Alcock Tarn and the track from there down to the bottom of the valley. But that's all footpath so of course, I would never recommend anyone to go and try it 😏

[@richardhuntington1393]

@@Stopadoodledoo the route past the climbing hut to Patterdale is a favourite of mine, did it a fortnight ago in the pouring rain. I've never ridden any footpaths in the lakes, always too many ramblers wanting to have a go. It's the same in the peak district of Derbyshire, where I normally ride.

[@TrailBlazer-be]

Jow sick dude!!! Are you riding full face now? With chin mount? Looks amazing btw! So nice trails! With some gnarly spots on it! Keep it up! 😜🤟

[@Stopadoodledoo]

Thanks mate. I use a Stuntman chest harness, which allows you to mount the camera pretty high up; I rarely wear a full facer as I just find them uncomfortable - got to have the face out in case random women want to take photos :D

[@TrailBlazer-be]

Hahha nice mate! 😜 Feel ya on the part of the fotos! 😜🤟

[@Neph-v5r]

I live 10mins from there, although you've probably done it I highly recommend carrying the bike up Place Fell & doing the descent down to Sandwick.

[@Stopadoodledoo]

I haven't Steve, but will put it on the list. Thanks 👍

[@dexterfletcher2481]

Fcuking great vid pal....what a place !! That’s proper riding mate . Oh.....and Bollocks to the Killjoys who have dissed you ... keep up the good work mate 👍

[@Stopadoodledoo]

Cheers mate. I did expect some flack for riding on footpaths, it’s a subject that is pretty heated so all good. I’d rather people spoke up than kept quiet and their opinions are just as important as mine, even if they differ. I am worried about the police coming to arrest me for breaking the law though 😂

[@yourmtblocal]

In your element there for sure! Funny and great riding as always! Too many walkers for me but they all seemed to get out the way and were happy. Beats the trail center I can see what you mean now would love to do a lakes ride I like that one day!

[@Stopadoodledoo]

It’s just so awesome up there; huge views, huge hills, long descents, the lot. It’s always busy with walkers but more so at the moment but yeah, they are almost always friendly and to be honest, the descents are that long that you don’t mind stopping to give way. Every mountain biker should make a trip up there. Be sure to let me know when you do and I’ll show you around 👍

[@yourmtblocal]

@@Stopadoodledoo Cheers mate nice to know I've got a guide if I ever manage to get up there! 👍

[@NoobMTB]

Well done sir! Excellent watch, gonna try and head up in the next few weeks 👍🏽

[@Stopadoodledoo]

Cheers mate, you definitely won’t regret going as there is awesome riding wherever you look 👍

[@MTB_Trekker]

Fantastic stuff mate. Need to do this I think.

[@Stopadoodledoo]

Yes, you do; I shall make it so. I see you picked the more sweary one 😂

[@MTB_Trekker]

@@Stopadoodledoo naturally 😂😂

[@MTB_Derbyshire]

This is a proper ride, full on out there biking. Such stunning scenes. Interesting you mentioned about carbon frames... my thoughts are exactly the same. The constant rock strikes you get in places like the Lakes and the Peak District would make me shudder with a carbon frame. That's one reason I went with the steel of the Cotic.

[@Stopadoodledoo]

Years ago, when carbon was still quite new for mountain bike frames, a bunch of mates down South bought them and they were fantastic down there. When they took them up to the Lakes, however, the failure rate was horrific - mainly through rock strikes I would assume. I know they are different nowadays but the fact that many come with a plastic bash guard on the downtube makes me suspicious. Totally unfounded, but I will be sticking with metal bikes for some time yet 👍

[@MTB_Derbyshire]

@@Stopadoodledoo totally with you!

[@Krakenie]

Loved this video mate. Amazing trails

[@Stopadoodledoo]

Cheers Chris. If you've not been to the Lakes (a long way from Brighton, I know), you really should make the effort as it's just awesome 👍

[@brianblessedsbeard]

This is a great video, two of the best trails in the country! Making me yearn for dry lakes trails now though :-(

[@Stopadoodledoo]

Thanks mate. I am just yearning for ANY Lakes trails at the moment 😃

[@lonewolfmtb5060]

Great video and very funny 😄

[@Stopadoodledoo]

Thanks mate. One of my favourite rides of last year, especially as it was the first time back up in the Lakes after the first lockdown 👍

[@mtbtrailshunt3401]

Awesome video!!!

[@Stopadoodledoo]

Thanks mate. This is one of my favourite Lakes rides. Big old hike-a-bikes up but paid back in dividends by the descents, which go on for ages!

[@mtbguides_Rich]

Nice vid 👍, great commentary 😀

[@Stopadoodledoo]

Thanks, really appreciate your comment. The location makes it easy to create a nice video, the commentary is due to my inability to shut up 😀. I’m a fan of your videos, seems we have a shared interest in exploring away from the bridleways

[@Neph-v5r]

Another good video of my local area. I've only done Seldom Seen once & it scared the sh*t out of me plus we made the monumentally stupid decision to go from High Row over the Dodds which was a hateful wet boggy unrideable nightmare (should have gone up either Kepple Cove or Greenside Mines) I work down at Howtown & Angle Tarn etc are nearby. The descent you did from Boredale Hause is a sanitised horror show now so if I drop into Patterdale I usually go left to end up at Hartsop, its not techy but you can get some proper speed up (I always go early or late as its packed with walkers during the day). My favorite descent is from Boredale up to Place Fell summit & descend down to Sandwick which has a bit of everything. Its 'officially' a footpath but get there early evening & you dont see anyone at all. I can finish work at 2pm & be on Place Fell summit by 3:30 & done by 5pm, another good way is to go up over Beda Fell through Bannerdale, its a good techy descent down to Boredale Hause then up Place Fell.

[@Stopadoodledoo]

I actually didn't mind the descent off Boredale, it's not as bad as others that have been sanitised (Dollywaggon for instance, is evil) but not sure I would want to do it on a hardtail 👍

[@Neph-v5r]

@@Stopadoodledoo I can agree there mate from 'not pleasant' experience. Ive done both the Boredale to Bridgend and Dollywagon Pike descents on my Orange 120 Hardtail. Boredale was just a boneshaking nightmare but Dollywagon was pure hell. Well, the parts I was able to ride as I walked a lot of it, why anyone would want to do Dollywagon more than once is beyond me, its proper sh*t. Living in the Lakes & riding the hardtail for 2yrs before building the Full Suss in June means ive ridden pretty much all the guidebook stuff & plenty of other 'non bridleway' stuff up here but the Bird full suss is a complete gamechanger. I was going to keep the hardtail for long cross country days in Yorkshire which I love doing & less techy Lakes stuff but the Bird does the lot (even climbing) better, faster & comfier (I'm 48 now & need comfy :D ) So i'm selling the hardtail , I really like it & its a fantastic bike but it'll just never get used & as i'm still on furlough the cash will come in handy.

[@johnparkes2994]

Certainly see why you missed that place, stunning scenery and stunning trails👍, will have to put it on my to do list defiantly.

[@Stopadoodledoo]

It’s a beauty John, definitely one to add to the list 👍

[@derekmidghall7562]

Brilliant video if that doesnt make you wanna ride your already dead

[@Stopadoodledoo]

Thanks Derek; the riding up there is something else, always worth the long car journey and the effort climbing up. The Lakes never disappoints 👍

Like video hé lô ❤️😃👍💖💓

[@Stopadoodledoo]

Thanks, much appreciated 👍

[@esmeben]

Cracking

[@Stopadoodledoo]

Cheers mate. I had a bloody fantastic day and hopefully it comes across in the video 👍

[@esmeben]

@@Stopadoodledoo It did !! What you said about sanitising the trails is so true, I live near Ludlow and motorbike trail ride as well as mtb and around here the council has done the same, I think they do it to make them boring as much as to extend there life :-(

[@protarget1]

Old Vid, but suggesting "The Lake District: best riding in the UK? clearly you you haven't ridden in the Scottish Highlands. where you have rthe right to roam. Meaning you can ride anywhere you want to on open land., but doing it with responsibility. ;-)

[@Stopadoodledoo]

Hi mate. I haven't ridden in the Highlands but it would have to be damned good to beat the Lakes (I may be biased as I am originally from there). To be fair, the title does have a question mark at the end. As for the right to roam, rightly or (probably wrongly) I kind of do anyway but always ride responsibly, giving way to walkers, etc. 👍

[@brettgrieves]

Why have you advertisted riding a footpath? You do realise its illegal to ride a footpath and youve advertisted to it the whole world. Tool!! No wonder we mountain bikers get a bad rep, with fame seekers like yourself, giving us all a bad name. That trail is lovely, BUT it should be kept quiet, Not advertised on the largest video platform on the planet.

[@Stopadoodledoo]

I think you over-estimate how many views this will get and how many will ride it. Do you get as eggy about every video which features footpaths or just the ones you feel are yours to ride? How about cheeky trails that feature in a lot of the big channels; does that boil your piss too?

[@7kartman2]

I’m with Brett on this one. Looks like you’ve shared it on Facebook too. Just go have fun, ride your bike, enjoy it for what it is, you don’t need to make silly videos, your no Vloger,

[@Stopadoodledoo]

Ah well, you’re never going to please everyone.

[@amandagoode596]

It's not illegal in the sense of being an offence, it is civil trespass against the landowner. That's probably how that footpath came into being - walkers trespassing until it was deemed to have been dedicated.