I quite like the alternative to the Honister Pass road although as John H says you do lose a bit of the descent (but that section is fairly nondescript).

The climb is slightly different to the Bogtrotters. You take an easy grassy track rising up and right from the road opposite the big layby just above Seatoller. This then switches back left onto a loose rocky section and eventually you get to a very steep grassy climb to join the bridleway from the pass. Nice technical climb and mostly rideable.

I thought it was shown as a legal bridleway on my map.

Mike / Ally how about 10am for a 10.30 start at Wilfs yard? Doesn't want to be much later to get it all done TBH

I'll be staying at yours on Saturday night if thats okay? By the looks of things there is only going to be us two!!!

As for Kirry the only downer for me is the 160 miles home straight after, but why not see how we feel as Saturday is a very big day!!!!

Are you coming up on your own?

Hi Dave, Ally, 10am Staveley good for me.

Dave, you're very welcome to stay at mine - don't feel obliged to though, the forecast's looking shite for Sunday up there atm. May change tho! Not so much rain in Lakes by the look of it, so we could always change plans and stay down there. Will bring tent in case anyway. I'm up tonight, so will give you a bell tomorrow.

Yep, just me coming up this time - there's a big trip out to n wales this weekend planned months back.

There you go Ally.

I might be trying to join, whether I meet you at the top of gatesgarth from my house or at staveley i'm not too sure. It's also Gilly's birthday weekend, so may be impounded. Will let you know nearer the day.

Nice one Simon

Steve, I'm surprised you're not up for a 3 passes challenge!!??

I trust Swinley is riding as sweetly as Epping atm ...

Been wet,wet,wet today. Nith is about to flood and fields are flooded/saturated

Glad I went biking yesterday

Q for our Peaks friends...best/easiest way for me to get from Dumfries to Sheffield/Hope?

testing time

John H:

Quickest and most picturesque route: 

To Hope: M74, M6, M61, M60 (E), M67, A57 then TR at Ladybower Reservoir on A6013 to Bamford then TR A6187 to Hope.

To sheffield just stay on the A57.

Are you going all that way for a frame?

Swinley was fast last night. On my own but getting familiary with the area and some of the trails.

3 cols sounds great, but I need to spend some time with Ann as we are only together 2 days per week at the moment. Have a great one!

Stev W..Yes & No.

Wife wants a weekend away, I fancy a look at the Pig, 18Bikes plan to have a demo built by 1st weekend in Oct.  We have booked a hotel in Sheffield via wifes work contacts. By then wife should be the proud owner of her first mountain bike, a Specialised Myka. She is unlikely to ever tackle more than green/blue routes but at least she is going to have a go. Need advice on very easy/flat/short routes around Ladybower or other places in the area. Cafe to cafe preffered

3 passes in a day Garburn, Gatesgarth & Nan Bield

Fanbloodytastic, Garburn two dabs, Gatesgarth a big push, Nan Bield an even bigger bloody push but all worth it for the descents!!!!

Cheers Mike & Ally cracking day the first bottle of Stella didn't touch the sides when I got home

Cracking weather pity we didn't meet up with Simon but never mind.

Would I do it again - definetly

Oi! thems my hills

5 nights down 2 to go!

JH - Nothing much flat in the Peak! A Lap of Derwent and Howden reservoirs seems just the ticket. You could add in a bit of Ladybower too but that probably is too much. Either way is good fun. Clockwise gives you the road to start which might be good for a warm-up. Make sure you don't miss the crossing below Derwent Dam on your return otherwise you will be in the dog house (The road cuts back sharp right at a junction - fine so long as you are aware)

Free parking here if you get there early enough: http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?x=417232&y=389175&z=120&sv=417232,389175&st=4&ar=y&mapp=map.srf&searchp=ids.srf&dn=667&ax=417232&ay=389175&lm=0

There is a small visitor centre just up the road at Fairholmes and has an OK kiosk for hot snacks and drinks.

Dave, Mike and Ally - Sounds like a superb expedition. How long did it take all in all?

Shim think of the money

Steve just short of 6 hours followed by a Latte and bacon butty in Wilfs yum yum

Glad you all had a good day out, it was certainly the better day for weather.

Sorry to have missed you, I set off early from the house and bagged three peaks before getting to the top of Nan Bield. I don't know why but I had it in my head you would do gatesgarth first, if I had thought about it a little bit more, I would have realised that would mean going up Garburn the wrong way, doh!!

After speaking to you guys I carried on with my cheeky trail route and came off Gatesgarth to the Haweswater Car park, then home along the roads. 30miles of riding plus about 5 miles of hike a bike I reckon, more of an adventure than a bike ride.

Will definitely see you all at GMBC, not sure I will be camping but will see what happens.

Were has the link/image button gone?(using firefox?)

Down there

                      Look who was daft enough to follow me on an "adventure" today;