I was a bit of a sceptic when this was passed for planning because i didnt deem keswick to need a trail centre considering its abundance of great trails elsewhere.

Well i will eat my hat now because these days i come away from the spot thinking it has just about nailed every facility i can think of that a biker wants.

It is not causing any traffic troubles (Other than the fact its a pain to drive through braithwaite anyhow).  It is far enough out of Keswick to not blight any landscape.  It has a resteraunt, GO APE, bike shop, bike hire etc etc.  The trails, although not huge can now be ridden as a day ride to challenge anything at the other centres (I could ride a 20+mls loop and not do two sections twice).

Now the thing that i have been most impressed with is their attention to the trail.  You can tell that they are listening because just about every comment i have made about the trail seems to get addressed quite quickly (Not saying they are listening to me but they do seem to react to common sense issues).  Things like the roots that were in dangerous situations and causing multiple crashes, dissapeared very quickly or were packed with rocks so they could be rolled.  Sounds like dulling the trail but it wasnt, they were seriously dangerous to even experienced riders.  They have also made very good use of materials to the extent where it is bedding in very nicely and not cutting up despite the high volumes of riders.  I see more people on the trail on a thursday night ride than i see on the black at glentress in the summer.  Its turning into a fantastic ride which is technical enough to keep you interested and with the bonus of some fantastci views.

Now it seems their training setup is gonna be the envy of everywhere else as well.

The more i see of the place the more impressed i am.

P.s i still think there is better riding elsewhere in the lakes

I was up there last week and have to say I was impressed with th facilities. I found the North Trail? (the one with the bermed descent behind the VC) was very wet despite it being a really sunny day. had I been a lot fitter I think I would have enjoyed the descnts a lot more. I am looking forward to going back if only for the date crumble!

I makes me think how places like Hamsterley are missing out as they seem to have far more land to play with yet th FC seems to be hapy charging more for parking every year, employing grumpy staff and not really improving any facilities.

Give me a shout next time your up.

Its a funny trail.  You would think it would be a lot grippier if it was dry but it isnt.  Granted the off camber rocky sections are easier but then other sections get very slippy and loose in the dry so you have to concentrate.  I fall off as much in the dry as i do in the wet.

Make sure you include the new blue, its a very good addition

I will be mostly in the lakes for th next 3 days

May venture into Whinlatter but fancy a re ride of Fleetwith Pike descending into Warnscale Bottom. Or maybe Ennerdale via Floutern Tarn and back over Scarth Gap.

Choices choices