Sunday 30 May, 2010: Tour of Coniston

Our 6:30am start from Warwick meant that the roads were deserted and we made great progress, stopping for a much needed (and ridiculously expensive) breakfast bap and coffee at Lancaster Services, where we bumped into hockey club legend John Slatford!

From there, we continued to make good progress (fuelled by some Wasabi peas!), skirting to the south of Windermere before heading north again to find a car park off the A5084 slightly to the north of Water Yeat.

After Hedd abandoned is latest tubeless attempt and installed an inner tube, we were away by 10:30am, and heading south on tarmac before turning westwards at Blawith and heading over some great singletrack across the Blawith Fells. This section ended with a fun doubletrack blast before we picked up minor roads to Torver.

From Torver we headed skywards on really steep and painful tarmac to get us up to Broughton Moor. From here we found a great section of woodland singletrack before heading upwards again on a fireroad which kept to the right of the River Lickle.

Colgie climbs the Lickle valley, with a view over Duddon Sands and out to sea at his back

When we reached the end of the path, we paused briefly to allow some boys on motor bikes to pass before heading down on the opposite bank of the river towards Stephenson Ground. This was a great little descent, with lots of features to keep us honest and some great switchbacks.

From here I persuaded Colgie that we should do the full extended loop, so we headed around towards Carter Ground and then on some real wilderness singletrack.

Colgie on the wilderness singletrack near Carter Ground

This eventually (after a brief mechanical stop to sort Colgie's jammed chain) led us to Brock Barrow and the awesome rockfest of a descent to Seathwaite.

Colgie embarks on the awesome descent to Seathwaite

This descent was a step-up in technicality for us, and when we reached the bottom we were both suffering from 'armpump' so we headed to the Newfield Inn beer garden for a pint of Ennerdale Blonde and a Lamb Henry with chips! We were knackered.... and roughly halfway!
After a long break, we inevitably had to get going again and we both knew that meant the pain of the Walna Scar Road climb. No matter how much you prepare yourself for this, it's always really tough. the majority is a push, with only a limited number of opportunities to ride and a morale crushing view of the path disappearing skyward ahead.

Colgie struggling with the Walna Scar climb

We only rested once at approaximately the halfway point to eat the flapjacks that Emma (Riley) had kindly made for us.

There's only one reason to suffer a climb like that, and the Walna Scar Road descent did not disappoint. Long, steep in places with rocky drops and switchbacks, views, grassy sections and 100% rideable.... in short.... absolutely everything you could wish for!

Colgie on some of the Walna Scar switchbacks


Colgie flat out on the Walna Scar descent

The last section of the descent to Coniston was not without incident either, with Hedd going over the bars and landing heavily on hands, arm and ribs - a good day to be wearing pads!

We had a brief stop at the garage in Coniston to refill our Camelbacks with water, and then we were off again on minor roads around the north end of Coniston Water. In no time at all we were onto bridleways again but by this time, every climb was a tough climb (particularly for Colgie since his granny ring was unusable and hanging by only one remaining bolt!).

We eventually gained the ridge and headed towards Low Parkamoor with awesome views over Coniston Water towards the Old Man of Coniston (unfotunately I was too tired to get the camera out at this stage!).

The final descent of an epic day did not disappoint. Once again the descent to High Nibthwaite had everything, with some really challenging rocky sections which would have been tough even if we'd been anywhere near fresh, let alone after nearly seven hours in the saddle.

Colgie on the descent to High Nibthwaite

Hedd had managed a full-on day without any sign of a puncture, so it shouldn't have been a surprise to hear a hiss from the rear tyre just 10 yards short of the final gate to the road. It was changed quickly with only minor mutterings and after a gentle spin on some minor roads we were back at the car.

The Bank Holiday Monday meant that the Sunday night roads were quiet and we were back for 10pm.

What a day - an absolute epic - it does not get any better than this!

Here's a selection of headcam footage from the ride....

....and the route (although we started at the southern end of Coniston Water rather than in Coniston itself)....