The Blue trails are great to ride with the kids

Whinlatter and Grizedale Forest are terrific Mountain Bike centres. Boasting two of the few mountain forests remaining in Great Britain, the Forestry Commission have encouraged the creation of some stunning trails with amazing views and exhilarating slopes. We love following pre-set trails, but SplashMaps Mountain Biking in the Lakes means you can guide yourself which is much more rewarding.  See our video

Self Guided can lead to more exhilarating views

We prepared for the trip by visiting Keswick Bikes and stocking up on spares. They favour our Lake District North West (best for Whinlatter and the other Derwent Fells) and North East Maps (Skiddaw Forest and east to Penrith) to cover their favorite SplashMaps slopes. The blue slopes at Whinlatter were just about right for our tribe. Our youngest at 8 was motivated to complete all 4.6 miles of the Blue circular route. Our 11 year old … well we probably should have hired a Cyclewise bike for her to really appreciate the sweeping turns on properly suspended wheels and disc brakes.

Craig at Cyclewise (the cycle centre serving the forest) loved his SplashMaps and already shares our Lake District series SplashMaps with other tour leaders around the country. They all “love the maps” and think the idea is “genius”, he told me after our tour. He’s after a biiiiiig map to mark on all his favourite challenges around the country. Our bespoke option will work well for him… give us the details Criag!

Grizedale is covered on our Ambleside map. It was great to sweep through the red routes (Dad’s day of fun!). Amazing wooden raised trails and high boulders restored my faith in my balance on two wheels (though I did explode one tyre). Great to talk with Sam, accomplished Fell Runner and MTB leader.

Flacid bike tyres. Can happen to anyone 😉

She quickly pointed out that my tyres were too under-pressured for these rocks and I tended to use the saddle too much! Not the first time 😉