Mountain Biking High Street North July 2010 – Lakeland Classic
04/08/2010 18:58:32
After ninety days of pouring rain, well it feels like that anyway… The sun could be seen glimmering through the clouds. A previous failed attempt at Highstreet meant this was an opportunity to “man up” and head into the High Fells for a serious day in the mountains, followed by a “spin” along the dreaded Ullswater East Shore. The view from the climb (in the car this time) over Kirkstone pass is always impressive, as you realise your getting away from the hordes in Windermere and Ambleside. 
The route kicks off from Hartsop before heading straight up via Hayeswater, to the top of High Street. This is a serious climb at the start turning into a thigh stretching push as you climb the final push onto the old roman road. Legs dully shattered, you traverse along the ridge enjoying incredible views over what is somewhat vague terrain. Good weather is essential, SatNav strongly recommended. Eventually the route drops down to the northern end of Ullswater, this is an outstanding descent, but a real nerve wrecker to ride fast. The terrain constantly changes from rocks, peaty drops and serious ruts. I’ve rarely ridden such a changeable trail, which required constant attention and serious commitment at times. Looking at any section in isolation you’d think it was easy, but stitch together drops into ruts, into rocks, into more ruts and you have the perfect recipe for a high speed over the bars ‘ejection’. Top fun. Once you’ve reached the shore of Ullswater you head south, mainly following the bridleway which roughly follows the line of the shore. Take a breather, suck up the amazing views of Helvellyn, life’s about to get difficult. 
The trail nips around the back of a hill, before you rejoin the shore at Martindale. There is a bridleway, which we refer to simply as the “East Shore of Ullswater”. This is one, if not the most technical trails in the Lake District. A mixture of rocks, evil roots and rocky steps laden with drop offs. It’s genuinely a trail were you know more about yourself at the end than the start. I survived on my beloved hardtail with two pinch flats, last time I rode it I left blood and skin on the trail, so I was pleased to ride all the technical obstacles (at least down hill) with the odd dab. I’ve heard rumours of trail gods cleaning the uphill sections as well, but this is well beyond my abilities.     “clicky clicky to ZOOM the images…” Arriving back at Hartsop we’ve covered only 21 miles, but the pair of us are totally wrecked, both physically and mentally. This is what its all about!
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