Today's weather forecasts promised a great improvement after midday, including a lowering of the high wind speed and even sunshine, so with this in mind I decided to head on one of the highest mountain bike routes I know in the Lake District.
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| Grey and windy on Coniston Water |
The Walna Scar road is a rough track (old road) built to link Coniston to the Duddon Valley and provide access to the old slate quarries on both sides. Its a pretty high and exposed route (600m) and courted controversy a good few years back when it was closed to motorised vehicles/4x4's (but this doesn't seem to stop dirt bikers!).
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| The famous Walna Scar road |
When I set off the wind speeds were very high even in the valley. I cycled past Torver alongside Coniston Water and dawdled thinking its going to be hard work battling the wind high up. As I got off the road and onto the rough track beyond the high car park luckily the wind didn't seem too problematic.
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| Still a long way to go |
Its a beautiful ride as you gradually gain height (I admit I had to push a good few bits), with fantastic views of the Old Man of Coniston and Dow Crag. Even though I'm sure I've been over it before on my bike I couldn't remember it, and it went on for much further (and higher) than I thought!
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| Sensible sheep sheltering in the old mine ruins (I was too!) |
As I reached the top/pass there were some old snow patches, but I didn't linger as the wind was fierce! Dropping steeply down towards the Duddon Valley I had to lean about 45 degree's into the wind so I wasn't blown off the track.
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| Playing in the sunny forest |
It got more pleasant as I turned South off the Walna Scar road at the old mine workings and spoil heaps to take the brilliant bridleway to the forests that start at Natty Bridge, where finally the sun came out and I enjoyed the views, and last half an hour sheltered from the earlier wind.
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