JennRide 2025

JennRide 2025: South Lakes Adventure with Ian Varley

76 miles · 10,000 ft of climbing · One epic bivvy sunrise

There’s Something About JennRide

The weather was hot and humid.

There’s something special about the 100-mile JennRide that keeps me coming back to the South Lakes year after year. Now in my eighth edition, each ride brings its own kind of magic. In 2025, over 200 bikepackers came together to experience the JennRide exploring new trails, forming new friendships, and chasing that elusive off-grid freedom.

This year, my riding companion was Ian Varley. Saul and Sal were off enjoying Austria, Rich was doing the soft gravel version, and Lewis was out with man flu. So it was just the two of us.

Bike Setup: Steel, Titanium, and a Bit of DIY

I went with my trusty rigid Van Nicholas—a titanium workhorse I’ve had for years. Light, responsive, and bombproof on climbs, it’s a bike I know inside out.

Ian brought his steel Cotic, recently converted to a rigid setup by Cyclefast. It’s a classic British trail machine solid, capable, and surprisingly agile with bikepacking gear.

We both kept our setups simple with soft bags and no unnecessary extras. Ian had some issues with his saddle bag buckle and charging his Wahoo, but overall, our rigs were dialled for what lay ahead.

Friday, 20th June – Into the Fells

An early afternoon drive to Staveley kicked things off. By the time we reached the campsite, the sunshine was blazing. I suggested we start the ride that evening, aiming to finish Saturday night and avoid the forecasted rain. Ian agreed, so we sorted our kit and rolled out at 6:30 PM, heading toward Troutbeck.

Ian had the route loaded on his Wahoo (my Garmin had finally died), and our goal for the night was the summit of Great Dodd a bivvy spot with sunrise views.

Fuel, Friends, and the Climb to Great Dodd

We reached The Travellers Rest in Glenridding just before the kitchen closed veggie burgers and chips secured. A few fellow JennRiders were already deep into their fifth pint, debating whether to attempt the climb that night. We wished them luck and carried on.

Past the Helvellyn YHA, the gradient kicked up and the gravel got chunkier. Traction became a guessing game, and most steep sections turned into a push.

By 10:45 PM, there was still enough light to ride without exposure lights. We searched for a decent bivvy spot, and just after 11:45 PM, we found a flat patch below the summit. Runners from a fell race passed us through the night, headlamps bobbing in the dark. Other than that and the occasional sheep it was peaceful.

Saturday, 21st June – Sunrise and Beyond

At 5 AM, the sunrise lit up the fells in gold. From our bivvy bags, we watched light spill over the Helvellyn range and low clouds drift through the valleys. It was one of those rare mountain moments that stays with you.

After packing up, we pushed the last bit to the summit, descended toward Matterdale Common, and pointed our wheels toward Keswick for breakfast.

Bag Battles and Boggy Trails

Ian’s bag didn’t survive the descent its buckle broke and it would come loose a few more times throughout the day. The trails through Matterdale were mostly grassy and fun, with a few boggy sections. We hit the Keswick cycleway and rolled into town by 8 AM.

After some wandering, we found Yonder café—excellent food and friendly staff who topped up our bottles.

Rubble, Rocks, and Langdale Lessons

Next up was Rosthwaite via Walla Crag Moor—rideable in parts with fast, loose rubble. We arrived at the pub too early for service, so after topping up bottles, we carried on toward the next big challenge: Black Crag to Langdale.

This section was tough. A mix of hike-a-bike, short rideable stretches, and full-on carrying. The boulders were huge, the climbs relentless, and even the descent was brutal. It took nearly three hours to cover just six miles.

By 3 PM, we finally rolled into Dungeon Ghyll, battered but buzzing.

The Final Stretch – Sunshine and a Greggs Pasty

With Ian’s Wahoo refusing to charge and his bag still giving grief, we made the call to head back early. Most of the major climbing was behind us, and the weather was still playing nice.

From Langdale, we cruised through Ambleside, grabbed a well-earned Greggs pasty, and spun down the cycleway and quiet roads to Staveley. One final refreshment stop in town, and we reached the van by 6:30 PM.

Reflections

76 miles and 10,000 feet of climbing. A blazing sunrise on Great Dodd. A brutal scramble over Black Crag. A bit of everything that makes JennRide what it is.

While this wasn’t my favourite route of the eight JennRides I’ve done, it was still a brilliant night and day out with Ian. Aside from a 10-minute shower near Langdale, the weather was perfect—and that sunrise made it all worth it.

Already looking forward to JennRide 2026.