Four Days, Five Bikes, One Glorious Dose of Spring

We rolled out early Thursday under skies so blue it felt suspicious—like the UK was up to something. First stop: Whinlatter. A quick “warm-up” lap turned into a full send, capped off with a hike-a-bike up Grizedale Pike. And by “hike,” let’s be honest—this was a full-body negotiation with gravity. Steep, relentless, bikes on shoulders, lungs on fire. The reward? A sketchy, slatey, grin-inducing descent that made every step up worth it.

From there, we dropped into Mabie Forest for a blast around the red—fast, flowy, and exactly what tired legs didn’t know they needed. Then on to Kirroughtree, where we set up base and started eyeing what Friday would throw at us.

Friday was the Big Country loop. Big by name, big by nature. We pushed through to Glentrool for a much-needed coffee, then onto a long, exposed gravel drag that quietly drained us. By the time we hit the Kirroughtree black descent, we were cooked—dry bottles, sun beating down, proper dehydration creeping in. That outside tap at the trail centre? Never tasted anything better.

Saturday brought more laps at Kirroughtree before heading up Cairnsmore of Fleet—easily a trip highlight. The views were outrageous, rolling hills fading into the distance under clear skies. It felt more like mid-summer than spring. We lingered longer than usual, soaking it in.

Sunday was a shorter spin at Ae Forest, though not without drama—Saul’s tyres had more holes than a tea bag. Plugs, pumps, repeat.

Four days. Five of us. Endless miles, solid graft, great food, and weather that felt like a reward. Proper good karma riding.