JennRide Lake District
Adventure at the heart of why we ride – they say only the good die young…..JennRide
It’s 9pm the gates are getting hard to open, I’m losing the use of my hands as I climb Parkland Moor hoping to Bivvy at the top and see a wonderful sunrise in the morning. My legs are saying stop, rest, refuel so I listen and take a moment thinking how little old me, riding a fully loaded fatbike on his own got this far. I plod on after having some much needed food, but I also know that I am running low on fuel and I have 40 miles to ride in the morning in order to finish this monster of a ride, that the genius Richard Munro has created in memory of Jenn Hill ex Deputy Editor of Singletrack.
I won’t go into every single detail except that this is one hell of a 100 mile ride around the South Lakes and with the weather Gods on our side everything was aligning perfectly. Please make sure you are loaded with fuel as the climbs really do test the body and legs. I was glad to come across the farmhouse with a waterpipe that absolutely saved the day for me.
The route takes you from Staveley – Kentmere -Troutbeck – Grasmere – Conniston – Grizedale and heads back to Stavelely via some tough climbs.
The riders I met and rode with were all fab people who, like me were loving the outdoors and riding bikes sharing adventure stories from their past. For me this was only my 2rd bike-packing trip having done the Capital Trail last year, so picking up a few tips along the way from fellow riders will leave me better prepared for my next bike- packing adventure.
A big thanks to John from Nelson who had rode the TourDivide and we shared some riding time together. Pete and Tom from Wales who had set off with me but their thin tyres were too quick for me. And also Chris, a local rider who shared some of the local knowledge having met up with him before the descent to Grizedale.
Anyone who has the tinniest bit of adventure in them and plenty of fitness should do this ride as it’s definitely in my top 5.
A big thanks to Richard Munro for creating an awesome route that is almost all off-road.
Bring on 2019
Kit used
Bike: Sonder Vir Fortis Fatbike
Tyres: Vitorria Bamboloni – 4 inch Tubeless
Rims: Hugo 52 (set up superbly by Mark Rushby of Giant Halifax formerly Pedalsport)
Hubs: Hope Fatsno
Bars: Jones
Bag Alpkit, Apidura and Wildcat.
Gears: 34t Front and 46t rear (should have gone 30t at the front)
Forks: Lauf Carbonara (Brilliant)
Gears: 34t x11 speed 46t rear (would go 30t next time)
Footwear – 5 Tens Kestral – Clipped in
