Whinlatter on Sunday.....

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February 07, 2012, 08:36:40 AM

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[ceejay]

OK, I'm thinking of going in a different direction to my friends this weekend as they are going back up to Dalby on Sunday.... 3rd time this year and even though I like the place altho it's looking a bit tired, I'm thinking that I would like to try somewhere else and seeing as though my bike came from KMB in Keswick, a ride near it's home would be good !! I'm sure it'll be a fun track after doing some homework even if I'm up there on my Jack Jones !!!

I'm from Halifax and face a 2:40hr drive there but if the weathers good it sounds an awesome trail to hit although I'm not at my fittest but will be looking forward to the downs,

Few questions, is it simply big up and then down?
I think I'll be fine with the Giro Hex reading reviews or do people take a full face DH helmet?
I guess the Meta 5 will be good enough and I won't need the upgraded big hitting Coiler Deelux for some of the descents?
Which way round do you recommend, North then South?

Cheers
CJ

[damo]

Whinlatter is my fave centre at the moment. I'm on a 5 and the track is perfect for it. I don't wear a full face on it but do pad up because the south loop downhill at the end is fast. Blue route is a bit sketchy at speed in some places and the north loop is quite fast but technical. You'll love it there.

Damo

[ceejay]

Yeah I'm getting excited bout it.... always wear the knee shins anyway and will put on the elbows which I forgot to take when I was at Llandegla last week.... could have done with them when the tree jumped out on me 

Hex it is then unless a switchblade or Met turn up, will prob leave the 661 assault pressure suit too by the sounds of it, but defo take the shades and keep my mouth shut on the way down !!! wwwwwwwwwwweeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee............

any advice on what to do first, is the blue worth chucking in?

[fly6154]

Hi
   I was up there some weeks ago,and the blue is defo worth doing.We done the red then blue had a coffee then the south twice seeing as you driving so far just keep riding till you cant ride anymore.

[damo]

Depends how fit you are. I did in this order. South loop which starts just up past the bike shop and bike wash. You end that one back at the car park. Then do the Blue route which is the same start as the South Loop then you shoot off to the right if I remember rightly. You finish that at the start of the North Loop , Do the North Loop then back to the car/cafe for a coffee. You could actually do coffe or snacks after the South loop if you like.You can pick up a free map guide from the bike shop on your way past. Friendly chaps in there also.

Damo

[bungalistic]

Whinlatter is my local, i'm there far too much, depends how fit you are but i'd suggest, blue or north loop first. Blue is an easy'ish warm up, nothing too techy and smoother than the red loops. North loop is better done before the south, as the firetrack on the north is a royal pain with tired legs. South is all pretty much singletrack climb and singletrack descent and feels much easier than the north.

Last sections of both north and south can easily be repeated by either a short ride or push up, both are worth a good few runs if you have enough energy after doing the full route. Park on the road just past the center for free all day parking (if it's not too busy).

The meta 5 should be just right for it, if riding the full route a simple xc or bmx style lid is just fine, you could always stick the full face in the car if you feel like repeating any of the downhill sections at more speed.

I'll be visiting the place tonight possibly and for definate tomorrow.

Enjoy.

[Bellerophon]

Howdo, I'm local too and would echo almost everything bung said, apart from the fact that I think Blue, South then North is the way to go, as the Blue and the South finish on the same side of the road and flow into one another when you come out of the wood at the start of the South Loop.

Your Meta will be more than enough for all 3 trails, you shouldn't have any real bother on the climbs with it and it will eat the downhills too (although I appear to have killed mine with almost exclusive (heavy) use on Whinlatter!).

Happy trails mate and let us know how you get on.

Damo - you've got your Norfs and Sarfs the wrong way around mate!!!

[damo]

Ha ha I see what you mean. Haven't tried it the other way round yet. I'm not keen on the South climb so I'd rather get that one done first and out o't way

Damo

[bungalistic]

Can't be bothered with fireroad climb on north once i've done blue and south, my legs, gearing and bike just don't want to know about it. I find the south side climb easier, plus once i've done the jumpy section once I always want to run it again.

[ceejay]

Awesome..... in a word, the Blue is cooler than a polar bears toe nails, especially the little extendeds session.

The north is a good slog of a climb, but worth its weight in gold.....  good down hill and some nice fast fun jumping and a leaping back down the hill although it was greasy as a greasy thing!

South.... much easier to get up and bloody good fun on the down, lovely and quick....


All in all v impressed with the centre and trails, some good people to speak to all the way round and a good journey home back on my favourite road the A65....

Now where's next.... I can feel a Coed Y Brenion coming on .........

Cheers for all your advice

[bungalistic]

I recognise that view in your sig 

[ceejay]

Ha ha yeah awesome views and love your pic...... I took mine using my phone and some panoramic feature it has chuffed with the result, but can't get better than being there....

Will be going back again, although Kirroughtree is on the list soon too, sounds amazing and been meaning to get up for the past year!

[bungalistic]

Was at Kirroughtree on Sunday myself, doesn't have the descents of some other centers but it does have some sweet flowing sections where all you need do is pump the corners and jumps and stay off the brakes, for some serious fun.

[ceejay]

Bugger..... finished at the gym today and when stretching as part of cool down I've somehow managed to, what feels like, trap a nerve in my back..... I'm stuffed and almost got stuck on the couch as couldn't get up...... NOOOOOOOOO !!!! I'm supposed to be out for a little local play on Thurs and then somewhere longer on Sat..... this cannot be hapenning !!!

Anyways I'm looking to get up to Dumfries for a few days or 3, any recommendations for another trail apart from Kirroughtree.... maybe Mabie?

Thinking drive up on Friday night and then trail on Sat and then chill Sunday and then trail on Monday before work on Tuesday....boo !!!!

[iain1775]

Mabie
Dalbeattie
Ae
all good, all within spitting distance of Dumfries
You should ask Electrogirrl - she is prob the most local being in Dumfries herself