The Elterwater Waterfall Walk plus Lingmoor Fell

A walk with Angie and Al, Jake and Veronika while staying at the cottage.

Route: From the Elterwater car park, the Cumbria Way path to Skelwith Force and over the new footbridge. Back along woodland footpaths to Colwith Force and then on to Little Langdale taking Jam Street to the Three Shires pub. Leaving the others to carry on directly, the zig-zag path up the side of Lingmoor Fell and along to the summit. Then retracing the route until the northwards path back down to the quarry and then back to the start.

Conditions: Drizzle and low cloud but surprisingly warm. Rain on Lingmoor Fell.

Pub: The Three Shires for Ennerdale Black Sail Bitter and Hawkshead Red (and The Outgate for Robinsons Dizzy Blonde on the drive back!)

Bridport to Exeter via Axminster and Sidmouth

The fourth day of a south coast cycle trip with Ian Lyne and Steve Mitchell.

Route: From Bridport along rolling roads before a long steep ascent and descent to Axminster for coffee (running late: 15 miles in 2 hrs 15 mins), then a hasty route change to cycle to Colyton and a long but less steep ascent before dropping steeply down to Sidmouth for lunch. Then a fiendish ascent and descent to Buddleigh Salterton. Finally a smooth ex-railway line cycle path followed by the brand new Exe Estuary cycle path to Exeter.

Conditions: Heavy rain over breakfast followed by a few showers and sunny spells.

Pubs: The Swan Inn, Sidmouth, for Bath Ales Summer’s Hare and arriving at the Great Western for Dartmoor Jail Ale, RCH PG Steam Bitter and Dartmoor Summer Gold.

Ringwood to Bridport via Blandford Forum and Piddletrenthide

The third day of a south coast cycle trip with Ian Lyne and Steve Mitchell.

Route: From Ringwood along winding roads to Blandford Forum for coffee and then Piddletrenthide for lunch. Then over three steep but short hills passing Cerne Abbas (and the Giant’s viewpoint) to Maiden Newton for tea (delicious fruitcake in a teashop in the back of the newsagent) and then a single steep climb up Eggardon Hill and long descent to West Bay for a quick beer, stroll onto Chesil Beach and then back to Bridport.

Conditions: A sunny morning becoming cloudier as the day proceeded.

Pubs: The Piddle Inn, Piddletrenthide, for Dorset Piddle Piddle and the Bridport Hotel, West Bay, for Palmers IPA and Golden Best before staying at the (GBG) Tiger Inn, Bridport.

Newport to Ringwood via the Needles and Yarmouth

The second day of a south coast cycle trip with Ian Lyne and Steve Mitchell.

Route: From Newport west, via the Apple Farm, Afton Park, for coffee, to the Needles (and the National Trust Old Battery) and then to Yarmouth for lunch. Taking the ferry to Lymington and then cycling through the New Forest and past the Red Shoot, Linwood, to reach Ringwood.

Conditions: A dull start followed by a heavy shower and then drizzle followed by a grey but dry afternoon.

Pubs: The Wheatsheaf, Yarmouth, for Goddards Fuggle Dee Dum and then the Red Shoot, Linwood, for their own Red, White and Brew, Muddy Boot and New Forest Gold.

Portsmouth to Newport via Godshill and Niton

The first day of a south coast cycle trip with Ian Lyne and Steve Mitchell.

Route: From Southsea (Portsmouth) to Ryde (Isle of Wight) via passenger ferry and then to Bembridge on the east coast for coffee (the Baywatch on the Beach Café at the Duver), then via Brading to Godshill for lunch. Then heading south for a view of the sea to the south at the Buddle Inn, Niton before heading north to Carisbrooke Castle (for a cream tea) and then Newport.

Conditions: A largely sunny day.

Pubs: The Taverners, Godshill, for Taverners Best followed by the Buddle Inn, Niton, for epicyclic halves of Island Brewery Yachtsman's, Goddards Ale of Wight and Yates Golden Ale.

Things to take on a cycle trip

Cycle clothing
cycle shoes
cycle socks x 2
cycle shorts x 2
cycle shirts x 2
sleeved top
water proof
wind proof
gloves x2
helmet
over trousers
over shoes

Evening clothing
trousers
?shorts for evening
shirt
t-shirt x 2
sleeping t shirt
socks and underwear
lightweight fleece
lightweight shoes
?trunks + pack towel
earrings / makeup

General kit
guides
maps
water bottle
money (inc cheque book)
?sun specs
cycle specs
phone / ipad
charger / battery / battery charger
Stanli / Alan / Sophie
penknife
bars
?sandwich box
washbag including nurofen, ibuleve, blistered, sunblock, contact lens stuff, eye drops

Cycle kit
waterproof panniers
under saddle bag
lights
multi tool
pump
tyre levers
inner tubes
lube
lock
spanner for Brompton

Dent cycle loop

An afternoon cycle ride over to Dent and back along Barbondale.

Route: From home to Old Hutton and then C-roads to Killington to join, briefly, the B6257 and A683 the taking a C-road round the shoulder of Holme Knott across from Sedbergh and then along the southern gated road (pictured) to Dent for a beer at the Sun Inn and the George and Dragon (Dent Brewery tap). Backtracking to Gawthrop and then steeply (double chevron followed by two singles) to cycle along Barbondale to Barbon and then north to cross the river, south to Kearstwick and then the B6254 home.

Conditions: Cloudy with some sun and one brief shower.

Pub: The Sun Inn for Mauldons Pickwick and Hambleton Ales Best Bitter and the George and Dragon for Dent Brewery Kamikaze and Rambrau halfway round.

Wansfell Pike

A walk with Steve and Tom Woodcock. (Tom’s third ‘mountain’ of his first ever hillwalking weekend.)

Route: From the Ambleside car park near Organico’s through the town to join the Skelwith Bridge road past Stockghyll Force and then steeply up to the summit. Down the south ridge past the observatory and then Jenkins Crag and back to the car park.

Conditions: Cloudy but warm and muggy.

Pub: The Eagle and Child at Staveley for Loweswater Westmorland Gold and apple beer.

Kentmere Horshoe variant

A birthday walk on a day's holiday (and the first UK outing for the Inov8 lightweight boots).

Route: From the church at Kentmere, following the road past Hartrigg and then, eventually, Kentmere reservoir. Then steeply up Ill Bell's NE ridge to the summit and on to Froswick. Spurning Thornthwaite Beacon, High Street and Mardale Ill Bell to take, instead, the path round the edge of the valley, dropping down to Nan Bield Pass and then up to Harter Fell and Kentmere Pike. Dropping down to the valley to cross the stream and back to the church.

Conditions: Warm and sunny.

Pub: The Hawkshead Beer Hall at Staveley for Hawkshead Gold and a half of the new NZPA.

Mammoth Mountain (attempt)

An attempt on Mammoth Mountain while based at Mammoth Lakes.

Route: From Twin Lakes (via a shuttle bus from Mammoth Lakes) along the Dragon's Back trail to a ridge leading towards the summit. Route impeded by snow on the trail, after Seven Lakes View and the start of the Dragon's Back proper, which could be crossed or bypassed. Finally at 10,600 ft, 500 feet short of the summit, the route was blocked by an exposed band of steep snow right across the summit cone. After descending, a run from Horseshoe Lake down to Mammoth Village down the brand new cycle path.

Conditions: Very hot and sunny.

Pub: Tamarak Lodge for bottled Fat Tire then later, post-run, Clocktower Cellar Bar for Green Flash Hop Head and Lagunitas IPA.

Rainbow Falls and Devil's Postpile

A largely level walk in the Devil's Postpile national park while based at Mammoth Lakes.

Route: From the Rainbow Falls trailhead (via a shuttle bus from Mammoth Lakes) to a busy Rainbow Falls and then back on clear paths to Devil's Postpile. Then on the PCT (Pacific Crest Trail), wading across the bottom of Minaret Falls, to reach Agnew Meadows for pick-up by the shuttle bus.

Conditions: Very hot and sunny.

Pub: Hyde Lounge for Mammoth Amber and Pale Ale.

Mammoth Pass and Panorama Dome

A walk hampered navigationally by snow while based at Mammoth Lakes.

Route: From Horseshoe Lake via initially clear paths to Mammoth Pass where snow obscured the route. From the pass back to McLeod Lake and then back to Mammoth Village via Panorama Dome.

Conditions: Hot, clear and sunny although snow remained on the trail at altitude.

Pub: The Clocktower Cellar Bar for West Coast IPA and Mammoth Pale Ale.

Cub Lake, Colorado

A short walk at around 9,000 feet, with James, while based in Boulder, Colorado.

Route: From the Cub Lake trailhead near the Moraine Park visitor centre to Beaver Ponds, thence to Cub Lake and up and over a saddle and down to The Pool before joining a larger path back to the Fern Lake trailhead.

Conditions: Hot and quite humid with a hint of rain at the end.

Pub: Estes Park Brewery for their Red, IPA and Pale.

High Spy

A very wet, truncated, walk with Robin.

Route: Leaving the car parked in a layby in Grange and taking a path opposite the Borrowdale Gates Hotel to rise on a clear route to the top of Cockley How to find the drove road above Nitting Haws. Then up a damp path in a wide grassy amphitheatre to meet the ridge path (from Maiden Moor) and on to the summit cairn. In heavier wind and rain, down to the saddle above Rigghead and then descending a made path to join the Allerdale Ramble route back past Castle Crag and thence to Grange.

Conditions: Initial showers and then persistent rain and strong wind.

Pub: The King's Head at Thirlspot for Cocker Hoop and Sneck Lifter.

Barbon Low Fell

A wet post-lunch walk with Mike and Janet Hornby circuiting Barbon Low Fell.

Route: Leaving the pub at Barbon for a woodland walk by Barbon Beck, crossing it at a footbridge to backtrack down the road before taking a bridleway to Bullpot Farm and then briefly joining a road. Leaving that for a higher parallel path from which a brief diversion on a grassy path led to the summit, and then down to join a green road (Fellfoot Road) laterally back before a short road walk back into Barbon.

Conditions: Initial cloud and then persistent rain.

Pub: Barbon Inn for Ruskin's Bitter (and lunch) before the walk.

The Eskdale Skyline

A substantial 17 mile and nearly 8 hour circuit, starting in Eskdale, from Slight Side on Sca Fell to Crinkle Crags (thus avoiding coverage of the royal wedding).

Route: Leaving the car (90 mins from home) in the new small car park at the start of the terrace route, faithfully along that low level path to Slight Side, then Sca Fell, descending to Foxes Tarn (where the paved route was largely lost in scree) to gain Sca Fell Pike. Deviating from the ridge route to tick off Broad Crag, Ill Crag and Great End before an easy climb of Esk Pike, Bow Fell and the main Crinkle summit. Then down steeply and pathlessly by Swinsty Gill to reach the main bridleway (from Three Tarns) along the Esk to reach the road and back to the car.

Conditions: Initially sun but severe winds; then cloud and stiller; finally sun for the long descent.

Pub: The Woolpack Inn for Hardknott Cold Fusion and Bank Top Barley to Beer and then the Prince of Wales at Foxfield for Foxfield Sands and Wasdale Golden Gill.

Wetherlam, Swirl How and Consiton Old Man

The Coniston Ridge from Tilberthwaite with Ian Lyne based at Fir Bank.

Route: Leaving the car in Coniston, the ground level foot path round the Yewdale Fells to the Tilberthwaite road and the Goldsworthy sheep fold. Then up the south side of Tilberthwaite Ghyll to Steel Ridge and thence onto Wetherlam. Following the ridge past Swirl How, Brim Fell and Coniston Old Man and down the path to the south and back round to the Walna Sca Road (where, by chance, we met A&A).

Conditions: Low cloud to begin with but the cloud lifted off each summit sequentially.

Pub: Sun Hotel for Tag Lag and Cumbrian Legendary Ales Loweswater Gold.

Helvellyn, Seat Sandal and Fairfield

A big walk on a hot day whilst staying at the Travellers Rest.

Route: From the Travellers Rest, a dull tramp up the road to the AA box at the top of Dunmail Raise and then a mile further north on the path a few hundred yards from the road to meet the busy path coming up from the Wythburn church and thence up Birk Side and to the top of Helvellyn. From there, keeping close to the edge, to Nethermost and Dollywagon Pikes and down the main path towards Grisedale Tarn but turning off to contour round to the saddle to the west. Up the slope to Seat Sandal then steeply down and up to Fairfield and then down via Great Rigg, Heron Pike and Nab Scar to the Badger Bar. Back round Rydal and Grasmere on lakeside low level paths.

Conditions: A surprisingly hot, sunny and still day.

Pub: Badger Bar for Hawkshead Windermere Pale Ale.

Stone Arthur

An evening stroll after Chris and Chris' wedding whilst staying at the Travellers Rest.

Route: From the Travellers Rest, 100 yards down the road towards Grasmere and then turning left up a paved track before working up over a rough steep fields to a level track round into the Tongue Gill valley, after which there is a steep climb to the summit. Dropping down the path to the south and then informally off piste contouring back round the hillside to meet the outward path and thus back.

Conditions: A warm evening for the time of year.

Pub: Tweedies Bar for Cumbrian Legendary Ales Buttermere Beauty and Hesket Newmarket Loughrigg.

High Crag to Starling Dodd

A walk to mark the publication of Cicerone's Western Fells Fellranger.

Route: From the main Grasmere carpark to take a path between the Red Pike ascent path and the stroll round the lake, climbing gently into Burtness Combe and then steeply gaining the summit of High Crag via Sheepbone Rake. Along the ridge to High Style, Red Pike and Starling Dodd. Then descending north west to reach the summit of Gale Fell and a rough pathless descent to Scale Force and back to Grasmere.

Conditions: Still, some sun, but cool out of the sun.

Pub: The Fish at Grasmere for Sneck Lifter and a seasonal Hesket Newmarket beer.

The Scandale Horseshoe

A brisk walk on a cool March day.

Route: From the main Ambleside carpark to High Sweden Bridge and then onto Low Pike and High Pike keeping to the RHS of the ridge wall all the way. At a cairn before the summit of Dove crag, along a path to the prominent cairn at High Bakestones and then following the path down, under Little Hart Crag to the pass at Scandale. Up the long and fairly tedious ascent to Red Screes and then the fine descent back to Ambleside.

Conditions: Some sun but a cold wind. Hazy.

Pub: The Golden Rule at Ambleside for Double Hop and the seasonal Hannibal's Nectar.

Wansfell Pike

A short walk on a day of very low cloud with Ian Lyne.

Route: From the main Ambleside carpark via Lower and Low Gate and then the Old Lake Road to Skelghyll Lane and then the path towards Jenkins Crag, turning left uphill at Kelsick Scar to follow the path past the observatory and then, as before, round towards the back of the hill before climbing up to the summit. Down the direct path towards Stockghyll Force.

Conditions: A sudden fall of damp snow leaving the ground slippy; very low cloud.

Pub: The Watermill at Ings for Arran Squirrel and various Watermill beers.