The rough and the smooth in a quiet part of Cumbria

Approaching Meal Bank, view over the Fells

Onto the back roads

The restricted byway sign indicates 'Road liable to flooding'

A long flooded section, pushing the bike in slowly the depth approached the motor so I backtracked

A very pleasant track to Brackenrigg side, passing through the school playground

The bridleway to Guestford seemed little used and the reason why became obvious at the river Mint. The crossing looked almost a metre deep so it was into reverse for a second time.

After the climb up to the radio masts on Whinfell, it was a challenge to find the continuation of the route into Borrowdale and I wasn't the only one trying to find the way down. It's actually on the right hand side of the stream and goes through a gate in the stone wall. The GPS proved it's worth in this case.

In Borrowdale

A mix of stone and grassy tracks

After the descent to Ashtead, the route is along the 'Old Shap Road'

Little used

Across the fields with large inquisitive cows in some

Venturing into Long Sleddale

And back out on little used bridleways

On the last off-road section back to Meal Bank

A long but rewarding ride !