A shorter ride than planned with some difficult terrain but fantastic views over Ullswater and the surrounding fells. The plan was to ride a figure of eight from Bridgend over Beda Fell to Howtown, then along the lake shore to Pooley Bridge, up to the cockpit, descending to Howtown then along The Ullswater Way which skirts the lake shore beneath Place Fell. On reaching Howtown for a lunch break I'd been longer than expected and with the strong wind (which could spoil the superb descent into Howtown) I decided to miss out the other leg of the figure eight. The Ullswater Way proved to be quite challenging so I was glad to leave the missed section for another day.

Routes don't have to involve mega climbs or steep descents to be difficult; rocky or rutted trails can be just as taxing.