Snow-topped mountains, rocky landscapes and glacier-etched valleys with glistening lakes and tarns: England's Lake District is a perfect combination of wild and accessible. It also boasts a wealth of natural trails and bridleways, snaking up high passes and passing through hidden valleys.
If, like me, you like being where no-one else is, then it's the perfect location for a weekend bothy biking adventure.
- The course: Roads, rough bridleways and trails from Keswick to Honister and back, with around 1,200m of climbing.
- The equipment goal: A workhorse MTB that's suitable for loading up with heavy bike bags then riding, climbing and scrambling with it across mountains before pitching up for the night in a tumble-down stone hut for a camp stove feast. And then doing it all again the next day.
- The horse: The Specialized Ruze Comp 6Fattie, a hardtail with 27.5+ wheels, loaded with Blackburn Outpost seat pack and handlebar roll.
Going back to basics
First, for readers unfamiliar with the concept or the term, a little explanation. Bothy biking is simply a form of bikepacking – bothies are basic shelters, usually old buildings, that are left unlocked and open for anyone to use.
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That's not a pile of stones – it's a bothy
Most bothies in the British Isles are located in Scotland and Wales, with a cluster – handily for this article – in the mountains of the Lake District. Inside they're pretty basic; some, but not all, will have a fireplace, and if you're lucky there might be a platform to pop your sleeping mat and bag on. Don't expect running water, either.
Loading up and rolling out
A room with a stunning view
Back down to earth
Verdict: mostly plus
Julia Hobson's top bikepacking tips
- Bring plastic bags or shoe covers for keeping your feet dry in wet bike shoes when you're in the bothy. It saves bringing a spare pair of shoes!
- Use boxed wine (without the box) or decant into a plastic bottle so you don't have to carry glass in and out.
- Bring squeezy condensed milk! It means you don't need powdered milk (yuck) or risk spilling normal milk in your bag.
- Use fuel logs or similar for your fire. They're easy to transport, lighter than bag of wood or coal and burn for ages.
- If you're using a handlebar bag, don't put heavy stuff in there or the riding won't be fun! Use frame packs or carry stuff on your back. If you pack light you will only need around a 30l rucksack (with some stuff attached to sides).
- Specialized Ruze Comp 6Fattie £1,400 / $1,600 / AU$2199 (on sale to $1499 on Specialized Australia website)
You can read more at BikeRadar.com
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