FLYING SOLO
ith all that’s been going on in the past few months, the new normal seems to be anything but. We’ve been racking our brains trying to come up with something that might be useful for you once lockdown measures have started to ease up a bit. So here it is – 11 rides around the UK that have been selected for their sense of getting away from it all. Some are properly wild like our route in the Cairngorms; others are quite near to civilisation yet still retain that quiet, secluded feel, like our South Downs loop. We’ve chosen rides that aren’t overly technical on the whole (no one wants to be ending up in A&E anytime soon), yet have some cracking views to lift your spirits. Just make sure that if you’re riding solo you let someone know where you’re going and what time you’re due back. We hope you enjoy your rides to rehabilitation...
HARD ROUTE
SEDBERGH, HOWGILL FELLS
A QUIET DAY OUT IN BIG HILLS WITH BIG VIEWS, BUT WITH NO ESCAPE ROUTE THERE ARE SOME TECHNICAL SECTIONS THAT ARE BEST LEFT FOR ANOTHER DAY
The Howgill Fells in the Yorkshire Dales are just east of the M6, lying within the triangular area between Sedbergh, Kirkby Stephen and Tebay. Being on the east and opposite the Lake District, they’re often overlooked in favour of the more expansive and technical riding that the Lakes offer, which makes them perfect for one of our isolation rides. Yes, the Lake District provides a wealth of great riding and facilities, but sometimes it’s good to feel like you have the trails and hills to yourself, and can enjoy the peace and freedom that mountain biking can provide.
Our route offers such an experience – it’s a big, epic excursion out into the hills for a much quieter experience than you’d usually find in the Lake District. It’s still a
