BIGRIDE DIRTY STOPOUTS

No posh lodge or gourmet food for Max and Russell this issue! This ride was going to be all about roughing it in a Lakes bothy, until the weather changed...

- Max Darkins

WHERE ARE WE?

THE LAKE DISTRICT

The Lake District National Park, established in 1951, covers 2,362km² and was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2017. This stunning and iconic area of northern England offers amazing scenery and challenging riding.

www.lakedistrict.gov.uk

YOUR GUIDE

MAX DARKINS

Max loves travelling up and down the country, searching for the best routes for you to ride. He's the man behind www.roughrideguide.co.uk 

My mission for this issue was to find some routes that include bothies. But, with a trip to Scotland not happening for a couple of months, my sights were set on destinations closer to home. England has very few bothies, but the beautiful Lake District comes to the rescue with some awesome riding and free shelter from the elements.

There's been a bit of a bike-packing boom recently, but it doesn't mix all that well with riding technical trails. A bunch of bags hanging off the bike not only makes the ascents a laborious pain in the arse, but it can ruin the descents, too. What's more, wild camping isn't actually permitted anywhere in England other than on some areas of Dartmoor (check out Chris's adventure on p53) or with prior permission from the landowner.