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30/8/2010 at 7:41pm
Location: Norfolk
Outfit: Vango Anteus 600XL
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Joined: 03/7/2006 Standard Member
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Just for anyone finding this thread later...
We went to Rutland this weekend, stayed at Wing Lakes (not bad - have reviewed it). We hired bikes one day and cycled around the lake, as it has been recommended as a top cycle route in the UK. We were a bit disappointed, to be honest.
Given that you can hire hybrid bikes (with road tyres) and tandems as well as mountain bikes, I was surprised that there are a lot of loose and muddy surfaces and tight corners. Husband and I are relatively experienced cyclists and hired a tandem just to see what it was like, but at times we felt vulnerable and/or a risk to other users because the path was confined, had tight bends, gates etc. We often got off to walk, which spoilt things a bit!
For something promoted specifically as a cycle route there are far too many Cyclists Dismount signs. These appear at steep hills and cattle grids and gates (also loads). The path went through most of the official car parks around the lake, which seems dangerous. The few sections alongside the road mostly had tarmac paths on the grass verges, but these were really too narrow for 2-way cycling, and we nearly came a cropper when some idiots on mountain bikes came flying the other way around some pedestrians on the path. It's pretty short sighted as in many places there is acres of grass verge and doubling or even tripling the path width to keep everyone safe would be easy. To do the circuit we reckon you really need a mountain bike, and lots of patience.
On the plus side the pubs at Manton and on the peninsula are very good. We found the peninsula a bit dull really and possibly not worth it except for the pub and the pretty village, which thankfully are the nearest bit to the main circuit!
We didn't go in all the car parks (although your £3 day ticket is valid for all of them which is great). We thought Normanton was better than Whitwell. Whitwell has a larger bike hire place (and shop), and a climbing wall and high ropes course for kids, but Normanton still has adequate bike hire plus more/nicer green space by the lake, and (vital in UK weather!) an indoor cafe. Whitwell only has a tiny snack bar with outside tables, plus a burger van over on the boating side.
What it really seems to lack is a "proper" visitor center (like at Carsington in Derbyshire). However I think we may have missed this by not going to the bird watching centre?
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Topic: Rutland Water
