Today’s post owes its existence to part of an article by Anne Marcantonio of the British Horse Society, posted on the Ordnance Survey Blog on 3rd February.

Anne provides links to a number of safe off road riding routes on the Society’s new EMAGIN service, which is described as “the world’s first Equine Mapping and Geographical Information Network”.  What’s more, it’s free.

The “Eden Valley Loops” (circular routes) especially caught my eye, as I’ve spent several days in that area during recent weeks.  Here they are, with links to the EMAGIN site.

1. Eden Valley Loop 1 – Loadpot Hill (16km – 10 miles)
2. Eden Valley Loop 2 – River Lowther Valley (32 km – 20 miles)
3. Eden Valley Loop 3 – River Lyvennet Valley (32 km – 20 miles)
4. Eden Valley Loop 4 – Great Asby (29 km- miles)
5. Eden Valley Loop 5 – Crosby Garrett (21 km – 13 miles)

Happy walking, riding, cycling – whichever is your thing.

Oh, and here’s a photo I took of the River Eden at Appleby ten days ago.

From the Cumberland News I learn that the Forestry Commission’s new mountain biking coaching trail in Whinlatter Forest is due to open in a week’s time.

I’m afraid that my cycling these days is restricted to leisurely pedalling along the roads of England’s eastern flatlands but for those younger and fitter than myself, and committed to working hard at this sport, the new coaching facility near Keswick should be a tremendous asset.  For some it may also be a great introduction to the joys of the Lake District.

Apparently the trail will consist of serious training features way beyond basic humps and bumps.  The governing body for cycling sport in the UK, British Cycling, is likely to be using it for pre-Olympic training.  So let’s hope that this new Lake District resource will contribute to a good haul of Gold in 2012.

Two bits of Lake District news in today’s post.

As for stationary objects I’m not referring to Janice who refuses to be dragged out of her bed on time in the morning, nor Bill who won’t be budged from the telly on Saturday afternoon.  No, I’m talking about a real statue, one that when it’s erected should stay put for many a decade.

Although the Westmorland Gazette went a bit too far recently in referring to Alfred Wainwright as “one of Kendal’s most famous sons” when in fact he was born in Blackburn, Lancashire, it is nevertheless excellent news that Kendal is to raise the funds for permanent bronze memorial to the town’s most famous 20th century resident.  May it come quickly and last long.

My second snippet is certainly not about staying in the same place for long.  It’s a reference to the mountain bike endurance race scheduled for 29th March at the Whinlatter Forest Park.  The Altura Whinlatter Challenge has apparently already passed 200 entrants.  Let’s hope that this latest Lake District mountain bike event is successful.  30 miles over this terrain is more than I would ever have attempted in my youth (even if there’d been such a thing as a mountain bike in those days) and I admire those young people with the energy, enthusiasm and dedication to training that’s needed to pit themselves successfully against the challenging course.