There’s a growing trend in the UK to go abroad for mountain biking holidays – and while this is by no means a bad thing, especially when you consider how cheap a trip on the continent can be, that ignores what we’ve got on our doorsteps. I say doorsteps – I realise the Lake District isn’t literally a few minutes away for most people, but it’s close enough. And this episode of Bike Magic Trail Guide TV shows why.

I was absolutely blown away when I first went riding in Scotland up in Glentress (see here for Tracy Moseley’s BM Trail TV for that) – admittedly it was early in my mountain bike history, but I naively assumed there could never be such good – and varied – riding in the UK, so easily accessible. The same applies to the Lake District – as Paul Aston and Cal Dew explain. It’s less well signposted, but that’s a massive benefit in so many ways. Sometimes riding can be much more enjoyable when you’re really in the back and beyond, without purpose-made paths to shepherd you around, and the feeling is much more like an adventure.

So the scenery’s incredible, the trails look brilliant, and it’s all in this country. What are you waiting for? Once you’ve watched Paul and Cal make light work of the amazing looking natural, rocky trails, go and pack your bags! We’ll probably see you up there.