Grizedale’s North Face Trail will be open today despite the flooding from Storm Desmond.

The trail was shut yesterday but is due to re-open now the worst of the weather has subsided. The video above was shot by Pat McGucken of Grizedale Mountain Bikes yesterday as he attempted to get to work.

The trail will be rideable (if a bit wet) and is currently being assessed for fallen trees. At this time it is not known whether the popular bridleways that are often used in conjunction with the North Face Trail are clear to ride.

If you wish to ride at Grizedale today McGucken suggests you are better to approach from the south  through Satterthwaite and not through Ambleside to the north. Yesterday the road from Ambleside was only accessible by a 4×4 with a snorkel.

While it may not feel like the nicest day to go riding, McGucken said: “There will be warm drinks, a warm dry shop to chill out in and, if you’re lucky, good banter at Grizedale MTB. It’s the Lake District, you’re going to get wet anyway and we’ve got Fat Bikes you can hire to float on the water.

“I realise this is not the severest of the weather and our thoughts go out to all those affected by the floods.”

Storm Desmond is the fourth named storm of the year and has caused record flooding in Cumbria as well as severe flooding in Northumberland and the Scottish Borders. 43,000 homes have been left without electricity and Pooley Bridge, which has stood since 1764, was washed away. The worst of the weather hit further north than Grizedale and Whinlatter, near Keswick, is currently closed.

Video courtesy of Grizedale MTB.