Lake District

[adeejaysdelight]

I am off on my annual solo bike tour next week. For a change I am heading to the Lake District. I usually head up to the highlands, but my bike could ride around there on its own, such is its experience of those roads  :rolleyes .  So I thought I would head "down souf" for a wee change.


I am looking for recommended roads and must do's from local experts. I am staying at Grange over Sands. I plan to batter down the motorway to somewhere like Penrith, then ride the rest through the countryside. Once I arrive at my accommodation I will dump my stuff and head out to play until it gets dark. I then have another 2 days to explore the area.


Any advice on roads, views, eateries and drinking holes most welcome  .


Thanks

[Agent Picolax]

A686 Penrith to Alston, stopping off at the Hartside Cafe

Heading west from near Ambleside, try the Hardknott & Wrynose passes, not roads for speed really worth doing for the views and the 1 in 4 gradients and hairpin bends, a few decent pubs in Boot village and a good campsite at Eskdale.

A6 over Shap, a great stretch of road & fairly quiet as most of the traffic will be on the M6.

A few starters for ya, I'm sure lots more will be posted 

Here's a link to the campsite we stayed at in Eskdale, couple who ran it were really nice (think they're still there), even to the point of letting me park my Fazer in their garage overnight 

[andybesy]

Second the recommendation of hard knott pass that's fun.

Andy

[fireblake]

I second all that Nakedadder says. i did these roads last year driving a VW Golf and it was the best fun. The Hardknot and wrynose were awesome and proper lock to lock driving. My wifes screams were a delight. The road up to Hartside was amazing too. I met up with some mates in Morecambe and was lent an ageing KLR 600. Awful tired bike but it was a bike so still great fun. We went to Devil's bridge (I think) which is a great bike meeting place and a cracking burger van.
You lucky sod

Mickey

[savvy]

You could try A590 from Grange over then T/Right A65  past Kirkby Lonsdale and then on to Settle and maybe on to Skipton???
Nice roads.

[midden]

A592  kirkstone pass  windermere to ullswater 

[Looney tune]

Try this for a wee jont, Kirkstone pass is a defo don't miss.


My link no workie !!!! :'(

[nick crisp]

Great views to be had from Grasmoor....might have trouble getting a bike up there though  :lol

[dickturpin]

Consider Keswick through Borrowdale to Honister Pass  and onwards to Buttermere then Newlands Pass back to Keswick.

[adeejaysdelight]

This is all sounding great Foccers. Keep it coming 

[Hamos]

Head over to Kirby Lonsdale and on to Settle down the A65.  Head into Settle and pick up the B6479.  Follow that until T junction with B6255 at the Ribbleshead Viaduct.  Follow B6255 into Hawes.  This stretch is my all time favorite, quite, open and good surface and a jump!  Good food in Hawes.  Then back into Sedburgh and from there back to Kirby Lonsdale.  A nice 1 1/2 hours without a stop, but plenty of brew / food stops available.

[Looney tune]

Consider Keswick through Borrowdale to Honister Pass  and onwards to Buttermere then Newlands Pass back to Keswick.

This could be tied in with the route I put up ( if the bloody link would work ). Newlands pass is very nice 

[lew600fazer]

Not being a kill joy a great roads BUT at this time of year, good luck.

[HarryHornby]

Hardknott & Wrynose passe.....FOC.....I've done them in a car and a van.....don't fancy hill starting a bike going up there!  :eek :eek :eek :eek


Great fun though :-)

[adeejaysdelight]

Not being a kill joy a great roads BUT at this time of year, good luck.

Lew, I live in Scotland and ride all year. I sat my test in -3 and snowing. Unless it goes below -5, I take the bike and have done for years. I usually head up to the highlands for my solo-spring aunt. An early spring in the Lakes is like summer up here mate. EASY


And for the rest of you guys, I am getting a good idea of a route now. Thanks for all the input. Seems the hardknott and wrynose are a MUST. As well as the A591.


I will work more on the route over the weekend and put it up on Monday, before I set off.


Keep it coming

[stevierst]

Done all the above many many times, they're all superb roads!

My favourite has to be hardknott pass though. It can catch out even the most experienced riders, but gives the most thrills.

[tony_d123]

A592  kirkstone pass  windermere to ullswater 

Good road and you can continue up to Hartside Cafe.


Hardknott and Wrynose are great but only if weather is reasonable! The area around Grange is pretty boring so you need to head north for decent rides. You will take pot luck on the weather at this time of the year but the bonus is that the traffic will be lighter. Remember, those Lakes don't fill themselves 

[stevierst]

The A5087 from Ulverston to Barrow-in-furness, also known as the coast road is another favourite of mine.
Stop 1/2 way for an ice cream or brew at Roys ices. A lifetime biker himself and your all welcome! 

[Free plug alert!!! He's my dad ]

[Hamos]

The A5087 from Ulverston to Barrow-in-furness, also known as the coast road is another favourite of mine.
Stop 1/2 way for an ice cream or brew at Roys ices. A lifetime biker himself and your all welcome! 

[Free plug alert!!! He's my dad ]

Is he the ice cream van at the Bardsea beach front?

[stevierst]

[quote author=stevierst link=topic=11836.msg130758#msg130758 date=1393677605]
Is he the ice cream van at the Bardsea beach front?

The very same one!