Lake District

I'll have a look at the ordonance survey maps I've been given, then I'll make up my mind.
Expect some pictures and all that once I'm there.

I'd like to have a shot at one pass, just to see what's going on, and with full expectancy of FAIL.
Wrynose Pass is pretty close to Ambleside ... hmmmmmmm

As *M.F. says, Ambleside is a tourist magnet, therefore busy roads, old codgers in Rovers and tossers in 4x4s are everywhere. A nice route would be to head South and get the Windermere ferry and head North up the minor road up the other side of Windermere. Or also take the B road from the Ferry to Sawrey and on to Hawkshead. The B road is nearly empty as the only cars on it are going to or coming off the ferry, so you get a btach of 6 to 8 cars pass you every 30 mins and that's it.

Hawkshead is nice in a twee gift shop kind of way, and head on to Tarn Hows, which has a perfectly rideable (on a road bike) track around it. Loads of pubs for a spot of lunch. Passes like Hardknott and Wrynose are brutal, and check weather forecasts if you attempt either, as they are bleak and remote.

Worth spending a few quid in here too.

http://www.hawksheadrelish.com/

Manc, good tips, thanks for that. If we're talking busy roads, would you say it's a problem in comparison to any A road?

Otherwise: Keep em coming guys!

Manc, good tips, thanks for that. If we're talking busy roads, would you say it's a problem in comparison to any A road?

Otherwise: Keep em coming guys!

It's more the narrowness of some of the A roads really, especially the A591 which is the main route for those from the South coming off the M6. Keep off that as much as you can and it'll all be good, dependent on weather. That B road from the ferry to Hawkshead is lovely.

Cool. you just made my day! Now I am really looking forward to that week. g/f will sit in the cottage, relax and read books, cuz that's what she likes. Meanwhile pascalo will do little ride every second day with a nice hill or two.
All good :)

Any suggestions on where to hire bikes, going up there for a family holiday next week and would be good to get out for a ride or two. I've had a quick search but any persoanl recomendations would be wlecome.

Kidboy, it seems that biketreks in Ambleside rents out bikes for £20 a day.
The other, smaller bike shop is a really friendly place, but I didn't look out for rental prices.

I've done my first little morning ride, and easy 90mins from Clappersgate down to the Windermere Ferry thingy and back. Lovely rolling hills, quiet roads.

Great start. Tomorrow I'll see if I can convince myself to try "The Struggle".

This was a great ride:

http://cycling.pascalopitz.com/2010/06/struggle.html

Pissing down today, but managed to do an hour run in the morning, which even included a little climb:

http://www.bikemap.net/route/569115

Marc Ronnie, your suggestions were spot on.
So far all the cycling was brilliant up here, there's plenty of opportunities to cycle on calm roads, but it's obvious that some of the A roads are a bitch.
Planning ftw.

Glad you're enjoying, seem to be fairly lucky with the weather too. Now man up and do Hardknott, or even better http://www.fredwhittonchallenge.org.uk/route.php

Well, I've got tomorrow for my last ride if the weather is nice. Will do something relaxing.
And a hike afterwards.
Not sure if I really want to punish myself with a pass. In the future though!
For now I am quite happy that I made the highest pass in Cumbria without walking. A year ago I wouldn't have been able to, that's for sure.
Thanks goes to the SSTC, Leith Hill and Whitedown Lane.

Hi,

Can anyone recommend some nice road routes/area's in the Lake District?

( Sorry if you feel this is verging on a travel/touring thread, just running out of time. #badplanning )

Thanks,

Jamie.

Hi - wherabouts in the lakes are you going?

I've done a few rides round there but mainly around Coniston, Windermere and over Hardknott and Wrynose passes. None of which were particularly scenic due to having to set off from and arrive back at Barrow In Furness....

Heading to Windermere in November for a couple of days sans-bikes. Any suggestions for places to see for a wandering drunkard?

http://www.hawksheadbrewery.co.uk/

Good food, good beer, nice people a 10 minute train journey or a couple of hours walking buses are also frequent.

Ta, I'll add that to the list.

The apple pie shop in Ambleside.

Holy shit, it actually exists!

http://www.applepieambleside.co.uk/

Are you going there in November? Are there cycle routes around?

Sans bikes? Seems silly. Struggling up The Struggle is a glorious struggle.

Make sure you do the Beatrix Potter museum, it's magical. #6yearoldgirlatheart

So I'm heading up to the Lakes for 3 days next Thursday. I'll have to stay In Dalton in Furness every night so was just wondering if anyone has some nice routes from that sort of area?

Are you going there in November? Are there cycle routes around?

Yes and probably yes, but I'm not taking bikes so I'll be walking and maybe jump on a boat or two.

Sans bikes? Seems silly. Struggling up The Struggle is a glorious struggle.

Make sure you do the Beatrix Potter museum, it's magical. #6yearoldgirlatheart

I'm going with my gf and I don't think she's up for smashing Hardknott on her SS just yet. I'll save the cycling for when I can get some bigger rides in. I'll add the Harry Beatrix Potter museum to the list.

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/may/09/lake-district-world-heritage-site-george-monbiot

Need to tweet that to the penis on twitter that was crying about being held up by 'swarms of cyclists' while herding sheep.