The Lake District
I have just been on a weekend cycling tour to the lakes. On Friday three of us (Sausages, Will Smith and I) caught the 7.30am train to Penrith out of Euston. We were fully loaded with panniers and excitement. We nearly missed the train because of mechanical problems with one of the bikes but we manged to do a quick road side repair and be on our way.Three and bit hours later we arrived in Penrith to torrential rain and high winds (joy). Waterproofs on we battled to Keswick. Along the way I came off from going to fast on wet leaves and Sausages got a puncture. After a pub lunch we set off to Buttermere where we were staying for the night. The weather grew wetter and the wind stronger. Not what you need when you are carrying panniers and you have Birkrigg and Knott Rigg to contend with.Day 2: After a mammoth breakfast we set off around Crummock Water (stunning) to Gosforth via Ennerdale and several Fells. Swarth Fell is particularly stunning. We stopped for lunch in Gosforth and enjoyed the glorious sunshine – the weather is so changeable up there. Next stop Ambleside with two passes to get over – Hardknott pass and Wrynose Pass. Hardknott is impossible to cycle up with panniers. If anyone has done this then I take my hat off to you. It broke me physically and mentally! But the view from the top is spectacular and of course, you get to go down the other side at speed!Day 3: From Ambleside we went straight up the struggles onto Kirkstone pass. Another killer but you can’t help be blown away by epicness of it all. After that it was an easy 12 miles back to Penrith, and a well deserved beer on the train.Despite the harshness of the weather and the mountain passes it was the most enjoyable cycling that I have ever done. The landscape and downhills make the hard bits well worth the effort. Just don’t over fill your panniers and stock up on water and food when you have the opportunity!
ollie
Sounds like a cracking weekend. As mentioned On twitter I’ve not done much road cycling in the lakes, mainly just off road. Though saying that; my favourite route, the \Borrowdale Bash” includes a ride up to the summit of Honister pass http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Honister_Pass bits of which are a 1 in 4 gradient. A real gear grinder. If you ever fancy a bit of mountain biking; give me a shout!Did you manage to get many photos or was it raining too much?”
alexpink
Honister pass is stunning. I know what you mean about gear grinders, we cycled up 20-30% gradients, which have left my crank, well cranky! I need to get it serviced.We were discussing mountain biking, so I will let you know if we do.I only took with compact film camera, which I need to get developed. I didn’t take many though, I was too busy hammering out the miles! I took these when I went up there in the summer – http://bit.ly/gT0Smz
kykylala
Hey guys, if anyone is planning a trip up there, and you’d like any advice of info, please just let me know – it’s where I’m from and spent all my pre-Hackney days! If I can help with anything, I’d be happy to.
alexpink
@kykylala Cool, I will bear that in mind. Where abouts are you from? Its amazing up there.
kykylala
@alexpink I’m from South Lakes – just near Kendal, which is where I grew up. But I’ve worked in various places in the area (pubs, youth hostels and cafes!) Glad you had a good time. I miss it! Autumn is one of the best times to visit – bit quieter and super beautiful. But it’s more fun on a mountain bike then, and you also have to not mind a bit of rain!
alexpink
I really like Ambleside and the surrounding area. We stayed in 2 youth hostels, one in Buttermere and the other in Ambleside. I am prepared for the rain, so no worries there!