CC Ecosse (and North Englandshire) 2016 Tour Thoughts...

[Pat "5mph"]

and the thought of herding Belles abroad gives me the fear!

I speak many languages

 

[Fubar]

Rothbury, Northumberland:

http://www.tomlinsonsrothbury.co.uk/#!bunkhouse/cl69

 

[Fubar]

Keilder Forest:

http://www.tarset-tor.co.uk

 

[Fubar]

Lake District:

http://lumleyfeebunkhouse.co.uk/index.html

 

[mcshroom]

Grasmere (Also Lake District)
https://grasmerehostel.co.uk/welcome

There's also a high concentration of YHAs in the Lakes

 

[Louch]

If a Nice hotel could be neAr the youth hostel I could be tempted. One location, with 4 100km routes over a weekend would be good.

 

[MikeW-71]

The Lakes does have a lot of scenery and points of interest, even if it is rather hilly. If you were basing in one spot for a weekend, you could at least leave the luggage behind

It can be tough to get into the interesting area by bike though. It could be done from Carlisle station though. Get to somewhere around Hawkshead and it's lovely!

 

[mcshroom]

Somewhere on the Northern end opens up the Solway Plain for a flatter ride if people fancy one too

 

[MikeW-71]

True. If you're on the north side, then there is Penrith area with Brougham Castle, which can lead round to my favourite ice-cream farm and a few cafes that I have discovered. The C2C cycle cafe at Greystoke is recommended.

North west of Penrith is flatter ground.

 

[Fubar]

Who are our Borders/Northumberland experts: @User9609 ?

 

[fimm]

I grew up in Southern Northumberland. What do you want to know? (User9609 will know more, though...)

 

[Edwardoka]

So pretty much anywhere you aren't??

Off-topic but that gives me an idea for an app... matching historical weather data to @Brandane's location... like the Santa tracker but with rain instead of presents

 

[Fubar]

I grew up in Southern Northumberland. What do you want to know? (User9609 will know more, though...)

Best areas for cycling, accommodation and closest transport links (I'm assuming Newcastle...?) @mcshroom and @MikeW-71 are our Lakes men-in-the-fields.

For instance the N'land accommodation links I put on above look fine but for all I know Rothbury could have a max security prison round the corner... Obvs I can Interweb all this and there is no rush, but a bit of local knowledge goes a long way and ultimately it would be desirable to have a local guide - even just to make up routes, if not there in person.

 

[Fubar]

Off-topic but that gives me an idea for an app... matching historical weather data to @Brandane's location... like the Santa tracker but with rain instead of presents

Can that be a live location tracker so we know where NOT to be??

 

[Fubar]

I grew up in Southern Northumberland. What do you want to know? (User9609 will know more, though...)

The other thing we would need to address is food and drink, i.e. if we are in the middle of the Keilder forest how easy is it to get supplies and who cooks it all? Can't rely on @Pat "5mph" and the Belles to cook every night - that wouldn't be fair.

EDIT: just thinking out loud, not expecting you to answer all that!