Riding in the Lake District

[iLB]

I'm going away for 6 days of fieldwork in the Lake District next week as part of a 2nd year module, and I'm negotiating with one of my lecturers about taking my road bike with me to squeeze in some training and it looks hopeful at the moment . We're staying at the Blencathra Field Centre in Threlkeld not far from Keswick, and I'd be grateful for some local knowledge of an hour long route for a fairly fit cyclist and some general comments on the busyness of road in the area, for example the a66.

Cheers

feel free to move this, didn't know where to post

 

[Spinney]

The circuit of Skiddaw is 30 miles, so that's a bit too long, I guess?
Ditto going down Borrowdale, over Honsiter Pass to Buttermere, then back over Newlands Pass (lovely views, and plenty of hills for training, but too long for an hour after work).

A66 is busy, busy, and fast. But the sustrans routes near it can be windy, narrow and gravelly on occasion - pleasant enough, but not if you want a fast blast on a road bike.

You could cycle down St Johns in the Vale to Thirlmere, then go south on the A road and back up the minor road to the west of the lake. 18 miles. The A road can be busy, but it isn't wide so not too fast (although I haven't cycled it so don't know how good mannered people are about overtaking).

Hope some of this helps!

 

[rodgy-dodge]

The circuit of Skiddaw is 30 miles, so that's a bit too long, I guess?
Ditto going down Borrowdale, over Honsiter Pass to Buttermere, then back over Newlands Pass (lovely views, and plenty of hills for training, but too long for an hour after work).

Just going to post Borrowdale/ Honister pass/ Buttermere from the top of the slate mine the view is magnificent (on a clear day that is) My most favourite view point

 

[rich p]

The A66 was fast and furious but it was rideable when I did it. I'm no expert but could you go east on the A66, turn right towards Matterdale and head for Ullswater and Kirkstone Pass. Turn round after 30 minutes.

Others may know more but that was a bit of the route of the Fred Whitton.

 

[Spinney]

The A66 was fast and furious but it was rideable when I did it. I'm no expert but could you go east on the A66, turn right towards Matterdale and head for Ullswater and Kirkstone Pass. Turn round after 30 minutes.

Others may know more but that was a bit of the route of the Fred Whitton.

There are plenty of rides where you can go out for 30 mins, back for 30. I was trying for some more interesting loops (not that I've ridden any of those passes yet!), but they are all rather long for an hour after study.