Scotchlovingcylist
Formerly known as Speedfreak
After last year's Way of the Roses tour myself and my riding buddy decided we wanted to do another one with a slight difference. We wanted to be mostly self sufficient and camp. Lots of research and my (GCN) obsessed mate decided St Bees to Robin Hoods Bay would be a good shout and I agreed, then I researched it, it looked difficult especially with loaded bikes. The GCN lads did it in a day, we knew we wouldn't but still thought screw it, let's give it a go.
Spent the first part of the year buying the stuff we needed and upgrading my mtb to make it as pleasant an experience as possible and I'm pleased to say I've (mostly) bloody loved it.
Day 1 - Home to St Bees.
Not much riding today, 10 miles to the station then 3 changes to get there for £49 rather than the £126 tickets we initially found. Campsite was Seacote Park for £10 a night and the camping section was empty when we arrived at 18:30, owner had left instructions for us at reception which was appreciated. Lovely campsite and area, shame we couldn't spend more time there but once set up was settled for the night and managed a quick tea and an early night.
No issues with bikes on the trains which helped the journey.
Quick pint between trains at Lancaster, nice little station pub.
Bed for the night
Gordon Ramsey I am not
Day 2 - St Bees to Sedbergh wild camp 60 miles.
Packed up for half 7 after a quick pan of porridge and poor sleep, first night in a tent is always rough for me, and we were off. Immediately realising we were somewhere different and with Hardknott and Wrynose to do fairly soon we settled in and crunched the miles. We felt good, the bikes felt good, the scenery was beautiful and we were happy. Then the big test came, Hardknott pass. Resolved to do as much of it as we could we geed ourselves up and tackled it, for about 500 yards
, what a killer! Overall I think I probably managed to ride about a third of it and walked the bits I couldn't which was as much of a test in itself. Once at the top, some time later, we realised the downhill was harder and scarier than the ups. Skidded and slid more than a few times and was glad to reach the bottom. Then Wrynose...... just as bloody hard up and down with more walking to be done. After this we decided to find the first pub for food and regroup to carry on. Food was found at the Three Shires Inn, little on the pricey side for us but absolutely lovely and needed and doing lots of trade with cyclists and walkers generating some good conversation.
Lots of up and down after this and more gorgeous scenes through Ambleside and Windermere, we didn't stop here as we have both visited them many times and know how gorgeous they are so after a quick coffee stop in Kendal we decided to push on a bit and find a campsite for the night. Unfortunately this proved difficult, either it was cash only or no tents so after some debate we decided to rough it for the night. This also proved difficult, as much as it looks amazing on an Instagram post, unless you know where to go out of the way and with us riding on roads and not hiking up fells we couldn't find anywhere for a long time. With knackered legs we finally did and braved it. Quick pitch, cuppa, protein bar and bed.
We're off!
Locals are friendly.
Photos dont do this justice
Great burger, better hospitality.
First stealth camp, remained respectful and left nothing but flat grass.
Spent the first part of the year buying the stuff we needed and upgrading my mtb to make it as pleasant an experience as possible and I'm pleased to say I've (mostly) bloody loved it.
Day 1 - Home to St Bees.
Not much riding today, 10 miles to the station then 3 changes to get there for £49 rather than the £126 tickets we initially found. Campsite was Seacote Park for £10 a night and the camping section was empty when we arrived at 18:30, owner had left instructions for us at reception which was appreciated. Lovely campsite and area, shame we couldn't spend more time there but once set up was settled for the night and managed a quick tea and an early night.
No issues with bikes on the trains which helped the journey.
Quick pint between trains at Lancaster, nice little station pub.
Bed for the night
Gordon Ramsey I am not
Day 2 - St Bees to Sedbergh wild camp 60 miles.
Packed up for half 7 after a quick pan of porridge and poor sleep, first night in a tent is always rough for me, and we were off. Immediately realising we were somewhere different and with Hardknott and Wrynose to do fairly soon we settled in and crunched the miles. We felt good, the bikes felt good, the scenery was beautiful and we were happy. Then the big test came, Hardknott pass. Resolved to do as much of it as we could we geed ourselves up and tackled it, for about 500 yards
, what a killer! Overall I think I probably managed to ride about a third of it and walked the bits I couldn't which was as much of a test in itself. Once at the top, some time later, we realised the downhill was harder and scarier than the ups. Skidded and slid more than a few times and was glad to reach the bottom. Then Wrynose...... just as bloody hard up and down with more walking to be done. After this we decided to find the first pub for food and regroup to carry on. Food was found at the Three Shires Inn, little on the pricey side for us but absolutely lovely and needed and doing lots of trade with cyclists and walkers generating some good conversation.Lots of up and down after this and more gorgeous scenes through Ambleside and Windermere, we didn't stop here as we have both visited them many times and know how gorgeous they are so after a quick coffee stop in Kendal we decided to push on a bit and find a campsite for the night. Unfortunately this proved difficult, either it was cash only or no tents so after some debate we decided to rough it for the night. This also proved difficult, as much as it looks amazing on an Instagram post, unless you know where to go out of the way and with us riding on roads and not hiking up fells we couldn't find anywhere for a long time. With knackered legs we finally did and braved it. Quick pitch, cuppa, protein bar and bed.
We're off!
Locals are friendly.
Photos dont do this justice
Great burger, better hospitality.
First stealth camp, remained respectful and left nothing but flat grass.
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