What to do on my day off

[Sandra6]

If, like you, I lived in Cumbria I would head to the Lake District, ride my bike round a bit, wouldn't care if it was the MTB or road bike, and then find a Lake District pub and get 'ratted' on real ale. A perfect day.

People think everyone in Cumbria has the lakes on their doorstep, but for me it's a 30 mile ride to start with. Not impossible, but to be honest I don't like the roads between me and the lakes on a bike. Too many tourists(and locals actually) not paying enough attention on blind bends for my liking.

If you want to avoid the crowds and fancy a change from Cumbria, take your bike down to Lancaster on the train and tackle one of the Le Terrier routes round the lovely, quiet Forest of Bowland!

I fancied that idea, until I realised it was 20 miles from the train station to the forest before I even got going. I'd make it there, but I might not make it back after!
@Ffoeg I'm comfortable with 20 -30miles, and could probably push to 40 if I had a long enough rest (and feed!) in the middle.
I do like the idea of a train, then a pedal. I was wondering about doing Penrith to Keswick, or possibly Haltwhistle and see how far I make it back.
OR I could get the train to Dumfries and head out to Maibie or Ae for the forest experience.
And Mcshroom, I get tired in the car going up to Caldbeck, no way would I make it on my bike. lol.

 

[biggs682]

Stay in bed?

i wish i could some days

 

[Deleted member 23692]

How about train down to Lazonby and make your way back along the Eden
or
Train to Armathwaite then back via Brampton to pick up NCN72 back to Carlisle
or
NCN 72 out via the Sheepmount and then through Beaumont to Burgh, and then back via Thurstonfield, Little Orton and pick up the Dalston Cycleway at Cummersdale.

There's plenty of choice in the 20-30mile range

Penrith to Keswick is a good ride, but how are you going to get back?

 

[BigonaBianchi]

Just start riding....turn.left at junctions, right at roundabouts and straight over at lights...if you.get lost reverse this .

 

[Sandra6]

Penrith to Keswick is a good ride, but how are you going to get back?

Much more slowly than I get there probably.
I've done that bit of ncn72 and round before - not on purpose, but that's where I ended up. I hadn't considered Lazonby or Armathwaite, both good options. Thanks.

 

[classic33]

If nobody comes up with a sensible solution to the dilemma I may end up on the sofa watching Jeremy Kyle.

Watching Jeremy Kyle, a "sensible solution" !

 

[mcshroom]

If you are looking for 20-30 miles without too much uphill, then how about catching a train to Maryport, riding along the promenade and up the coast (NCN72) to Allonby and then cutting back in land and picking up a train at Aspatria/Wigton?

Another idea is a ride along the Solway. There's a nice ride along the English side heading towards Port Carlisle or Bowness-on-Solway (NCN72) and then a return either on that road or drop south to the Kirkbampton road.

Otherwise follow NCN7 up to Gretna and then follow the coast to Annan on the Scottish side.

 

[ColinJ]

[Le Terrier route in Forest of Bowland] I fancied that idea, until I realised it was 20 miles from the train station to the forest before I even got going. I'd make it there, but I might not make it back after!

Sandra, you can't be familiar with the area ... It is only about 1.5 miles from Lancaster station to where you go out under the M6 and after that you are into some seriously nice cycling country! The 'short route' brings you back in to Lancaster on a good cycle path and if you stick to that rather than leaving it on the way back to where the actual event started, you can get right to the end of one platform at Lancaster station!

You'd be looking at about 45 miles in total.

 

[Sandra6]

That puts it back on the list then Colin - I just looked on google maps for directions from the station to the forest. Although it's highly likely I'll get lost.

 

[ColinJ]

That puts it back on the list then Colin - I just looked on google maps for directions from the station to the forest. Although it's highly likely I'll get lost.

I strongly recommend getting yourself a GPS. I have been using one since 2006 and the only times I took a wrong turn have been when I got distracted and forgot to look at it, or when I tried to improvise a new route out on the road and switched the device off!

Here's a picture I took along the Trough of Bowland which is on the route I linked to ...

 

[Sandra6]

I have gps on my phone, but I don't know how to work it. I've tried using it before but it confuses me even more - and there is a high chance of me falling off the bike while concentrating on it.
The area looks fantastic in that pic, but I'm thinking with the weather being sooo hot, I may stay local (under 20miles). Eldest son is almost persuaded to come with me, and 20 will be a push for him.
Putting the trough of Bowland on the list for an adventure with Mr6 at a later date though, definitely.