Cycling in the Lake District

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Guidebook to the Fred Whitton Challenge ride (179km/112 miles over 7 iconic passes) and an alternative 5-day tour of the Lake District, plus 15 tough day rides from Keswick, Ambleside, Penrith and bases to the southwest and southeast of the National Park, taking in the best of the area’s road cycling.

Cicerone says

Guidebook to the 179km/112 mile Fred Whitton Challenge ride, plus a 5-day cycle tour and 15 challenging day rides through the Lake District. Exploring the beautiful scenery of the national park, the routes are suitable for cyclists with a good level of fitness and are perfect for cycling from April through October.

• Full logistical information, advice and tips for taking on the Fred Whitton Challenge
• Day rides range from 31 to 68km (19–42 miles), with difficulty from moderate to challenging
• A 5-day cycle tour of the Lake District taking in dales, lakes and passes
• Key centres include Ambleside, Grasmere, Troutbeck, Shap, Penrith, Stainton, Keswick, Cockermouth, Eskdale Green, Ravenglass, Broughton in Furness, Grizedale, Cartmel, Grange-over-Sands, Bassenthwaite and Buttermere
• 1:100,000 or 1:200,000 mapping and elevation profile included for each route
• GPX files available to download

Our Verdict

For nearly 50 years Cicerone have been producing guidebooks on recognised treks, regions, areas and general tips for hikers.

We have used them countless times and they’ve always provided excellent insight and knowledge that you only get through experience, giving you the edge to make your trip a success and more enjoyable too.

If you’re a gram counter you can easily remove sections of the book to take with you making your own ultra-lightweight guidebook with only the essential sections that you require.

– Reviewed by Ultralight Outdoor Gear

Features

• Seasons: The best time to go touring in the Lake District is between April and October, when the days are longer and the weather is at its best. But even then, you will undoubtedly get wet and experience blustery days. So be prepared for them. As a general rule always plan your route so that you are riding south to north with the prevailing south westerly winds.
• Centres: Ambleside, Grasmere, Troutbeck, Shap, Penrith, Stainton, Keswick, Cockermouth, Eskdale Green, Ravenglass, Broughton in Furness, Grizedale, Cartmel, Grange-over-Sands, Bassenthwaite, Buttermere
• Difficulty: Each tour stage and day ride and is graded on two criteria: distance with rides categorised as short, medium or long, and total ascent with rides categorised as easy, moderate, hard or challenging. Easy – smooth pedalling with gentle inclines Moderate – undulating with an occasional steady climb, but nothing to get you out of the saddle Hard – involves some hard climbs with gradients up to 10 per cent Challenging – long steep ascents or multiple short sharp gradients that will most definitely hurt. Inevitably, the majority of rides fall into the latter categories.
• Must See: Incredible scenery and rare wildlife – the Lake District is England’s largest national park; local craft breweries; local foods; Kirkstone Pass; Hardknott Pass; the impressive panorama of Yewbarrow, Kirkfell, Great Gable and Scafell Pike from Wasdale Head

Specifications

• Weight:  230g
• Published: 18 March 2024
• Edition: Second
• Number of pages: 208
• Size: 17.2 x 11.6 x 1.25cm

Table of Contents

CCONTENTS

Map key

A Tour of the Lake District: route summary table and overview map

The Fred Whitton Challenge: overview map

Day Rides: route summary table and overview map

Introduction

The Fred Whitton Challenge

Lake District National Park

Geology and landscape

Plants and wildlife

History and culture

Getting there

Weather and when to ride

Where to stay

What type of bike?

Preparing your bike

Preparing yourself

Tips for completing the Fred Whitton Challenge

What to pack

How to pack

Riding comfortably

Fuelling your ride

Riding as a group

Cycle touring

Day rides

Maps and itineraries

Using this guide

A tour of the Lake District

The Eastern and Far Eastern Fells

Stage 1A Ambleside to Troutbeck over Kirkstone Pass

Stage 1B Ambleside to Troutbeck via Shap

The Northern Fells

Stage 2A Troutbeck to Keswick via Threlkeld

Stage 2B Troutbeck to Keswick via Hesket Newmarket

The North Western Fells

Stage 3A Keswick to Cockermouth over the passes

Stage 3B Keswick to Cockermouth via Lorton

The Western Fells

Stage 4A Cockermouth to Eskdale Green via Ennerdale Green

Stage 4B Cockermouth to Eskdale Green via Egremont

The Southern and Central Fells

Stage 5A Eskdale Green to Ambleside over the passes

Stage 5B Eskdale Green to Ambleside via Coniston and Hawkshead

Day rides

Ambleside and the Central Lakes

Route 1 Over the Wrynose and Hardknott passes from Ambleside

Route 2 Around the Central Fells

Route 3 A circuit of the Eastern Fells from Ambleside

Penrith and the North East

Route 4 Haweswater and Ullswater from Shap

Route 5 Lowther Park and Ullswater from Penrith

Route 6 Around Inglewood Forest

Keswick and the North West

Route 7 Loop around the Back o’ Skiddaw

Route 8 Whinlatter and Honister passes from Keswick

Route 9 Across Allerdale

The South West

Route 10 Back o’ Sellafield and Wasdale Head

Route 11 The Far South West from Ravenglass

Route 12 Around the Furness Fells from Broughton

The South East

Route 13 Around Grizedale Forest

Route 14 Across Windermere from Cartmel

Route 15 A circuit around Whitbarrow

Appendix A Useful contacts

Appendix B Accommodation

Appendix C What to take

Appendix D Further reading