Lake District - best roads and campsites

[rictus01]

If you base yourself at Ambleside, which is fairly central (ambleside backpackers is a good place to crash), then it'll give you a good run up Kirkstone Pass, then onto the A592, up along side Ullswater, cut back along the A66 towards Keswick, down the B5322, to Thilmere, and back to Ambleside on the A591, a nice non-taxing run.

A more complex route would be something like, A593 down right onto the A595 to Smitty road, leading to Ulpha, at Ulpha turn left (towards woodend) and follow that road to the end (T juction), it's very much like the passes; as in narrow windy roads, but tottally flat and open, so you can see across, a good practise for what's to come.

At the T Junction turn Right towards beckford /boot, and follow that road across Hardknott pass, at the end (Cockley Beck) you'll see a signpost, turn Left to do Wrynose pass, heading to Little Langdale, then back onto the A593 and back again to ambleside.

Oh and the road to wast water is pretty good to...

HTH

Cheers Mark.

Thanks guys, thats really helpful, I knew you'd sort me out!! :P

I did HardKnott in a car back in 2000 when I got married in Kendal and it scared the **** out of me, luckily it was a hire car cos I think I probably killed the clutch!! Is it as scary on a bike?

[rictus01]

cars don't fall over on the steep bits, so don't stop.......

You'll be fine, just take it steady.

Cheers Mark.

[dizzyblonde]

Originally Posted by rictus01

A more complex route would be something like, A593 down right onto the A595 to Smitty road, leading to Ulpha, at Ulpha turn left (towards woodend) and follow that road to the end (T juction), it's very much like the passes; as in narrow windy roads, but tottally flat and open, so you can see across, a good practise for what's to come.

.

You mentioned Ulpha. I have been entertained by the roads Mark suggests last year when we went on a little ride
It is a little taxing, but bleddy hell does it get rid of your demons. Cured me of certain confidence issues, I felt like a riding god after that....

.....well ok, I improved slightly

if your heading that way watch out for a dark grey VW Golf, its an unmarked car and can be seen most weekends on the A65 to devils bridge,
also if you go past ambleside for another 4 miles you come to grasmere, iv camped on the sports field many times and they have showers, toilets, would need to check thats its open though,
other than that have an awsome time, the run over to elterwater is nice

[rictus01]

Originally Posted by dizzyblonde

Cured me of certain confidence issues, I felt like a riding god after that....

.....well ok, I improved slightly

Goddess Love for sure, I was pleasently surprised at the pace you kept, didn't get half the fag stopped I expected, you were awesome, we'll repeat that at some future date, perhaps on a pair of massive V twins, see if we can shake the rock or two loose......

Cheers Mark.

[Richie]

Arr, back now from my time again in the Lakes....


So what was the question ?


:0)

[Richie]

Ar Darlinginton... When ????????
As it the Black Rat Ride out then... 2500 odd bikers around Catterick will assemble ..
:0)

I'll be there and hopefully a few more :0)

If it happens it'll be the first weekend in September, theres an EAR rideout on the 19th so cant do Black Rat which is a real shame

[dizzyblonde]

Originally Posted by rictus01

Goddess Love for sure, I was pleasently surprised at the pace you kept, didn't get half the fag stopped I expected, you were awesome, we'll repeat that at some future date, perhaps on a pair of massive V twins, see if we can shake the rock or two loose......

Cheers Mark.

I was just with the right person for the job who let me ride my own ride, non of these pillocks who seem to think giving too much opinion on riding style helps!

hmmmmmm I wonder if it might cause a rockslide with those new cans
We shall see how loud at the end of the month.