Total Warrior - Lake District
Last month Mark Beaumont completed his cycle around the world - he achieved this amazing adventure in under 79 days, a new world record. The whole thing was also captured on Strava, so on top of his Guinness World Record he was also safe in the knowledge than the ride counted, as we all know, if it's not on Strava it didn't happen.
Mark averaged well over 200 miles a day and showed what a great adventurer and athlete he is. Alongside Cumbria resident Sean Conway who attempted to break the record for cycling across Europe earlier in the year we felt inspired to get out on our bikes and go on an adventure. We wanted to start local and build to something epic.
We thought we'd list the best Cumbrian cycling adventures that we can find, whether you're a roady or a MTB rider, we think you'll agree there are plenty of rides and events to chose here in Cumbria's playground. We hope you're as inspired as us, who knows... maybe we can travel the world next... from Cumbria of course.
How many of these have you done? Are there any other ones we have missed? Get in touch, let us know and most of all - Get Outside and Live!
1) The Coast to Coast C2C
The C2C is probably the most popular cycle route from Cumbria, thousands of people each year cycle the width of Britain to or from the West Cumbrian Coast. The journey is usually completed West to East, this way you have the winds behind you for those big climbs when approaching the Pennines. Tradition dictates that one should start the journey with dipping your rear tyres into the West Coast sea on departure and on arrival to the East Coast dip your front tyres to complete the journey... although if your Owen from Go Cumbria tradition dictates you should slide down the slope in Whitehaven Harbour in your cleats all the way into the sea to begin your journey with wet feet.
Mark averaged well over 200 miles a day and showed what a great adventurer and athlete he is. Alongside Cumbria resident Sean Conway who attempted to break the record for cycling across Europe earlier in the year we felt inspired to get out on our bikes and go on an adventure. We wanted to start local and build to something epic.
We thought we'd list the best Cumbrian cycling adventures that we can find, whether you're a roady or a MTB rider, we think you'll agree there are plenty of rides and events to chose here in Cumbria's playground. We hope you're as inspired as us, who knows... maybe we can travel the world next... from Cumbria of course.
How many of these have you done? Are there any other ones we have missed? Get in touch, let us know and most of all - Get Outside and Live!
1) The Coast to Coast C2C
Start: Whitehaven / Workington
End: Sunderland
Distance: 140 miles
Terrain: Cycle Tracks and Roads (approx 50/50)
The C2C is probably the most popular cycle route from Cumbria, thousands of people each year cycle the width of Britain to or from the West Cumbrian Coast. The journey is usually completed West to East, this way you have the winds behind you for those big climbs when approaching the Pennines. Tradition dictates that one should start the journey with dipping your rear tyres into the West Coast sea on departure and on arrival to the East Coast dip your front tyres to complete the journey... although if your Owen from Go Cumbria tradition dictates you should slide down the slope in Whitehaven Harbour in your cleats all the way into the sea to begin your journey with wet feet.
The journey can be completed over a long weekend with friends and family or can be completed in a day if you're completely bonkers. Much like Go Cumbria's Paddy, who will attempt to complete the C2C from Workington on Saturday October 7th - even he isn't sure why he is doing it, but he said he would, and he's nothing but true to his word... and stubborn... and determined.
2) Reivers Cycle Way / Hadrians Cycle Way
3) The Fred Whitton
Arguably the most famous Cumbrian cycle challenge, a must on the bucket list for anyone keen on cycling it attracts riders form around the UK and World each year. 'The Fred' takes on all of the Lake District's famous passes. The brutal 112 mile route takes on Kirkstone, Honister, Newlands, Whinlatter, Hardknott and Wrynose racking up a staggering 3950m of climbing along the way. All in all it is one of the most difficult cycling challenges around and most riders set of looking to complete the ride before they start crying.
Paddy completed the Fred earlier in the year, he made it all the way to Cold Fell before he stopped talking to himself and almost 3/4 of the way to Hardknott before he started to cry (properly cry, the previous efforts were just something in his eye). You can read about it here in our blog http://gocumbriaevents.blogspot.co.uk/2017/05/the-fred-fred-whitton-2017.html
4) Lakes and Dales Loop
The near 200 mile route can be done in a variety of ways, ranging from the nut job day long attempt to a week long journey around the Lakes the route winds around the outskirts of the Lake District around Cumbria and the Yorkshire Dales. There are also various options to do parts of the whole loop in smaller day long sections too, so if you're up here for a day why not give a section a go and let us know how it goes.
The Lakes and Dales Loop is all set to be a great Go Cumbria adventure in the not to distance future. We're heading off on the Loop early next year and I can't wait to get started and do some practice recce runs.
5) South Lakes 100 (#Jennride)
The Jennride is a 100 mile / 200km bike packing adventure (not a race) from Stavely to Dungeon Ghyll and back. The majority of the ride is off road and places are limited so if you fancy it you need to register early. The event was arranged by Richard Munro and can be completed as a oner or over a longer period if you want to camp out on the journey.
The approach you take all depends on how much luggage you're willing to carry and how far you want to cycle. The trade off being the more luggage you take the more comfortable your nights sleep will be, the less you take the easier it will be on the legs!
The route takes on some great tracks, bridleways and climbs... the rewards are some amazing views, great descents and also a few pubs and cafes on the way.
6) Lakeland Monster Miles
The Monster Miles is a cross bike event, it includes long sections of road and also bridleways and off road sections. Kicking off in Fitz Park, Keswick the Monster is a very tough Adventure Cross event, offering a wide range of challenges during the full loop.
7) Grizedale MTB Challenge
I rode this event in 2016 and was really looking forward rot the return of the event in 2017, unfortunately due to low numbers the event was cancelled, I hope the event returns in 2018 and if it does please get yourselves down, the event is great fun... it's bleeding hard work but worth the efforts to get to cycle some places you don't normally get the chance to. The route went the wrong way round some of the North Face track and around a few off the beaten tracks of the Grizedale Forrest resulting in some epic riding and some amazing views. Check the website for details.
8) Trail Centres for MTBing
Reivers Start: Whitehaven
Reivers End: Tynemouth
Distance: 173 miles
Terrain: Cycle Tracks and Minor Roads
Hadrians Start: Ravenglass
Hadrians End: Sunderland
Distance: 174miles
Terrain: Cycle Tracks and Minor Roads
A variation on a theme, the Reivers and Hadrians Cycleways are two more Coast to Coast rides with slightly different routes. The Reivers Route takes on the path taken all those years ago by our good old friends the Border Reivers on their way out to cause mischief and the Hadrians Cycle Way follows the path of Hadrians Wall along the old Scottish Border.
The Reivers Cycleway was my first bike packing adventure. My Dad and I started the route over a weekend when I was about 15, we still remember the ride now and talk about it to this day. I'll never forget my Dad bodging a fix on a flat tyre and stopping every 20 minutes to pump his tyre back up... every 20 minutes for an entire day. It was a long day, a very long day, and we didn't talk a lot during that day. But the rest of the ride was great and much like the C2C the route can be done in one go for the ultra mad or at a much more leisurely place.
Start: Grassmere
End: Grassmere
Distance: 112miles
Terrain: Minor Roads & Hills (Mainly Hills)
Arguably the most famous Cumbrian cycle challenge, a must on the bucket list for anyone keen on cycling it attracts riders form around the UK and World each year. 'The Fred' takes on all of the Lake District's famous passes. The brutal 112 mile route takes on Kirkstone, Honister, Newlands, Whinlatter, Hardknott and Wrynose racking up a staggering 3950m of climbing along the way. All in all it is one of the most difficult cycling challenges around and most riders set of looking to complete the ride before they start crying.
Paddy completed the Fred earlier in the year, he made it all the way to Cold Fell before he stopped talking to himself and almost 3/4 of the way to Hardknott before he started to cry (properly cry, the previous efforts were just something in his eye). You can read about it here in our blog http://gocumbriaevents.blogspot.co.uk/2017/05/the-fred-fred-whitton-2017.html
4) Lakes and Dales Loop
Start/Finish: The route goes all the way around the Lake District, you can start or end wherever is most convenient for yourselves. We're doing the route next March and are starting from Cockermouth.
Distance: 196 miles
Terrain: Mixed
The near 200 mile route can be done in a variety of ways, ranging from the nut job day long attempt to a week long journey around the Lakes the route winds around the outskirts of the Lake District around Cumbria and the Yorkshire Dales. There are also various options to do parts of the whole loop in smaller day long sections too, so if you're up here for a day why not give a section a go and let us know how it goes.
The Lakes and Dales Loop is all set to be a great Go Cumbria adventure in the not to distance future. We're heading off on the Loop early next year and I can't wait to get started and do some practice recce runs.
5) South Lakes 100 (#Jennride)
Start: Stavely
End: Stavely
Distance: 100miles or 200km
Terrain: Off Road MTB
The Jennride is a 100 mile / 200km bike packing adventure (not a race) from Stavely to Dungeon Ghyll and back. The majority of the ride is off road and places are limited so if you fancy it you need to register early. The event was arranged by Richard Munro and can be completed as a oner or over a longer period if you want to camp out on the journey.
The approach you take all depends on how much luggage you're willing to carry and how far you want to cycle. The trade off being the more luggage you take the more comfortable your nights sleep will be, the less you take the easier it will be on the legs!
The route takes on some great tracks, bridleways and climbs... the rewards are some amazing views, great descents and also a few pubs and cafes on the way.
6) Lakeland Monster Miles
Start: Keswick
End: Keswick
Distance: 65miles or 49miles
Terrain: Cross Bike
The Monster Miles is a cross bike event, it includes long sections of road and also bridleways and off road sections. Kicking off in Fitz Park, Keswick the Monster is a very tough Adventure Cross event, offering a wide range of challenges during the full loop.
Whether you're after mud, trails, climbs or descents, the Monster has it all and is definitely not one for the feint hearted. Why not get out and give it a go.. set yourself the challenge and work up to it for next year!
7) Grizedale MTB Challenge
Start: Grizedale Forrest
End: Grizedale Forrest
Distance: 40miles
Terrain: Off Road & Singletrack MTB
Route: http://www.gmbc.co.uk
I rode this event in 2016 and was really looking forward rot the return of the event in 2017, unfortunately due to low numbers the event was cancelled, I hope the event returns in 2018 and if it does please get yourselves down, the event is great fun... it's bleeding hard work but worth the efforts to get to cycle some places you don't normally get the chance to. The route went the wrong way round some of the North Face track and around a few off the beaten tracks of the Grizedale Forrest resulting in some epic riding and some amazing views. Check the website for details.
8) Trail Centres for MTBing
We also have some trail centres and a bike park, as well as the masses of Mountains and Lakes to go exploring on and around on your bikes - trail centres are a great way to get out on your MTB and improve your skills. The Whinlatter and Grizedale centres are great for longer rides and days out, while the GNAR centre is a progressive bike park which is a fantastic way to get out and hone your skills, progressing from roots, ruts and mud through to some massive drops and jumps it has something for all skills and experiences - practice at GNAR and then get out and enjoy the Lake District.
Whinlatter Forrest
Grizedale Forrest
GNAR Bike Park, Penrith
9) Get Out on Your Bike
There are so many different options for cycling. Road, MTB or Cross Bikes. For the beginner or the expert, a nice family ride or an epic challenge to make your legs scream. Cumbria has it all and the best way to get involved is to get your bike out the garage and see where it takes you! That's what we do here and the people you meet and the rides you experience will lead you to your next adventure.
Join a cycle club, there are loads of local ones to suit your style of riding and ability. If you're after some hints or tips, or want us to promote your event here, then get in touch and let us know. We want to make it easy for everyone to get out on their bikes and Go Ride.
Anyway, we're totally inspired by Mark and Sean - so we're off out on out bikes.
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