Bike Choice, Routes and Hello

[jethro10]

Hi, I've made one or two posts, but here is more info on me.

48, average fitness, but in a bad car crash 20 years ago, gives sciatica and back problems sometimes.
Looking for fitness pleasure and scenery, no racing or time trials.

Road Bike, no chance, bend too low, too hard, back problems etc.
For better or worse, a Front Suspension mountain bike, softer tyres, dampens back and arm problems and more upright for the scenery - even if it's mostly on road. Oh and the biggest gel seat ever, really help dampen the back vibration. Went with no rear suspension to fit rack and paniers for the day trips.

So I Started in March and got a bike and did 4 miles and ache's the next day like I couldn't imagine. Two weeks ago, about 5 months on, done 27 miles on and off road, and next day, mixed concrete for 2 hours!

Winter will no doubt be more for just keeping fit between the really bad weather, but summer, we'll I've seen some great sight's I never thought I'd enjoy. So the Wife is getting a bike now as some of the photo's are making here Jealous!

What I'm looking for is places to find routes in North west Cumbria and the North west lakes, 10-25 miles, basic "days out" scenery based, mix of on/off road etc. Places like Keswick, Buttermere, within 15 miles of Cockermouth (yes, it's called Cockermouth!)

Oh, and Hi!

Jeff

PS: With our area being so mountenous, and the scenery so wonderful, why is the local club road racing biased!

 

[nosherduke996]

Hi jeff, Just to say that like you have suffered back problems for the last 25 years, being a builder doesn,t help. I am 54 and do about 100miles a week on a road bike and also a couple of hrs on thursday evenings mountain biking.
Believe it or not i find the road riding is better for my back as it stretches the core and it doesn,t take as long to get over the discomfort.
I have been doing this distance for 4 months now and to be honest its the best i have felt in years

 

[jethro10]

My problem being my right arm is a bit weaker and often sore even in day to day living and often gets wore on a road bike, bending down on a road bike exacerbates the problem as well, I've tried one a few times.
So where I'm at is about the best compromise I can find unfortunatley.

Jeff

 

[trustysteed]

What I'm looking for is places to find routes in North west Cumbria and the North west lakes, 10-25 miles, basic "days out" scenery based, mix of on/off road etc. Places like Keswick, Buttermere, within 15 miles of Cockermouth (yes, it's called Cockermouth!)

welcome !

having just spent 3 days in the lake district near windermere, and driven through keswick, buttermere etc, i envy you. i kept looking at all the scenery (and hills) and kept thinking, wow, i'd be fit if i lived here. some beautiful ride routes round all the lakes and i would love to try the honister pass (25% in places) and the kirkstone pass (20% in places). wouldn't make it up in one go, i'm sure, but still love to try!

and yes, me and my wife had much mirth with 'cockermouth'!

 

[jethro10]

Thanks
Honister I don't think will ever be tackled by me ;-)

I just fond this, so lovelly routes, encompasing some offroad in places I didn't even know about!

http://www.cyclingcumbria.co.uk

 

[trustysteed]

Thanks
Honister I don't think will ever be tackled by me ;-)

it did look nasty, and that was going down (turning left out of the Sky Cafe)!