lake district cycling route from penrith, advice please

[tomplodder]

Hi, I wondered if anyone could advise me,
i enjoyed cycling in the lake district last year, i got the train from Manchester to burneside station then i cycled along the A591 then turned onto the A592 heading north towards and planning to go to lake Ullswater, but i found the hills too exhausting, i am not as young as i used to be! so i only got as far as the kirkstone pass inn then i turned left and went down the struggle ( nickname for kirkstone pass ) into Ambleside where i stayed overnight in a BandB, the next day i cycled slowly around lake windermere then got the train home from burneside.

I would like to go cycling again in similar areas when the weather improves, but i was wondering if it would be better to get the train to Penrith then cycle south past lake Ullswater to the kirkstone pass inn then down into Ambleside, some gentle cycling the next day and train back home from burneside. Has anyone cycled from Penrith into the lake district along the A592, are the hills a little more forgiving from that direction, many thanks, Tom

 

[MikeW-71]

The Penrith side is steeper and the climb is continuous. Just to be sadistic, the steepest section is at the top. From the Windermere side, the climb is longer but there are some flatter bits to get a breather on. The Kirkstone Pass Inn is right on the top, so you were about 200 metres from the descent to Ullswater.

Once you are into the Lakes, there is no such thing as a flat route, you'll have climbing wherever you go, but if you avoid the high passes, it's manageable.

 

[tomplodder]

Hi Mike. Sounds like i would probably need an ebike if starting from the Penrith side. I may cycle the same route as last time or research areas that avoid the high passes. Many thanks for your kind advice. Tom

 

[jazzkat]

There's lots of great riding in the lakes that are no where near as gruelling as the big name passes. Over the day they do tend to add up a bit but they tend to be short sharp inclines. Some great riding around Coniston and quieter too.
There's also a nice ride from Penrith down the A6 to Shap village, then along the B6261 to Orton, Tebay then drops into Kendal - no lakes though and only one long, but not too bad a climb (easier than Kirkstone)! If you can ride up to the Kirkstone Inn then you'd manage most things if you stayed away from the 'big names'.

There are some great routes out of Kendal as well. Out towards Arnside knott and the RSPB reserve at Leighton moss. Over towards Kirkby Lonsdale (a bit lumpier though). Towards Grange over sands (mainly pan flat).

 

[cnb]

Why not try the CTC route from Penrith to Keswick , Cut off at Threlkeld through St Johns in the vale round the quiet side of Thirlmere then down to Grassmere and Ambleside...Only major Climb would be Dunmail raise...Or if you really want to ride Kirkstone pass Follow CTC route and cut off on the A5091 through Matterdale to Ullswater...Caution though the Dunmail raise and Kirkstone pass roads can be busy...

 

[tomplodder]

Many thanks for your fantastic route suggestions, i will research these options thoroughly because they sound perfect for me.
I am a novice cyclist and ride a boardman mountain bike, but i have fitted swalbe slick tyres and i am learning about
correct cadence ( after great advice from a cyclist ) so i am building my fitness slowly up not getting as tired,
i just cannot wait for the weather to improve and i will be off!!! Cheers