Cycling Plus readers have voted this 40 mile South Lakeland cycle loop the best ride in Britain, and its on my door step!
A ride devised by James Hodgson, from Broughton in Furness, passes within a few yards of our base here at Lowick, and many of the routes miles are my regular rides. What a lucky chap I am!
James has won a brand new Boardman bike for his efforts which he is going to auction to raise funds for the local St. Mary’s Hospice in Ulverston. So if you log into the Hospice’s web site you may be able to bid on line?
But what of this testing Lakeland cycling loop? It takes in everything that is so very unique about Lake District cycling. A mountain pass aptly named Wrynose Pass with its steep ascent and tricky descent, quiet undulating lanes along the shores of Coniston Water, together with the very varied scenery of the South Cumbrian villages and hamlets.
I guess I’m very biased, but my bike hire and tour business is based in this Lake District National Park, the perfect place for road cycling. And my top-of-the-range titanium road bikes for hire are perfectly geared for such an epic ride.
If you fancy trying the ride I can lead you or you can ride yourself, you can down load it at bit.ly/11syyJG or view a video of all the finalist in the Cycling Plus Best of British Road rides at bit.ly/1gVp5XJ.
Have fun looking, it’s a lot of work riding it, with 5593 ft of climbing (1700m).
Meanwhile back at the ranch, with the mild November air, I have been out cycling more than ever and am probably as fit as I have ever been at this time of year. Which is good as Margaret and I are off to Tenerife for a weeks cycling before Christmas.
Happy Christmas and a very Happy Cycling New Year.