Last weekend I spontaneously decided to book a B&B in Cumbria for this past Monday to Thursday, the weather forecast looked very good 'up North' and I'd been wanting to go back that way after my first visit last year with Mrs Mouse. This time I would be heading off alone, leaving Mrs Mouse to work. Day 1 The weather forecast nearer home was distinctly less good and it was raining for the first hour or so of riding. I had foolishly put my camera in an outside pocket so at the first stop I found it was sitting in a puddle of water, and was completely knackered After another hour of eating up the miles on dual-carriageway, this time under grey but dry clouds, I turned off to the more rural and scenic roads to ride north-east across the Yorkshire dales. Right on cue, the sun come out and I settled into that relaxed and happy cruising through the countryside feeling. A bit north of Grassington I spotted a Tiger 1050 with a flat rear and the owner putting in a compressed can of some instant repair stuff. He was riding back from Scotland with some friends who soon came back to find him, and together with one of their quick-fix cans and air from my battery operated tyre inflater he was mobile again. I earned an ice-cream for my good deed, which was gratefully received as I was finding waterproof liners were also sweat-proof and was getting very overheated in the sun. Moving again, with some cooling airflow, I headed down valleys and across fells. There were lots of sheep everywhere and at one point one ambled into the road ahead of me and promptly laid down on the white line in the middle of the road. They seem to like the heat of the tarmac for their afternoon siesta and I was to see quite a few doing so. I got to the B&B which was in a quiet village south of Penrith with more sheep roaming the streets.
Day 2 Today I was heading across to the Lake District. I took the main A66 road to Keswick, which though a bit busy still has great views to enjoy. After filling up with fuel and food supplies I headed south, down past Derwentwater and over Honister Pass. I ate elevensies in the shade of large rock by a stream, then headed along past Buttermere and around the end of Crummock Water Following the satnav kept me on the small roads to the west of the Lake District then around to Wast Water. I stood chatting at Wast Water for a while with another biker who gave me a route idea to avoid Windermere on the way back, and it was about 4pm before I set off. The road from Eskdale to Broughton-in-Furness was very nice, with great wide views By this time I was getting very hungry and conscious I still had a way to go, so rode with more urgency on the A road to Coniston and up to Ambleside. I was hoping to get a quick snack there, but couldn't find anything with a cursory search so pressed on, over The Struggle to Kirkside pass. Then up past Ullswater where I finally found shops with supplies in Pooley Bridge, including nice beer which I was soon enjoying when back at B&B about 7pm.
Day 3 The next day I headed to the North Pennines. I was a grey start and rather cold going up Hartside Pass, where I stopped for a while. Then off to Alston and down to Middleton-in-Teeside before following the B6276 back westward. The weather had brightened up by now, and the road was very quiet, so I found a spot to relax and have an early lunch picnic. I was now heading south to Hawes, which I knew would be a very nice route. Up over past Tan Hill Inn and down south again along single track roads where I found a parking spot to spend a while chilling out by myself. Then though dales and along Buttertubs pass I got to Hawes about 4pm and I was hoping to find hot food. It was very busy and the chippy was shut and I ended up at a place someone suggested which didn't provide very appetising food, but at least it filled a hole. I headed back to B&B for 6pm, to relax and get an early night because I expected the next day to be a long one. Day 4 The final day I met up with a friend at Hawes to go riding around the dales with. As it turned out this was a relaxing time with much chatting and photo stops, so I probably ended up not doing many more miles than if I'd retraced my day one route. We ended up at Squires Cafe before I headed home.
Thanks and yes, it sure is nice. Discovered it last year and now on my annual todo list along with Scottish Highlands. Must fit in Wales some time too as not been there on two wheels in recent decades. Handy thing this internet, can get good route ideas from reading about other forum members adventures, and from watching youtube channels.
What a fantastic story board. Loved the dialog and the pictures, which brought back loads of memories of rides in northern England. Thanks for posting.
great ride, great pics, and even greater north England roads to ride, well done, looks a very enjoyable few days,
Fantastic photos and write-up, @brown mouse! It looks like you had a wonderful and relaxing trip. You certainly were riding through some gorgeous countryside! I'm sure Mrs. Mouse was disappointed to not be able to join you. Thanks for sharing your travels with us!
Thanks, and I did Mrs Mouse won't miss out in September as she has booked leave for another 11 night Scotland tour
Beautiful country. Some of the pictures remind me of New England, but a bit less craggy and rugged. Would love to ride there someday.
