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Cycling in the Lakes
(Pictures from our holiday Oct/Nov 2009)
Cycle paths are a great way to see the countryside.
Even though there are lots of mountains in the Lake District this cycle path from Rawrah to Whitehaven uses an old railway cutting and is reasonably flat.
It's a slight down hill on the way to Whitehaven and a slight uphill - but easily manageable - on the way back though we didn't go as far as Whitehaven itself.
This route has lots of iron sculptures to look at on route which are made out of old iron railway equipment.
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This route is a Sustrans Cycle Route and connects with the C2C (Coast to Coast) route. It is classed as a level 1 ride which is an 'easy' standard. The surface is smooth and a comfortable ride.
There are lots of signposts giving clear indications of the villages en route and sights to see along the way.
Cycling is a great way to get about, burn a few calories and keep fit. If you use a dedicated cycle route like this one, there's no traffic either and you can cycle safely with the knowledge that motorised vehicles cannot use the route. |
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This ornate bridge depicts some of the typical iron sculptures along this route.
It's a great day out too if you have children, as they can cycle in safety and also 'hunt' for the next sculpture or resting place.
There are lots of places to stop along the way if you want to have a picnic or cup of tea etc. You can choose between wooded glades or the wider panorama of the coastal Lakeland slopes.
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Old railway sleepers are converted to resting places where you can stop, have a drink and take in the views.
Outdoor activities like this don't have to be challenging to bring health benefits such as conditioning the heart and lungs, assist with weight control and also improve sleeping patterns.
Cycling outdoors also brings mental health benefits such as lifting your mood and improving your self esteem - especially when you realise how far you have cycled! |
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Another day, another route. This is not a Sustrans Route and is classified as a level 2 - slightly more challenging.
We decided that there is a big difference between the two levels!!
Though we still rode the route and saw the fantastic views of Ennerdale Lake from the top of the valley.
The surface is very stoney and bumpy and not a comfortable ride, but we still enjoyed it.
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The route is very isolated, being in one of the most remote areas of the Lakes and is popular with hikers. There is a very remote Youth Hostel at the head of the valley.
This is the turning point of the ride and you can stop at the hostel if you wish, but you have to take your own refreshments with you. It's a DIY or picnic stop.
Just down the hill is a fast rushing ford with a very pebbly base through which you have to cycle at a reasonable speed to get across, or risk getting your feet very wet. |
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It took me about 5 minutes of deliberation before I managed to summon the courage to cycle across the ford!
Sadly no photos of this achievement! Graham (husband), who flew through the ford without a second thought, was distracted trying to encourage me to cycle across - whimp that I am.
But I did get off my bike and 'posed' for a photo afterwards. It was downhill on the way back too!
This was a fabulous ride, even though it was quite challenging. We were rewarded by thefantastic views of the mountains and valleys, which are otherwise unseen by many Lakeland visitors. |
So if you want to keep fit, control weight, feel good and see parts of the countryside otherwise unseen
Get your bike out!
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