Kendal
Added on Thursday, February 7th, 2008 by Carole Nash Editor
The Lake District is pure biking territory! A combination of jaw-dropping scenery and knee-scraping roads make the region a must-do for the touring biker. Its mountainous terrain offers fantastic rides with roads like the Kirkstone Pass combining a G-force generating altitude drop and more hairpins than Vidal Sassoon! Hang-outs at the infamous Devil’s Bridge, Hartside Cafe at Alston and various bike-friendly hostelries mean it’s pretty social too. But beware, in summer the Lakes are popular with the blue-rinse brigade so be prepared for perilously slow moving tourist coaches and Nissan Micras around every corner. Remember too that those lakes didn’t come from nowhere - the region is one of the UK’s wettest. But when the sun shines few places better it. insidebikes’ route takes in some of the finest roads the region has to offer but if you’ve got the time you’d be well advised to set up camp and go for an explore. With Lancashire and the transpennine routes into Yorkshire on the doorstep, it’s also an ideal start, middle or finishing point for wider tours of UK biker country.
The Route
Kendal-Shap-Penrith-Kirkstone Pass-Troutbeck Bridge-Windermere-Kendal
Ride out of Kendal on the old A6, following the signs for Shap and Penrith. Get your head sorted for the next 20-ish miles of high speed, spectacular bends, gradually climbing approximately 1400 feet above sea level to Shap village. Fantastic views of the Lakeland fells to your left if you fancy taking it slower and admiring the scenery.
Continue on the A6 through the 40mph limit Shap village following signs for Penrith. The road is flatter and straighter now and watch out for 30mph sections through Hackthorpe and Clifton. Penrith is historic old market town if you fancy stopping for a bite to eat, but if not head West, onto the A66, signed to Keswick and Ullswater.
After approximately 3 miles, turn left onto the A592 signed Ullswater, then follow the road as it twists and turns, bringing lakeside views about 5 miles further on. Beware of heavy tourist traffic on this road, which is so narrow and bumpy in places that it should be treated as a B road. Hikers, coaches, tractors and car drivers looking at the scenery rather than the road, are all hazards here. Glenridding village at the South end of Ullswater has a large car park frequented by bikers on Sundays.
Continue along A592 through 30mph Patterdale village, then get set for a challenging ascent up Kirkstone Pass, with plenty of ramblers and tourist traffic to watch out for, plus drystone walls lining the road in places. The Kirkstone Inn at the summit is a regular bikers weekend hangout.
From the inn you can head down the A592 to Windermere, or take a right onto the B road to Ambleside, which drops severely from Kirkstone Inn. Both roads are very twisty, with hikers and loose sheep present, plus fantastic views. Use caution through Troutbeck and Troutbeck Bridge villages as these are particularly popular with ramblers.
Ambleside and Windermere are both extremely busy tourist hotspots from May-September, with lots of cafes, shops and parking should you fancy a breather. Continue down the A592 to Bowness of you want to cross Lake Windermere on the ferry to see Grizedale. Or follow signs for Kendal on the A591 out of Windermere to complete the circle.
From Kendal, take the A591, then 590 following signs for Skipton, then cross the M6 and take the A65 to Kirby Lonsdale to find the Devil’s Bridge biker hangout, which is packed on Sundays. Do not park on yellow lines, or you WILL get a ticket from the Police here.
Speed Traps
Cumbria Police confirm that the county is Gatso free territory although hotspots are targeted by hand-held traps. An unmarked video car has been reported on the A65 to catch speeding bikers.
Tourist Information
Cumbria Tourist Board, Ashleigh, Holly Road, Windermere, Cumbria, LA23 2AQ.
Police File
Cumbria police spokesman Mike Smith advises: “Whilst taking action to enforce the law and prosecute those who infringe traffic laws, Cumbria Constabulary is keen to encourage and help riders develop safer riding techniques” In practice this means the use of marked and unmarked vehicles in targeted areas together with provision of safer riding courses and displays at hang-outs such as Devils Bridge. He adds that whilst 1999 saw five motorcycling fatalities and 69 serious injuries in Cumbria, this route is not a particular problem and suffered no deaths.
Biker Beds
For a touch of old fashioned rural charm try out Crook Hall in Crook off the B5824 between Kendal and Windermere. A working farm dating back to the 17th century it affords good hill views and is very reasonably priced. Windermere is chocca with B&Bs - best to check the tourist office for details - but if you want to venture slightly further, head towards Bowness and try Beaumont. Set within landscaped gardens overlooking the Fells, it’s reasonably priced accommodation includes membership of the local leisure complex.
Pitstops
Kendal’s Kent Tavern extends an exceptionally warm welcome to bikers. Hosts Christine and Cameron often lay on live music to complement a range of mainstream beers (including Stella, Heineken, Trophy, Boddingtons & Guinness) and bar food. En-route, if you’re suffering from altitude sickness, the Kirkstone Pass Inn is a great place to recover. Bustling Penrith is a good place to fill your belly. Topos Italian Restaurant is biker friendly and offers great, reasonably priced food - its lunchtime specials are particularly good value.
