Richard Barrett spent his working life as a professional marketer, but still found time for climbing, winter mountaineering and sea kayaking. He first visited the Harris hills as a teenager and became a regular visitor. He lived in North Harris for a number of years, where he and his wife ran a guest house and, although now a city-dweller, he still makes frequent forays to the Hebrides, reconnecting with the wilderness and catching up with old friends.
Description
Map key
A Tour of the Lake District: route summary table and overview map
The Fred Whitton Challenge: overview map
Day Rides: route summary table and overview map
Introduction
The Fred Whitton Challenge
Lake District National Park
Geology and landscape
Plants and wildlife
History and culture
Getting there
Weather and when to ride
Where to stay
What type of bike?
Preparing your bike
Preparing yourself
Tips for completing the Fred Whitton Challenge
What to pack
How to pack
Riding comfortably
Fuelling your ride
Riding as a group
Cycle touring
Day rides
Maps and itineraries
Using this guide
A tour of the Lake District
The Eastern and Far Eastern Fells
Stage 1A Ambleside to Troutbeck over Kirkstone Pass
Stage 1B Ambleside to Troutbeck via Shap
The Northern Fells
Stage 2A Troutbeck to Keswick via Threlkeld
Stage 2B Troutbeck to Keswick via Hesket Newmarket
The North Western Fells
Stage 3A Keswick to Cockermouth over the passes
Stage 3B Keswick to Cockermouth via Lorton
The Western Fells
Stage 4A Cockermouth to Eskdale Green via Ennerdale Green
Stage 4B Cockermouth to Eskdale Green via Egremont
The Southern and Central Fells
Stage 5A Eskdale Green to Ambleside over the passes
Stage 5B Eskdale Green to Ambleside via Coniston and Hawkshead
Day rides
Ambleside and the Central Lakes
Route 1 Over the Wrynose and Hardknott passes from Ambleside
Route 2 Around the Central Fells
Route 3 A circuit of the Eastern Fells from Ambleside
Penrith and the North East
Route 4 Haweswater and Ullswater from Shap
Route 5 Lowther Park and Ullswater from Penrith
Route 6 Around Inglewood Forest
Keswick and the North West
Route 7 Loop around the Back o’ Skiddaw
Route 8 Whinlatter and Honister passes from Keswick
Route 9 Across Allerdale
The South West
Route 10 Back o’ Sellafield and Wasdale Head
Route 11 The Far South West from Ravenglass
Route 12 Around the Furness Fells from Broughton
The South East
Route 13 Around Grizedale Forest
Route 14 Across Windermere from Cartmel
Route 15 A circuit around Whitbarrow
Appendix A Useful contacts
Appendix B Accommodation
Appendix C What to take
Appendix D Further reading