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I’m looking for a 50-ish miler that heads generally west, ending in Milburn, not far from Penrith. Needs to start as close to the A66 as possible as that’s where I’ll be dropped off (wife will continue in the car to Milburn). I was thinking Brough, then head south, then NW towards Appleby - I don’t really know the towns or roads in that area that well so it might be a really shit idea.
The other option is do just to a loop from Milburn itself the following day, once the hangover has ebbed away…
Any insight etc appreciated.
Lanes south of the a66 generally make for nice riding. I did a sportive based in appleby that took us up past a big reservoir (Selset) to middleton in teesdale and over the high moors around alston before dropping down hartside and along back lanes to return. Was a great ride, with lots of climbing, but would be exposed in poor weather.
You'd not go far wrong making a route up, just don't spend any time on the a66.
Tom (lakes non-roadie)
Thanks Tom.
Maybe start at Scotch Corner…Richmond, Reeth, Tan Hill, Warcop, Dufton. Quite a way and prob quite chunky - thoughts? No A66 🙂
Any ride finishing in Milburn should include nipping up and down Great Dun Fell to warm down.
Brough - Middleton - Alston - Renwick - Melmerby?
Not sure of distance there, top end of Teesdale is nice. Mostly Co Durham that though. Lots of nice diversions on nearby roads if you fancy more scenic/more climbing. The west side of Hartside is fairly crap though (poor visibility, traffic) so I'd skip down the quiet way to Renwick after the initial drop then quiet Eden valley lanes to Knock and Great Dun Fell.
Cheers - did GDF on my old Commencal en route to Cross Fell years ago in appalling weather. Forever etched in my memory!
Not a roadie, but lived in Middleton-in-Teesdale for a bit. As above, avoid the A66 entirely (and A685 where possible).
The road between Brough and Middleton is an absolute favourite, stunning views and pretty quiet. I'd probably do it in both directions with a loop up into Teesdale/ Weardale at the end! Descending Hartside as an alternative wouldn't be too bad, but I wouldn't want to go up it.
Otherwise, you can't go too far wrong heading for Tan Hill and Reeth.
I'm Lancaster based but ride up that way a fair bit. I rode the length of Cumbria yesterday from near Carlisle. The lanes are quiet and generally in good conditions compared to some parts of the country. That bit between the North Lakes and North Pennines is so quiet.
The Brough-Middleton road is a stunner - nothing too steep (once you get out of Brough lol). An alterative from Appleby or Temple Sowerby, would be: south to Newby, then south over Crosby Ravensworth, over the fell to Tebay, then the amazing Howgill road to Sedbergh and back via the Mallerstang valley, Kirkby Stephen and Warcop. That's about 60-odd miles according to Google but you could chop off the Sedbergh bit and stay north of the Howgills.
The Eden Valley Epic sportif route goes right through Milburn - 58.7mi
https://www.strava.com/routes/7779585?hl=en-GB