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So, I've a possible weekend free in mid September.
Traditionally, a bunch of us go to the Lakes, but that's not worked out for me this year.
If the weather's OK, I'll probably take the car, tent, bike and head up to the Lakes anyway and do a couple of rides (don't really need suggestions for this option).
Or, also thinking about some kind of bike-packing route (bivvy if weather is OK, more likely hostels)
Will likely head wherever the forecast ends up being best, but it'd be good to have a couple of options roughly planned out.
Needs to be within 2-3 hours travel from Leeds (either car or train). Big bike, HT, or gravel bike all options.
So - suggestions please!
Tweed Valley would be my choice, 1 day at the Golfie and a day exploring a bit.
Tweed Valley would be my choice, 1 day at the Golfie and a day exploring a bit.
Give us a shout if you decide on this and I'll show you around.
That's a tempting offer, but would probably like to avoid an 8-9 hour round trip ...
The Lakes is my default option for that kind of solo weekend thing too but how about Traws Eryri - the bikepacking route from Machynlleth to Conwy?
https://www.cyclinguk.org/routes/traws-eryri-map-and-gpx-file
Train to the start then train from Conwy to Manchester to Leeds afterwards.
I did a weekend back in mid-summer starting at Barrow-in-Furness (easy train access) then riding north all the way through the Lakes and finishing in Carlisle. Nice gravel bike ride, I quite like those point-to-point routes cos you see so much more.
Kirkby Stephen to Settle/Skipton/Ilkley (or other way round depending on wind direction. Lots of quiet, traffic-free options depending on distance you want to do; station at each end on direct line to Leeds, services that don't require bike booking.
September '23:
Montgomery's is a good idea for the gravel bike (just reread it and some buts might be more hardtail friendly!)
If you wanted a hardtail overnighter, I've headed south from hebden bridge by Pennine way to Marsden, up wessenden, Holme, dunford bridge, langset, cutgate ended up at castleton yha or camp if you carry a tent. Return leg up broken road, over rushop edge, Roych Clough to Hayfield then canal or Pennine bridleway if you've got the legs back to the Calder valley - it's about 170km, 3000m of up, and only a few bits of tarmac.
I often enjoy a solo weekend in D&G.
You can ride the big bike at Ae, there's tons of gravel out Gatehouse of Fleet way and Kirroughtree and Mabie are both fab on a hardtail.
Beautiful coastline too.
Don't know how you would do it with a tent, but the local lanes mostly west and south of Longleat Center Parcs are great if you like approx 75-100 feet climbing average per mile. For a bigger adventure, you can head to the Mendips and do an approx 75+ mile loop.
Burnham On Sea Haven site would put you close to the Mendips and for a bigger adventure, go around the estruary mouth to around Porlock.
Surprisingly, Leeds to Bristol Temple Meads is direct and only 3hrs20mins on the train.
I often enjoy a solo weekend in D&G.
I used to go to D&G to escape the tourists when I lived in Keswick. You couldn't pay me enough to go to the Lakes on any weekend now, but there's good stuff in D&G. Might be passing through in the next few weeks as part of a longer trip. Overdue, it's four years since my last visit.
This was good.
https://singletrackmag.com/forum/bike-forum/bit-of-a-lakes-adventure-weekend-pictures-addendum/
I've been itching to do it again.
I'd probably do it over 3 days /2 nights next time so I could do more off road. I had to miss bits out due to not really quite having enough time over 2 days.
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There are also loads of cross-peaks options you can easily do as an overnighter on't train from Leeds.
E.g. train to stalybridge, canals and old railways to Hayfield. Roych road or Jacobs ladder to edale/hope area. As much faffing on tracks round there as you want. Camp or stay overnight around there. Trails to either Sheffield, peniston, maybe Barnsley the following day
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You couldn't pay me enough to go to the Lakes on any weekend now
I did a gravel ride from Staveley on B/H Monday, aware that it might be a risky prospect (I was stopping off en route back from Scotland with time for a ride, I didn't make a special trip there).
Honestly, apart from Newby Bridge, I barely saw a soul. Had the trails to myself. Stunning bits of gravel around some small tarns, big blue sky above, no-one around. Then I went through Newby Bridge on the way into Grizedale and everything was rammed for 5 minutes then the southern end of Grizedale, I was back to my little lonesome.
There are places worth going while all the grockles are clogging up Ambleside and Windermere!
montgomery's idea is awesome.
did similar with a couple of pals.
train to Appleby, then plenty offroad back to Leeds.
lanes to Kirkby, the Lady Anne highway to Hawes
fleet moss, roman road to Bainbridge, Bishopdale, Littondale and Darnbrook to Malham yha.
2nd day, mainly canal and beers back to Leeds.
Similar to @crazy-legs I went on a trip to borrowdale to ride tech stuff (a couple of day rides rather than a tour/ overnighter) back in June when the weather was perfect. Round the honeypots/carparks it was rammed. fells absolutely fine/fairly quiet.
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Some great suggestions above - Cheers.
I reckon if the weather is good enough, I'll do something Lakes - based. @el_boufador, your route looks great, I'll get in touch to discuss what a 3-dayer might look like. Assuming that if the cloud is down, parts of that route are best avoided?
@crazy-legs, can I get in touch for a GPS for your Barrow-in-Furness -> Carlisle route? Gravel bike or HT (have quite fast rolling tyres on it currently)? Might be better as a low-level option.
If the weather is poor in the Lakes, I might do something North Yorks Moors based, or Northumbria. Anyone got any suggestions for the latter (I've done the Sandstone Way before)
Cheers.
Weather allowing, Train to Carlisle or oxenholme and ride home on the gravel or Hardtail.
I think this idea qualifies, sort of ...
The final ever 10 @ kirroughtree is happening this weekend. What about doing that? You couldn't bike pack it but you would be camping and it would be an adventure.
I'm doing it, hence why it just came to mind. Our plan is to ride/eat/drink coffee and when I can't be bothered riding anymore, hit the bar!
i am heading to the Peaks on saturday for 5 days riding with the older section of the sweary boys.
staying in edale, castleston, millers dale, hartington and edale again for the last night.
would make a great bikepacking route, as you can camp at all the yha's.
with a good ride from and back to leeds.