adventurecapital

Cycling

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1 Leave Mill Yard, turning R ontoMain Street and continue throughvillage. Turn R onto NCN 6 (signedWindermere) before road joinsbypass.

2 Continue on NCN 6 towardsWindermere, crossing A591 withcare at Ings.

3 If taking shortcut, turn L at signto Black Moss and follow gated,partly unfenced road to join mainroute near Borwick Fold farm, takingcare on downhills leading to gates.

4 On downhill approach toWindermere turn L into ThwaitesLane, pass under railway bridge andkeep L into Claife Avenue. At T jctturn L into Droomer Drive and followbend in road to L.

5 If travelling to Windermere bytrain, leave station and turn Ldownhill towards village centre. Takesecond L (Cross Street) and continueto end. Dismount and walk throughfootpath link to Orrest Drive, bearingL into Droomer Drive, joining mainroute at Claife Avenue.

6 Turn R into narrow tarmac lanebetween houses and immediatelybefore Mill Rise / Mill Brow. Crosshumpback bridge and turn R ontostone surfaced track (signed PublicBridleway, School Knott).

A ride through the southern fringes of the Lake District fromStaveley, with its cafes, galleries and craft studios. The route usesthe traffic-free National Cycle Network Route 6 to Windermereand returns through quiet lanes winding between rocky knollsand small valleys. Spectacular views of the Lakeland fells to thenorth and to the Howgills to the southeast make this a ride toremember.

A train journey from Staveley to Windermere can be incorporatedin the ride, so that the scenic ride to the south of the A591 canbe enjoyed as a shorter route; a short cut provides furthervariation in distance. Note that access to the station platform atStaveley involves carrying cycles up a flight of steps.

Lakeland FringesStaveley, Ings & Windermere

7 Follow stone surfaced track withgates (rough in short sections),keeping R at fork where Dales Waybranches L.

8 Turn L onto B5284 and L againafter 100m onto minor road (signedCycle Route Ings).

9 Limit speed through Outrun Nookwhere gate located after blind bend.Pass through Borwick Fold andcontinue SA at L turn signed CycleRoute to Ings (possible alternativeroute for return to Staveley).

10 At bottom of descent turn L(footpath signs for Dales Way) andcontinue over hill, keeping SA pastNew Hall Farm on short section ofunfenced road.

11 Turn L at cross roads and returnto Staveley. In centre of village turnR onto Main Street and L into MillYard.

Start/finish: Staveley Mill Yard(car parking available, with additionalon-street parking in village)

Distance:Staveley - Windermere - Staveley:10 miles (16 km)Staveley return via shortcut:7 miles (11 km)Windermere Station to Staveley:6.5 miles (10 km)

Grade: Short - hard. All on-roadexcept stone surfaced track fromedge of Windermere to B5284 -1.2miles (1.9 km). Some steep descentswith junctions and bends at bottomwhich require caution.

RefreshmentsPubs: Staveley, Ings, WindermereCafés: Staveley, Windermere

Kendal5 do-in-a-day rides on country lanes and quiet roadsfrom the Gateway to the Lakes OS mapping

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Cycle route

Route instruction

Cycle path/track

National/regional cycleroute

Footpath (no cycling)

Bridleway

Byway open to all traffic

Other tracks

Primary route

Main road

Secondary road

Minor road

Take special careat this point/section

Gradient: 14-20%(arrow points downhill)

Railway

National Park Boundary

Key to maps

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Key to route descriptions

R = rightL = leftSA = straight ahead/acrossjct = junctionX roads = crossroadsNCN 7 = National Cycle Network

(route number)m = metreskm = kilometre (0.6 mile)Scale 20mm = 1 km (0.6 mile)

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6 At end of cycle path, turn R into roadcarriageway and continue across levelcrossing to Staveley.

7 Follow Main Street and turn Rat cross roads (signed Kentmere),through narrow section of road.Turn R across bridge by weir andR again alongside River Kent. BearR at next junction.

8 Continue SA at T jct on approach toBowston then turn R into Burneside.

9 Turn L at T jct and retrace route backto Kendal.

Start/finish: Peppercorn Lane Car Park,Kendal (additional car parking nearby atParish Church and Dowker Lane Car Parks)

Distance: 26 miles (42 km)

Grade: Long - easy, all on-road

RefreshmentsPubs: Kendal, Milnthorpe, Arnside,Sandside, HevershamCafés: Kendal, Milnthorpe, Arnside

Start/finish: Lay-by off A590 atthe Strickland Arms, Sizergh.Follow signs off the A590 toSizergh Castle (National Trust).

Distance: 13 miles (20 km)

Grade: Medium - moderate (gradebecomes hard if optional detour toHelsington Church is included).All on-road except short section ofascent to Helsington Church onunsurfaced track and grassland.

RefreshmentsCafés: SizerghPubs: Sizergh, Levens,Underbarrow and Brigsteer

1 From Town Hall ride north throughpedestrianised street taking care ofshoppers, taxis and buses. Turn R at Tjct into Sandes Avenue. SA at trafficlights, dismount at pelican crossingbefore bridge over River Kent and walkleft onto riverside path.

2 If joining ride at County Hall, walkfrom car park onto riverside path andturn L onto route.

3 Walk along river keeping SA overramp, remount and turn L then R intoBurneside Road.

4 To avoid a steep hill, take 3rd turningR after railway bridge (approx. 250m)into Kentrigg, then bear R onto stonesurfaced permissive path behind houses,going slowly as requested by sign.Rejoin Burneside Road and continue SAthrough Burneside and Bowston toA591 road.

5 Turn R onto cycle route immediatelybefore junction with A591.

A ride through the Kent valley north of Kendal, cycling to Staveleyon Sustrans’ NCN 6 along the riverside walk and through villages,taking in beautiful views of the Lakeland fells. Enjoy a visit toStaveley with its cafes, galleries and craft studios. Return on quietroads winding along wooded valley slopes against a backdrop ofthe Howgill fells. Cycle the round trip or let the train take thestrain for one leg of the journey.Note that access to the station platform at Staveley involvescarrying cycles up a flight of steps.

Kent Valley

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A trip to the seaside -Milnthorpe & ArnsideCycle south from Kendal on Sustrans NCN 6 on quiet lanes enjoyingviews across low rounded hills to the Lakeland and Howgill fells.From Milnthorpe the route continues through tranquil woodlandlandscapes to Arnside on the Kent estuary. The return route alongthe estuary and reclaimed marshlands makes this a ride of realcontrasts; attractive villages, historic parklands and coastal sceneryall contained by distant Lake District and Pennine hills.

1 Walk past Abbott Hall Art Gallery andacross footbridge over River Kent. CrossAynam Road by zebra crossing and turnR then L into Parr Street. Cycle uphill andturn L onto stone track at end of firstterrace of houses on L. Descend and turnR onto shared footpath and cycle routeon line of the former Lancaster Canal.Following NCN 6 signs, continue withcare across two main roads to join NatlandRoad at oblique angle. Continue SAthrough Natland, following NCN 6 signs.

2 Take next L, then R at top of hill, SAthrough Crosscrake, taking care on steepapproach to X roads.

3 At Stainton turn R immediately aftercrossing bridge at end of Lancaster Canal.Continue through Viver.

4 At Woodhouse bear R then L. Turn Ronto narrow lane and continue toMilnthorpe. SA across traffic lights, pastRiver Bela.

5 After crossing River Bela turn L throughDallam Park and ascend through avenueof trees turning L at gatehouse.

6 Leave NCN 6 at next R (signed Storth/Arnside). After long straight descent turnL (signed Hazelslack/Silverdale), then R atT jct towards Arnside, entering villageover level crossing and continuing toPromenade at centre of village.

7 Retrace route out of Arnside, turningL under railway bridge and follow shoreof estuary through Sandside.

8 Recross the River Bela and turnimmediately L (signed Cumbria Cycle Wayand Cumbria Coastal Way). After rightangle bend in level road carry SA oversmall bridge to crossroads on A6 atHeversham.

9 Cross A6 with care, SA up hill tojunction at church. R then L (signedWoodhouse / Crooklands).

10 SA on approach to Woodhouse, thenL, briefly rejoining NCN 6. Take next L atcrossroads (signed Hincaster and Kendal).

11 Continue through Hincaster and onapproach to Sedgwick bear R onto singletrack road, then R at T jct and under canalbridge. Rejoin NCN 6 on approach toNatland and return to Kendal followingoutward route.

A scenic ride with spectacular views extending from the Forest ofBowland and Morecambe Bay in the south to the Langdale Pikesand the Helvellyn range to the north. This route slips out of Kendalon Sustrans NCN 6 along the former Lancaster Canal, skirting lowrolling hills and passing the Helm, a prominent vantage point tothe south of the town. The high level route along Paddy Lanegives bird’s eye views across the town nestling in the Kent valleysurrounded by the iconic skylines of the Lakeland fells.

Bird’s Eye Kendal -Kendal, Natland & Mealbank

1 Follow directions to Natland as Route5.

2 In Natland take second L after roadnarrows (signed Oxenholme and SustransRoute 20) through village green. BranchR into Helm Lane and continue to A65road.

3 Cross A65 with care at staggeredjunction, following Sustrans Route 20across cattle grids along narrow unfencedroad below The Helm to Station Inn,enjoying panoramic views and a perfectpicnic spot.

4 SA at Station Inn, climbingintermittently to staggered junction withA684. SA across A684 road with care,following NCN68 and Sustrans Route 20signs. Continue SA at next crossroads,signed Grayrigg and Tebay and descendminor road to junction with A685.

5 Turn R onto A685 with care, andimmediately L (signed Mealbank).Descend steep hill with care and passalongside River Mint. Keep SA throughjunction at bridge to rejoin A685.

6 Turn R into A685 and continue towardsKendal town centre.

7 After road narrows take first L (signedSedbergh) and continue SA throughhousing estate. Turn R at T jct anddescend hill under railway bridge. Take2nd L (Castle Garth) after bridge.Dismount at end of Castle Garth andwalk through barriers and small park.

8 Ride SA through housing estate andbarriers next to recycling centre to startof shared footpath and cycle route.Continue to Parr Street and retrace routeacross Aynam Road and footbridge backto Peppercorn Lane Car Park.

1 From lay-by cycle towards SizerghCastle, passing Strickland Arms and turnL immediately past pub (signed W2WRoute 20). At T jct on steep hill turn Rand cycle (or walk!) uphill.

2 Keeping SA follow route 20 into Levenstaking care on steep hill.

3 In Levens bear R at Post Office, thenSA (signed Grange). Turn sharp R (signedRoute 20) opposite pub. Turn L at bottomof short hill over bridge onto flat farmland.Take next R to Brigsteer, entering villageup short hill.

4 Bear L through village joining mainroad at angled junction. Continue in samedirection and take next R.

5 At T jct turn L (signed Crosthwaite andBowland Bridge) and continue toUnderbarrow taking care on steep hillwith sharp bend.

6 In village take first R (signed Crook)and continue to Underbarrow Churchwhere drifts of wild daffodils carpet thechurchyard in spring. Return towardsvillage, taking R fork into Mill Lane andturning R into main road.

7 Turn sharp L (signed Milnthorpe andLevens).

8 At T jct turn R (signed Brigsteer andLevens). Return to Brigsteer, keeping Lon approach to village and continuing toWheatsheaf pub.

9 For detour to Helsington viewpoint(steep hill, but worth it for the view),continue uphill. Approximately 300m pastWheatsheaf take 3rd track on R (just pastroad sign for bends). Follow bridlewaypast houses and through gate onto openfarmland (grass surface) and diagonallyuphill to stone track at top. Turn L toHelsington Church and viewpoint withspectacular view. Retrace route toWheatsheaf or continue past Church torejoin road and turn L down hill toBrigsteer.

10 From Wheatsheaf take minor roadfrom T jct (signed Levens) and continuethrough Brigsteer Woods.

11 Take L fork (signed Sizergh andKendal), then L at angled T jct (signedKendal). Return to lay-by at Sizergh onoutward route, taking care at left turnon steep hill.

Lyth Val ley - Damsons & DaffodilsWind you way between rocky knolls and small woods though theLyth valley, famous for its damson orchards. The ride starts by thegates of Sizergh Castle and takes in enclosed wooded landscapes,flat open farmland with big skies and straight roads and prettyorchards set amongst rocky outcrops. A steep detour provides aspectacular view over south Cumbria and the Lakeland fells andthe perfect place for a picnic; the view makes the climb worthwhile!Attractive at any time of year, wild daffodils and damson blossomin spring make this an especially beautiful ride.

Start/finish: Peppercorn Lane CarPark, Kendal (additional car parkingnearby at Parish Church and DowkerLane Car Parks)

Distance: 8.5 miles (14 km)

Grade: Short / hard. All on-roadwith short sections of steep downhilland junctions with A685 whichrequire caution.

RefreshmentsPubs: Kendal town centre andStation Inn, OxenholmeCafés: Kendal town centre

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Start/finish: Kendal; Town Hall,Highgate or rear of County Hall,Stricklandgate (weekend parkingonly available)

Distance: 10 miles (16 km)

Grade: Short - easy. Mostly onminor roads except for short sectionsof stone surfaced permissive pathand tarmac cycle path.

RefreshmentsCafés: Kendal, StaveleyPubs: Kendal, Staveley

Supported by

Route gradingRoute grades are expressed byroute length, plus degree ofdifficulty - calculated as averageheight gain (metres) perkilometre - plus steep gradients.

Distance (miles)

Short: up to 10 milesMedium: 10 – 25 milesLong: over 25 miles

Height Gain (m per km)

Easy: up to 10m per kmModerate: 10 – 15m per kmHard: 15 – 20m per kmChallenge: over 20m per km

Sustrans, the UK’s leading sustainabletransport charity, co-ordinates theaward-winning National CycleNetwork, a comprehensive system ofsafe and attractive routes identifiedspecifically for cyclists and walkers. Formore information visitwww.nationalcyclenetwork.org.uk

Cycling from Kendal…gateway to the LakesAll the cycle rides in this guide start and finish inKendal, a bustling market town on the edge of theLake District National Park and a Lakeland focalpoint for plenty of shopping and quality attractions.

A bicycle gives you the freedom to explore the countrysidearound the ‘Auld Grey Town’ at your own pace, stoppingas you choose to appreciate the views or to take in someof the culture the area is famous for.

We have tried to choose a variety of routes, however,there will still be some hills to climb – but pushing isallowed!

Kendal is ideally located withexcellent transport links by bothroad and rail. The town is locatedclose to both the M6 and the WestCoast Mainline rail route(Oxenholme – The Lake Districtstation) and is a brilliant base forexploring the surroundingcountryside.

If you want a break from the bike,Kendal is well known for its shoppingand culture. Home to the vibrantBrewery Arts Centre, three finemuseums, the renowned Abbot HallArt Gallery, The Quaker Tapestry anda plethora of sports and leisurefacilities, there is something foreveryone.

The pleasing mix of traditional andmodern shopping areas and bustlingmarkets provides a friendly and variedretail environment. For eating outthere is a choice of cosy tearooms,pavement cafés, traditional pubs orstylish restaurants serving internationalcuisine.

Historically, Kendal was one of themost important woollen textile centresin the country, producing ‘KendalGreen' and other ‘Kendal cottons' -its numerous yards were once filledwith workshops processing cloth,leather and foodstuffs.Kendal was also a centre for shoemaking, carpet and snuff manufacture,and synonymous with the productionof Kendal Mint Cake - an essentialprerequisite for today's explorers andmountaineers. Stock up before settingoff!

Visit www.traveline.org.uk or call0871 200 22 33 to check publictransport information before youtravel.

Mountain bikingThe area just outside Kendal is idealfor mountain biking; head to the smallvillage of Staveley to explore thebridleways and tracks of the KentmereValley. Visit www.golakes.co.uk/adventure for more information.

Cycle Shops

Askew CyclesThe Old Brewery, Wildman StreetKendal LA9 6EN

Tel: 01539 728057www.askewcycles.co.uk

Brucies Bike Shop9 Kirkland, Kendal LA9 5AF

Tel: 01539 727230www.bruciesbikeshop.com

Evans CyclesStricklandgate, Kendal LA9 4RF

Tel: 01539 740087www.evanscycles.com

HalfordsUnit 2 Retail Park, Queen Catherine’s AvenueKendal LA9 6DU

Tel: 01539 735001www.halfords.com

WheelbaseStaveley Mill Yard, Back LaneStaveley, Kendal LA8 9LR

Tel: 01539 821443www.wheelbase.co.uk

Good Cycling Code

Obey the rules of the road

• Always follow the Highway Code• Ride in single file to let vehicles overtake

Be courteous

• Don’t assume everyone can see or hear you• Give way to pedestrians, wheelchair users

and horse riders• Ring your bell or call out (to horse riders)

to alert of your approach• Acknowledge people who give way to you

Care for the environment

• Try to reach the start of your journey by bikeor public transport

• Follow the Countryside Code:Respect, Protect, Enjoy

• Take any litter home• Cycle on roads, byways, bridleways and cycle

paths, not public footpaths

Look after yourself

• Wear a properly fitting helmet and bright, weatherproof clothing

• Be alert to potential hazards and take extracare

• Carry enough food and water, and a map• Check tyres, brakes and gears often, and be

able to deal with a puncture• Use lights in poor visibility• Don’t use any hand-held device while cycling

Look at www.lake-district.gov.uk andwww.imba.org.uk for codes specifically forenjoying off-road riding.

Thank you for cycling! The bike is the mostefficient and environmentally friendly formof transport invented.

Accommodation and TouristInformationThe website www.golakes.co.uk/stayshows a range of serviced and selfcatering accommodation in the Kendalarea. The tourist information centreis located on Highgate in the TownHall building right in the centre ofKendal tel: 01539 797516.

Following the routesEach route is highlighted on theOrdnance Survey map with arrowsshowing which way round to go andadded directions at numbered pointsto help with navigation. The ‘Key tomaps / route descriptions’ explains thesymbols on the maps and theabbreviations used. Where the routeuses part of a National Cycle Networkroute, just follow the distinctive bluesigns. The general rule is to keep tothe road you’re on unless otherwisedirected. Please note all distances areapproximate.

Cycle routesQuiet cycle routesFootpaths

STARTRoute 2

STARTRoutes 3/5

Published by Cumbria Tourism

Disclaimer: Whilst every effort has been made to present routeswhere it is legal to cycle, individuals are responsible for their ownsafety and the safety of others. All information is provided in goodfaith by the publisher and producer, and was accurate at the timeof publication.

© Cumbria Tourism, August 2010

All maps reproduced from Ordnance Survey digital map data.© Crown copyright 2008. All rights reserved.Licence number 0100031673

Designed & produced by Cooper Douglas Partnership.

Printed on Revive 75 silk (FSC certified and carbon neutral)by Reeds Printers, Penrith

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