In the last week of April, I'll be riding from Whitby over to the Lakes District, then back to Newcastle to catch the ferry back to the land of clogs and bicycles. Does anybody have any useful suggestions for routes/riding areas that are especially friendly to a Multistrada with a pillion? Or routes to avoid? We're thinking about stopping into Barnard Castle on the way across, because it looks pretty.
Anywhere in the Lakes is brilliant. You can't really go much wrong. Look for the high passes, e.g. Winlater Pass, Kirkstone Pass, Honister Pass. Watch out though, as the A591 between Ambleside and Keswick might still be closed.
Take waterproof gear with you! I have been to the lake district hundreds of times and it usually rains, that is why it is so green.
From Barnard Castle, get onto the A685, then the A683 to Kirkby Lonsdale (Devil's Bridge). Then find the A592 past Lake Windermere and Ullswater to Penrith. Then the A686 up to Hartside Café onto Alston. Then the A689 back through to Durham. From there you can find your way back to Newcastle. You'll see some of the best scenery about on those roads.
The chaos from the flooding over Christmas should be sorted by then. It really all depends upon how much time you have got. For a quick look @Robarano 's route is OK but I think Devil's Bridge is a bit too far south and a bit too much of a biker cliche. Barnard Castle is good. From there Kirkby Stephen, Tebay, Kendal, Windermere, then (assuming A591 has been repaired, it should be by then) Ambleside, possibly stop at Grasmere (very touristy though) Keswick, circuit of Derwent Water, A66 east then cut off to the south on the A5091 to Ullswater, possibly take a walk around Aira Force waterfall, Penrith, then Alston via Hartside and on to Newcastle. But the key question is how long do you have and whether you want to ride or do the tourist thing ?
We're very much being tourists, but the more we can enjoy the roads from one place to another, the better, and we're happy riding a couple of hours to get somewhere, especially if the roads are fun. I say "we" because my pillion is quite a fan of spirited riding. Leaving Whitby on Monday, we need to be in Newcastle in time for the 17:30 ferry on Friday, and the rest is pretty flexible. Well, except for visiting Beatrix Potter's old place, because my partner's a big fan. Thanks all for the responses so far! This is very helpful.
Ah well, I never realised you had 5 days. As well as taking in the roads I've mentioned, I'd be tempted to get right on up into Scotland. Book a few B&Bs and keep your fingers crossed for good weather.
Monday to get to the Lakes, 3 days in the Lakes and Friday to get to the ferry. In that case Coniston and Wastewater become possible along with Hardknott, Wrynose passes and the Langdale valleys. Be aware Hardknott is very steep with some hairpins and it can get busy.
If you and pillion are a fan of spirited riding then be aware of the policing presence especially camera vans and unmarked vehicles on the popular "bike" roads . Penrith is a local traffic police base and Hartside descent to Alston is a favourite for camera vans. Try and get to Windermere, Coniston and the roads around them as they are superb Hardknott Pass should be ok on a Multi but bear in the mind the descent and its hairpins can be difficult with a pillion. I did it (twice) on a 636B1 Kawasaki with my missus pillion. It was like wearing a rucksack as her backside barely touched the seat as the bars are so low I took most of it through my wrists ...ouch I used to visit the Lakes every year with a crowd who all liked spirited riding and we loved the area, staying at the same 2 B and B's in Penrith which were bike friendly ........ we would stay for 4 days over the Easter weekend with a day up in Scotland skirting Hawick and St Marys Loch and the B roads around there . I might be able to find you some old route maps we used
If you get to Carlisle, head up the A7 through Longtown, Langolm and to Hawick. It's an amazing road for speed, you'll love it. No traffic unlike the Lakes. You can then join on to the A68 to Newcastle or head North to Edinburgh or Selkirk then head West to Moffat through the Yarrow Valley (where I live) it's brilliant for bikes. From Moffat you could go up the most scenic motorway (M74) to Abington then head to Edinburgh..brilliant road. April is usually dry but will still be cool. Bring wet weather gear then.
We're definitely bringing wet weather gear. As well as keeping the rain out at high speeds, it's good for about 5 degrees of body heat I've been reminiscing about Edinburgh's beauty, so we might just try bouncing up that way. Now to get our heads down over the maps and figure out which days will be tourist days, and which will be riding days with a bit of sightseeing.
A good place to stay is the Wasdale Head Inn which is in a very quiet valley with no through road. Amazing scenery and a cracking ride to get there, including the recommended Hardknott Pass.
Or the Old Dungeon Ghyll in Langdale. Lake District Hotel The Old Dungeon Ghyll Hotel Langdale Valley Behind which is Pavey Ark, you could pop up and climb Jack's Rake before breakfast. Just the job for someone from the Netherlands. This is one of the easier sections.
If your coming from Whitby, I'd ride to Hawes then on to Devils Bridge, I'd avoid Bowness,Windermere and ambleside, the roads are nice but their slow with tourist traffic. But if you fancy a boat ride or a trip on the car ferry go for it, you may as well see the sights while your over here. I ride the route through the lakes quite often as I live on Walney and work at kentmere it's a good 45 minuet blast with plenty of air time when you're clogging it.
2010 was my last time if I remember right but was up every year for 5-6 years before ExKat these gpx files might be of some use to you ....start point on both is Penrith as that was always our base .... the files open with tyre satnav software or GPS visualiser http://www.therevcounter.co.uk/attachment.php?attachmentid=6346&d=1240005511 http://www.therevcounter.co.uk/attachment.php?attachmentid=6347&d=1240005548
It's taken me long enough to report back to the forum. Thanks very much for all the recommendations! The 591 hadn't been repaired yet, but we still had a great time, partly due to the input from you lot. Of course, the cold weather hit while just as we crossed the island. We got one afternoon's wonderful riding around back-roads, because I managed to get us lost despite the GPS thingy right in front of me, then spent the next few days mostly huddled in the pub just down from Hilltop. On the upside, I can attest that the Multi is good for scarily iced and snowed-on roads when you have a ferry to catch - she took the trip better than we did, the engine and suspension never missing a beat.
