Cycle the Giro di Lakeland Challenge

Itinerary

Day 1 - Arrival in Lake District - Bowness / Kendal - details tbc

Day 2 - Set off on ride from Bowness - and via Windermere, Esthwaitewater and Coniston we make our way to pretty Ambleside for our next overnight (Dist = 67km)*

Day 3 - From Ambleside we shall head north via the Thirlmere Valley - but first a stunning and quiet section awaits as we pass by Rydal Water and Grasmere. The road climbs steadily before dropping again towards Keswick. Here we make a loop south into Borrowdale and around Derwentwater and finally up around Bassenthwaite. This final section is relatively flat and easy riding. (Dist = 70km)*

Day 4 - We leave charming Keswick and make for arguably Cumbria's most beautiful lake - Ullswater - flanked by Helvellyn and countless other soaring fells, it is a slice of heaven in England. However, our thoughts will soon turn to the biggest challenge of the ride - the climb up and over the mighty Kirkstone Pass. Take it slow and steady - and maybe with a couple of breathers on the way - and the feeling of acomplishment at the top will stay with you for a long time to come. We complete our ride with a final swoop down into Windermere where , with luck we shall find tea, cake and rest for some weary cycling legs!

Day 5 - Departure Day - goodbyes after breakfast and travel home

Accommodation

We shall be staying in hotels & guesthouses on this ride. We always do our best to offer character clean and comfortable accommodation - including brekfast each morning.

What is a Level 2.5 Cycling Challenge Like?

For this type of challenge - you can expect either distance (up to 80km), or altitude gain - around 5-600m. But not both! If you climb, then the distance will be less, if you cover the distance, then the altitude gain will be little. Typically road conditions will be good - although there are exceptions to this. If you encounter rough road conditions (or it is a mountain bike challenge), then the distance / altitude will be reduced. These events would suit someone of good all round fitness, who takes exercise regularly - without neccessarily being of high specific cycling fitness.

How Fit Do I need to be to join a Level 2.5 ‘Bike Ride’?

You must be active and with moderate fitness level. You should be taking regular exercise, consisting of regular bike rides and possibly other sports (swimming / football etc.) You should be comfortable in undertaking long country rides of up to 6 hours or 60 km in the lowland English countryside. Your training rides will encounter a few reasonable length hills.

Included In Trip

4 nights hotel accommodation*

3 packed lunches

Support Vehicle

Ride Leader

Full mechanical and First Aid Cover

*It may be possible to offer a shorter final day - in order that riders could return home before night 4.

Excluded From Trip

Ferries (if required), car parking at start / finish if required.

Equipment Required

Bike Items
Road Bike / Hybrid Bike / Mountain Bike (with Touring Tyres) - please call us for guidance on type of bike on a trip by trip basis
Water Bottles (bladder system/cycle water bottles)
Cycling Gloves, Bike Lock, Neck Scarf
Small Rucksack (or small pannier)
Small Holdall (for overnight gear)
Lamps (front and rear, head torch can be worn)
Under Saddle Pouch (recommended - can be used to carry asterik* items)
Duck Tape (small folded piece off the reel)*
Puncture Repair Kit*
2 x Inner Tubes*
Multi-Tool (with allen keys)*
Oil/Lube*
Pump (suitable for your valve type)
Helmet (compulsory)

Medikit
Suncream, Plasters
Vaseline, Painkillers, Sunbloc

Washkit
Pack Towel (lifesystems recommended), Soap (small bar)
Toothbrush, Toothpaste

Warm Clothing
Medium Weight Fleece, Lightweight Gloves, Fleece Hat

Cycle / Overnight Clothing
Lycra Cycling Shorts, Cotton Shorts
Long Cycling Trousers (Tights/Tracksuit Bottoms)
Cotton T-Shirts for evening
Short Sleeve Cycling T-Shirts (Dryflo type material) or Cycle Top with rear pockets
Cycling Shoes (approach shoes suitable)
Sandals / Spare Shoes for after ride
Underwear
1 Set Casual Evening Wear
1 Pair Cotton Trousers

Waterproof Clothing
1 Outer Fully Waterproof Jacket (gore-tex, e-vent) - comfortable to cycle in
1 Pair Outer Waterproof Bottoms

Other
Camera, Memory Card
Wallet, Credit Card, Cash
Sunglasses, Mobile Phone
Penknife, Snacks for Cycling Days (dried fruits, nuts, flapjacks, cereal bars etc)

Important
Make sure you do not ‘over pack’ - bring only what is essential for the trip

A final kit list will be provided in your ‘Final Joining Instructions’ pre-departure..

Safety Information

This ride is fully risk assessed - using our extensive safe cycling handbook. We take great care to ensure our riders are kept safe, and briefed on how best to avoid accidents. Please ensure you read and digest any information relating to safety, and always follow the advice offered by your leaders.

Weather

Please be prepared for all conditions. We have opted for a time of year where we should have a good chance of decent weather, however, with the location and geography of the Lake District, we never know - so please be prepared!

Optional Extras

Bike Hire may be available at a rate of £25 per day for an aluminium road bike.

Notes on Cycling Events

This is our standard range of Cycling Challenges in the UK, Europe and further afield. However, we offer completely tailormade itineraries to your specification. Call us to discuss! Please note that for overseas point to point cycling challenges we can transport soft cases for bike transport - but not hard cases, due to space limitations on board our support vehicles. On all our cycling events, please pack sensibly and bring a reasonably sized soft holdall type bag. To participate in an overseas Adventure Cafe challenge - you must carry Travel Insurance (to be for the activity you are participating in, and to include repatriation to the UK). Please also note that you should have a good level of cycling experience and be competent to handle your bike. We ride on roads shared with other vehicles - and you need to be able to deal with this safely.

Adventure Cafe Booking Terms and Conditions

To Reserve Your Space on this Challenge