Day 8 - Conder Green to Keswick, 59 miles (65 miles with detour to Kirkstone Pass)

The scenery was spectacular, the ride taking us above Lancaster and through Nether Kellet and Carnforth. There were a number of undulating quiet country lanes leading on to Bowness and Windermere. Much of the subsequent route included the busy A591. However, there were also some beautiful detours including sections of cycle path and places to leave the road at Ambleside, Grassmere and Thirlmere reservoir.

The cycle out of Conder Green was best described as soggy, our first truly wet morning (however, sunny by late afternoon)

Vanessa Bridge on the bridge

Cycling through a deer park to the first brew stop.

Very important facts:

• Kendal mint cakes were astutely marketed as ‘energy food’ and used for expeditions such as Everest, K2 and the poles (including supplying Shackleton’s Transarctic Expedition).
• In 1930 Segrave broke the world water speed record on Windermere travelling at 98.76mph. Sadly, he died following a capsize on his third run.
• Wordsworth, Coleridge and Southey, the Lake Poets’  were based around Grasmere
• Beatrix Potter was not only famous for her children’s stories and illustrations but also conservation. She used the sales of her books to purchase land in the area which was donated to the National Trust after she died, thus preserving her legacy.

We followed National Cycle Route 6 for much of the day.

 Wonderful bucolic pastureland

Lunch of soup and sandwich at the Old John Peel Inn.

Not the DJ

 

Squeezing in 26 bikes into a small space  at lunch

After lunch, some of us contemplated taking in the highest pass, Kirkstone. The three very strong cyclists went ahead.

The weather appeared to be setting in and I wasn't sure I wanted this big climb. One of the three Peter's, my cycling companion that day, declared he was a masochist and we should ascend.

Approaching the pub at the top

The descent was even steeper following a route called 'The Struggle'.

 Descent down to Ambleside

The Square Orange Cafe in Keswick

Previous appearance, before becoming a fine coffee shop

Staff and customers were very friendly. Somehow, cycling engenders communication among strangers.

Mary Gay (left) was fascinated by our journey. She very kindly donated to both our charities.

Rhododendrons, Azaleas and other ericaceous plants love the soil in the lakes. Along the way there were numerous flowering shrubs and trees.

The roadside verges were full of colour including wild aquilegia, blue bells, gorse and flowering hawthorn.

 Old cinema in Keswick.

The town had good ambience with a strong sense of itself beyond the tourist industry.

Big hill is Kirkstone pass - would have been an easier day without, but splendid views.

Statistics
See above - cooler day
Highpoint - splendid views looking down 'the Struggle'
Lowpoint - always being late
Roadkill - surprisingly none (few live and bouncy rabbits)