Lake District - who's seen it?

[BravoCharlie]

Evening! this is my first post outside the newbie section...do i have to reintroduce myself?

Names Barry, 19, from Glasgow. Still on L's at the moment, but with the test at the end of the month and the prospect purchasing a new bike, i was looking for something to get up to during a long weekend off in November. Me and the Mrs have been looking at heading down to the Lake district.

Has anyone ever been down there? How are the roads? I'm fairly confident I'd cope and I wouldn't make it my first long journey beforehand but the in-law has me worried about my abilities

any advice would be great!

cheers, Barry.
____________________
Current: Kawasaki ZL600 Eliminator
Past: Suzuki GZ125, Kawasaki GT550, Kawasaki GPX600R, Honda vrx400,Kawasaki Zephyr 750, Suzuki SV650 K5
Dream as if you'll live forever, live as if you'll die today.

[spnorm]

It's very pretty (like the Highlands in miniature), but the roads can be crowded on a weekend. The Hardknott and Wrynose passes are very challenging to ride, much more so than anything else in the UK, but very scenic

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10150678277654350&l=bcd6b30747

[BravoCharlie]

that looks beautiful!

could a fairly new driver cope, 2 up, on that road? it looks utterly brilliant. that's the type of stuff i want to see of our beautiful Kingdom!
____________________
Current: Kawasaki ZL600 Eliminator
Past: Suzuki GZ125, Kawasaki GT550, Kawasaki GPX600R, Honda vrx400,Kawasaki Zephyr 750, Suzuki SV650 K5
Dream as if you'll live forever, live as if you'll die today.

[Charlie]

Lots of tourist which can ruin what would otherwise be a great road. Scenery is pretty good but I prefer the highlands, they are more 'wild'.

Hardknott and Wrynose I've never had difficulty with and have done them in the wet two up but you do hear of a lot of people dropping their bikes on them so be careful, especially with a pillion on.

The Lakes can be pretty cold in November so make sure you've got good layers for riding. Everything is a lot less fun when you're shivering. Sure there has been snow around in November
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Past: Honda x8rs, Honda City fly, Honda Hornet 250, Honda VFR750, Yamaha xt600e.
Current: Honda CBR929RR & Yamaha XT660Z Tenere

[Charlie]

[BravoCharlie]

yeah I'd reckon we'd be venturing into the colder periods,

I'd take it easy with the missus on the back anyhow, and got plenty of winter gear at the ready too!

it looks like it would be a great adventure, and a good way to start touring

cheers!
____________________
Current: Kawasaki ZL600 Eliminator
Past: Suzuki GZ125, Kawasaki GT550, Kawasaki GPX600R, Honda vrx400,Kawasaki Zephyr 750, Suzuki SV650 K5
Dream as if you'll live forever, live as if you'll die today.

[BravoCharlie]

[bencav]

[BravoCharlie]

haha, i meant 5"11, oops!

thanks for the advice on it mate Chances are we'd take some gear for most eventualities, aswell as snacks etc.

My Cbt consisted of snow and hail stones one day, and thunder and lightning the 2nd day. concentration can be a bitch with no energy/concentration! so i'd need to be prepared

me and the missus are on different phone networks anyway, so thats job jobbed

thanks for the well wishing, I do have to get that test passed first i suppose!
____________________
Current: Kawasaki ZL600 Eliminator
Past: Suzuki GZ125, Kawasaki GT550, Kawasaki GPX600R, Honda vrx400,Kawasaki Zephyr 750, Suzuki SV650 K5
Dream as if you'll live forever, live as if you'll die today.

[doggone]

It's so compact you can ride most of the best roads in a weekend.

Recommend heading up Langdale from Grasmere, then take a left, decide there if you want to do the Hardknott/Wrynose challenge.
Not worth it in hill fog or rain, there is a risk from other vehicles missing gears and rolling back - keep good distance and best avoided at busy weekends.
If you go over towards the coast there isn't actually much there of interest, and it's a long way round so you are almost obliged to the reverse crossing.

Derwentwater is my favourite part, various minor roads around it you can explore give super views over the lake with its wooded islands - quite relaxing and dare I say romantic with the leaves changing.

[BravoCharlie]

had a look at the route recommended via google maps...looks good! i was considering living in patterdale while down there?

It Looks fairly convenient and only a 2 hour drive from home, meaning probably 1 rest stop as it'll all be a new experience to my girlfriend!

i'm pretty set on doing this i'd say, it really does look great down there!
____________________
Current: Kawasaki ZL600 Eliminator
Past: Suzuki GZ125, Kawasaki GT550, Kawasaki GPX600R, Honda vrx400,Kawasaki Zephyr 750, Suzuki SV650 K5
Dream as if you'll live forever, live as if you'll die today.

[Lone-Wolf]

Wotcha.

Well worth the trip.

LAKE DISTRICT - 2009
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Cheers.
^..^
L.W. - www.moonshiners.org.uk

[BravoCharlie]

thanks for sharing Lone-Wolf, it looks amazing!

nice bikes too!
____________________
Current: Kawasaki ZL600 Eliminator
Past: Suzuki GZ125, Kawasaki GT550, Kawasaki GPX600R, Honda vrx400,Kawasaki Zephyr 750, Suzuki SV650 K5
Dream as if you'll live forever, live as if you'll die today.