UK trip planning advice..

Sparks! · Sir Tart-a-lot Joined: 30 Aug 2003 Karma :

OK so I've just bought myself a tourer Cool

I have luggage, I have the 22nd-26th of March booked off work.... and I don't want to waste it like I did last week which I also had off Laughing

So..... I live in Portsmouth, and am considering doing the lake districts?? need suggestions for routes, things to see and camp sites.... will they even be open in March? it's getting warmer ! Laughing

Any tips/advice welcome, new to touring, don't really intend to plan too much just going to wing it and go, however I don't have a GPS so can't wing it tooo much, need a rough idea of the best routes/places etc...

The bike is an Africa Twin so I do have some off road capabilities if some light trails/gravel roads are known!

I don't really know how many days I'm going to go for... I have the whole week off but prob looking at about 4 days 3 nights? Thumbs Up

tempted to ride across to lands end then back northeasterly up to the lake district... or is there enough lake districts for 4 days?
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Charlie · World Chat Champion Joined: 27 May 2007 Karma :

Could go to other places on the way to the lakes. I'd say you could do most of the good/interesting roads in a couple of days.

What exactly do you want to do? Look admire views, hoon along the roads or a bit of both? I can't help too much with the off-road stuff but can suggest some good roads and a couple of good things to do.

I have finished university by then so could (possibly!) meet you and show you a couple of places if you want.

Campsites
I used to visit the lake here when I was little and may have even camped but I can't remember. We (family) went to the pub for a tea and it was very good (this was a few years ago). I can't think of anymore campsites that I have actually stayed in, most of the time I go to the scout campsite there which isn't much help.

Outside the lake-district but still nice:
https://www.gibraltarfarm.co.uk/
Silverdale is one of my favorite areas I love it round there and could happily live in Silverdale or Arnside. On a sunny day it is beautiful there.

Another one outside the lake-district:
https://www.ukcampsite.co.uk/sites/reviews.asp?revid=4863
It is very basic, and like the reviews say the toilets showers are basic. Xrv.org.uk held a national rally there and it was good. Was also good fun going into the farmhouse and having a cooked breakfast, not sure they do it all the time mind! Very basic mind!

clicky
One more in the lake district, although I can't remember what the facilities where like. Think they where pretty good

Roads
clicky
I think it is one of the twisty roads in Britain, you're in the area so may as well do it. It is very fun! And all the better when it isn't clagged down in rain

clicky
I also enjoy that road, it is quite picturesque and if you don't get stuck behind the tourists quite fun to ride.

clicky
It is good fun going across the hawkshead ferry and then it links quite nicely with going over Hardknott and Wrynose pass (info). From great Langdale you can see Scar Fell Pike (well at least the path leading to it) that is the highest mountain in Britain.

clicky
This is also quite fun too, I have stayed at the Youth Hostel in Buttermere and had a lovely fresh (well I think) sea trout at the local hotel/pub. Was very nice and I'd recommend Thumbs Up

Also stayed in the Youth Hostel on Honster pass it's self (its called Honister Hause), was quite interesting, they haven't (or weren't) on the national grid, so once the generator was turned off and the batteries gave up it was in total darkness with no lights on anywhere (I think all the lights where off at the slate mine next door too). A bit different and interesting.

other things
clicky
A very nice cafe, haven't been there for a while but it is always good when I go, I'd highly recommend it Thumbs Up

clicky(sorry I couldn't see it to well on google maps)
A quite deep ford in places and I have heard of friends 4x4 dieing when crossing it. Could be quite fun if it isn't too high. Nice roads round there (and you pass close to the scout camp I mention earlier).

Can't really think of much else to be honest. I don't really do many of the tourists things there. I can recommend other roads outside of the lake-district but close by if you're interested. Couple more points, I think Stinkwheel lives in the lake district (but I could be wrong) so might be worth contacting him.

Also have you seen this ride out on xrv.org.uk bit out you're way for a weekend but never mind.

Hope that all helps, and you have done a fine job of distracting me from my work Rolling Eyes

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G · The Voice of Reason Joined: 02 Feb 2002 Karma :

Welcome to borrow my Garmin Zumo 660 for that time - good for setting 'shortest route' and getting some interesting roads, especially the slower stuff that AT might be a bit better at.

If you keep an eye out, can usually find interesting things to do/see, even if you don't have any pre-set plans/ideas.

When doing lejog I stopped at a few national trust etc places - like the tallest waterfall in the UK.

Pete1959 · Nova Slayer Joined: 12 Apr 2009 Karma :

Sparks! · Sir Tart-a-lot Joined: 30 Aug 2003 Karma :

G · The Voice of Reason Joined: 02 Feb 2002 Karma :

Sorry, it was tallest in England not the UK and I suspect several make the same claim - it wasn't actually that impressive to be honest. Afraid I haven't got my pics up, but a quick google suggests it's called 'lydfordgorge':
https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-lydfordgorge

I actually had more fun going slightly off the track and climbing up a fairly steep gully between two rocks, then making my way to the top in a slightly ad-hock manner Smile

.

Want the GPS posted, or are you coming past here at any time?
If I sort it out, I'm planning to do the CHEC lane end practice/ride-out day, but otherwise probably won't be out off-roading or 'owt when I'd see others in your area. Actually, looking at the dates, not sure I'll be able to make the above either Sad

.

For nice small-roads, there's reasonable stuff around Dartmoore in that area, just be careful oh sheep and horses etc.

Sparks! · Sir Tart-a-lot Joined: 30 Aug 2003 Karma :

This might not be happening now Crying or Very sad

not in March anyway, my AT has charging problems which I'm yet able to fix, only a week left I'd have to fix it, get the bike ready and go buy a tent, riding gear etc.. just don't think it's going to happen with my current finances and work is a bit hectic Crying or Very sad

I'm going to try and move my week off to the first week of april and hope I have more luck then, G I'll be in contact about the GPS Thumbs Up

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G · The Voice of Reason Joined: 02 Feb 2002 Karma :

I've got some other stuff you're welcome to borrow - but not sure how much will be of use - my tent is a large pop-up which isn't ideal for most people's use.

Can't guarantee for other times re GPS, but bit broke too, so probably won't be out using it.

Clanger · Stirrer Joined: 27 May 2004 Karma :

Sparks! why not head left from Portsmouth across the Salisbury Plains, then over into Wales, and up through Snowdon, then cut back across and head into the Pennines and up through Buxton, Macclesfield, and head up the spinal route into the Lakes. Make the journey part of the adventure. Thumbs Up

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Sparks! · Sir Tart-a-lot Joined: 30 Aug 2003 Karma :

colin1 · Captain Safety Joined: 17 Feb 2005 Karma :

I think clanger's plan sounds good.

Although I'd suggest two differnt ones.

Plan 1, bomb up to the lake district quickly on fast roads, then leisurely enjoy the nice roads up there.

better plan 2

forget the lake district as there are nice roads and scenery nearer.

Wales is about half the distance away, so go to wales, and you will spend more time on nice roads.

the terrain map on google maps is good for finding good places to go

https://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=portsmouth&sll=50.59893,-4.141846&sspn=0.979785,1.760559&gl=uk&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Portsmouth,+Hampshire,+United+Kingdom&ll=51.607783,-2.400513&spn=1.917306,3.521118&t=p&z=8

rough hilly or mountainous terrain with few roads and few towns, makes for good biking roads

also the mountains of wales is a larger area than the lake district, so more to explore, and probably less traffic
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Marmalade · World Chat Champion Joined: 28 Apr 2009 Karma :

better still, grab your passport, get on the tunnel £12 each way and use some decent roads thats not full of https://www.courierworld.co.uk/forums/images/smilies/winker.gif and over congested.
You'd love it
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