Do you want miles and miles of quiet roads, plus plenty of options for mountain biking great trails? Challenging hills and easy jaunts? Stunning views and great stop off points for coffee and cake or a pie and a pint?
If this is what you want from a day in the saddle, then our region is perfect. Alfred Wainwright described these fells as resembling a ‘herd of sleepy elephants’, and the rolling nature of these hills makes them perfect for both road and mountain biking. And what’s even better is that many of the routes are accessible straight from the end of our drive. The road to the cottages is quiet with lovely views, so you can warm your legs up brilliantly before tackling whatever challenge you’ve chosen. On your return a stop off for a drink and maybe some food in one of the great pubs in Ravenstonedale is a popular way to end your ride.
One route we would thoroughly recommend is the Howgill Circuit. Heading into Ravenstonedale from the cottages, the route takes you on a circular loop of the entire Howgill Fells. At 38 miles with 2,400ft of climb, this is a challenging route, but it is more than rewarding with stunning views over the Fells. You’ll follow Roman roads, cross the River Lune, pass numerous historical sites and take on several short steep climbs, as well as the long ascent up Pikestone Lane. If you’d like more information on this route check out Visit Sedbergh (please note their route starts and ends in Sedbergh but you can start your route from Ravenstonedale).
If mountain biking is more your thing, then Britain’s best single track road is for you! A 25 mile loop that will rival anything the Lake District has to offer, but without the traffic that hinders Lakeland cycling. MBR classifies this route as one of the 20 best mountain bike UK trails, and for good reason. Despite its length, this is a challenging ride! It takes you up into the Cumbrian mountains to Bowerdale Beck, with over 2,000ft of climb (1,500ft in a single ascent as you leave the streets of Sedbergh behind). Again the route from MBR magazine starts at Sedbergh, but you can start and end in Ravenstonedale just as easily (or perhaps even more easily, as your legs will be warmed up more by the time you hit your biggest ascents).
These are just two of a plethora of cycling possibilities all over the Western Dales. If you’d like to explore the fells but don’t have much experience on two wheels, you can hire electric mountain bikes from Sedbergh E-Bike Hire for a half or whole day. A wonderful way to see the area.
Our luxury self catering cottages are perfectly set up for cycling holidays. With space to safely store your bikes, outside hose pipes so you can clean them, and a utility area to clean your kit afterwards, it couldn't be easier. Our cottages also contain OS maps and information packs, so you can spend time planning your routes in the comfort of your cottage before heading out on to the Fells.
Comments