Ashness Bridge, just off the A591 between Keswick & Ambleside in The Lake District was the destination I set myself today. It's been on the cards for a visit for a while, but there's always been something which got in the way and prevented me from going until today.
Living where I do, a short 30-40 minute drive from North Yorkshire I headed out towards Skipton (as I usually do) out through Gargrave, Kirby Lonsdale which was very busy for mid week and then headed North up the M6 coming off at Penrith, junction 40 and then left on the A66 towards Keswick.
Just prior to Keswick, but still on the A66 I pulled over to take a couple of quick snaps.
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The A66 is a good section of carriageway, a few stopping places, great views and relatively quiet, even today during a Bank Holiday week. However when I arrived at Keswick, I discovered why the A66 was so quiet, it was because everyone who was out in their cars had descended on Keswick. I would have loved to have stopped and had a wonder around but I genuinely could not find anywhere to park!
So as Keswick wasn't offering anywhere for me to park I located the B5289 out of Keswick and headed out of town a few miles in the direction of Borrowdale before I saw the sharp left turn up to Ashness Bridge. Must admit I drove past the junction the first time but I was able to find a turning point and returned and this time paid a bit more attention and turned off the main road & rode up the steep hill. Quite a few walkers about, some of whom gave me daggers as if I shouldn't be using the route on a bike, but there is a small car park beyond the bridge so I don't know what their problem was.
Ashness Bridge has been standing for centuries, and will no doubt be around for quite a few more. The bridge is a perfect foreground for the view North over Derwentwater & Bassenthwaite, with the mass of the Skiddaw Peak rising steeply above Keswick.
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From Ashness Bridge I rejoined the original road, the B5289 and headed towards Rosthwaite and Honister Pass.
Somewhere in the vicinity of Rosthwaite, I pulled over to take a few photos of the stunning views.
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Lambing Season, hundreds of the cute little buggers everywhere!
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Honister Pass, by comparison with Wrynose Pass and Hardknott Pass, both of which are relatively close by is pretty tame. It was still a decent route but I would have enjoyed it far more if I had not been stuck behind a BMW car driver for 90% of the route!
I carried on through the Honister Pass, past Buttermere and up towards High Lorton where I turned right towards Braithwaite this time going over the Whinlatter Pass.
Again some decent views thanks to the favourable weather.
(http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s139/Jaffa_Cake101/27th%20April%2011%20Keswick/100_1865.jpg)
You're on your own if you expect me to walk over these hills!
(http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s139/Jaffa_Cake101/27th%20April%2011%20Keswick/100_1867.jpg)
Very quiet route, but I wouldn't fancy doing it during a rain storm.
(http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s139/Jaffa_Cake101/27th%20April%2011%20Keswick/100_1869.jpg)
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I headed back in towards Keswick after completing a small portion of the Lake District National Park and then picked up the A66 & M6 before heading home. About 260 miles, give or take. The recent new tyres, Michelin PR3's are outstanding and definitely enhance the ability of the GTR.
Hope you enjoy the pics. If you fancy this area of the country, it's definitely well worth exploring.
As you know, we were up there ourselves recently and even though it is the Frozen North and beyond the realms of civilisation I remain deeply envious of the fabulous scenery you have up there. It really is a beautiful place.
Nice pictures too, thanks for sharing.
Kevin
Once again Mr Wolf ... lovely lovely lovely. ;D ;D
Nice pics LW, my back yard in my youth (a long time ago), must get back down there.
Have spent many a happy day in the lakes, with and without bike...just wish it was within reach for a day ride...sadly thats well over 600miles for me there and back (including bobbing around the lakes too)...we had a meet up at Brotherswater a few years back and did all the passes in one day...awesome fun...despite Wrynose and Hardknott both being wet!! ;D
Best in HD, just a short clip.
short video with crap music (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vOosVz-LXaU)
I love the quality of the Go Pro camera .. simply stunning for a small bit of kit, but Mr Wolf, come on, ..... the music ???? I hope that's not on your I pod " favourites " list !!! ;D ;D ;D ;D
Quote from: Lord Rusty on April 28, 2011, 03:17:11 PM
I love the quality of the Go Pro camera .. simply stunning for a small bit of kit, but Mr Wolf, come on, ..... the music ???? I hope that's not on your I pod " favourites " list !!! ;D ;D ;D ;D
Is it buggary!! I usually upload something from the charts but then you get the usual Copyright blurb emailed through to you from You Tube. Sometimes it aint worth the grief.
Anyway, dont you have a wedding or something to perpare for......lock and load. ;D
Hi Lonewolf, Yes you're right lovely part of the world,and built for biking, but I fear you missed a gem if you continue on the road over Ashness bridge follow it to the very end ( yes it is a dead end), there is the little farmhouse cafe to equal any on earth all home made stuff all seats are outside so you can share your lunch with the local bird life, My good lady took me to Watendlath soon after we met about ten years ago,I had never even heard of it and she had not been since she was seventeen, she was in her late fiftys then, and she said it had not changed one jot in all those years,If you take your own sarnies there are rocks by the stream that you can sit, have your lunch and watch the world go bye,and then you get a bonus going down, as you say stop at the parking space on your way down and take in the truly spectacular views plus you get to hop over the bridge again going down back to the main road. Happy days Cheers Geoff
Geoff, thanks for the info, I wasnt aware there was a cafe further up the track. In my defence though I got such filthy looks off some of the walkers who were walking up towards the bridge that I thought I was trespassing.
Thankfully, I'm only a couple of hours ride away and I often find myself going upto The Lakes as its a beautiful part of the world.