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In the past
five years mountain biking in the Lakes has grown in popularity. Keswick,
Windermere and Ambleside are among locations offering easy bike hire opportunities.
Among off road options is the new Altura Trail at Whinlatter Forest.
The 19km (11.8 miles) route near Keswick, is owned by the Forestry Commission
and is a red grade which means it is challenging and only for experienced
cyclists.The Altura Trail (pictured right Courtesy and copyright of Altura®
Cycling Apparel) is a 19 kilometre red grade mountain bike route which
includes 15 kilometres of new single track. There are challenging single
track sections and popular features like berms, jumps, rock features,
skinnies, cork screws and table tops. There are also fantatsic views of
Derwent water, Bassenthwaite, Helvelyn and Skiddaw as the trail takes
the rider to an altitude of 500m (1600ft) above Keswick. At the trail
head a new purpose built cycle shop run by Cyclewise of Penrith offers
cycle parts, clothing, maintenance and new bike sales.A
guide to the Altura Trail (3mb pdf) is available at the Visitor Centre
or Cyclewise Shop at the trail head. This gives route and grading details
and should be read by all riders before attempting the trail for the first
time.

Passing through the central Lake District is the Coast to Coast (also
known and signposted as the CtoC or C2C) mountain biking route provides
around 130 miles of riding. Your start point can be either the lighthouse
in Workington or the harbour in Whitehaven pictured above (Here
there is a tradition of dipping your wheel in the Irish Sea and doing
likewise in the North Sea). And on the east side finish in Tynemouth (4
miles longer) or Sunderland. The Sustrans map also shows a further link
from Carlisle to Penrith. The Sustrans route is signed as 'C2C'
The route is predominantly on minor roads and disused railways. There
are some tougher (=more climbing) options, e.g going from Whitehaven crosses
Whinlatter Pass but starting from Workington (6 miles shorter) does not.
And east of Keswick the 'alternative' Old Coach Road takes you way up
on to rough moorland tracks while the 'main' route parallels the A66 on
minor roads.
The CtoC
links into the recently created West Cumbrian cycleway network near the
Mirehouse housing estate in Whitehaven. The cycleway is largely tarmac-topped
and follows the lines of disused rail links that used to serve the are's
iron and coal industrial past.
More details of the C to C cycleway can be found at: Excellent site giving details of the Coast to Coast Cycleways.
Thanks to Sustrans many disused rail lines now double as cycleways around
Keswick and between Workington and Whitehaven.
Recent
work on a new cycleway across Winscales Moor means that there is a much
safer cycle route now linking Whitehaven to Cockermouth that can be enjoyed
away from the dangerous traffic flows on the A595.
If you start from Cockermouth, take the old A66 road to Brigham and stay
with this much quieter old main road through to Bridgefoot. Here you take
the new cycleway that dips and dives alongside the main A595 all the way
to Lillyhall. Walk your cycle across the busier intersections and then
regain the original cycleway that follows the former disused rail line
gently downhill to Lowca and Parton. From Parton stay close to the sea
and the waggonway gives level and traffic free way safely into Whitehaven.
This route is part of the growing C2C cycle network.
Passing through the central Lake District this Coast to Coast (signposted
as the C2C) mountain biking route provides around 130 miles of riding
in total. Your start point can be either the lighthouse in Workington
or the harbour in Whitehaven (Here there is a tradition of dipping your
wheel in the Irish Sea and doing likewise in the North Sea at the end
of your journey). On the 'Geordie' side of the C2C ride your finish can
be either in Tynemouth (4 miles longer) or Sunderland. Details of the
C2C are well explained on the useful website: www.c2c-guide.co.uk. If
you take the Workington start for your ride don't forget to call in and
say hello to Black Tom. His is a medieval grave hidden in the church between
the village of Camerton and the River Derwent. According to local legend,
Black Tom's ghost haunts the churchyard. Black Tom is also the name of
the village pub.
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