I was only miles from my destination and passing through Greystoke when I discovered that Tarzan has a strong contender for attention here. Cycling Cafe tempted me with a mug of coffee and a huge piece of chocolate brownie. Lunch had been good too. Another cyclists haven, The Lakeland Pedlar in Keswick. A wholefood, veggie cafe and cycle repair shop next to one the town’s huge car parks. Great food.
The descent from Whinlatter on the forest track was a bit of a boneshaker on my road bike. I’m not a fan of off road. Those tracks slow me down and pound my body needlessly as far as I’m concerned. So it was good to feel the Tarmac under my wheels at Thornthwaite. A little more off road on an old railway track out of Keswick and then the hard stuff all the way to Penrith.
One gripe. Why do landowners put this gates across narrow lanes just the steepest point? They break my stride either struggling to maintain momentum in bottom gear on the way up or aiming to eat up some easy miles on the way down. I know it’s to do with livestock and I’m only a visitor but perhaps ……
So today starts from Penrith heading over the toughest section of the ride. Hartside and Black Hill ahead before I come to rest inRookhope for the night.

The descent of Whinlatter Pass

Gated road on a steep incline

Cyclists Cafe in Greystoke