I’m heading over to the Lakes this weekend, and thought I might ride over on friday night, then change the tyres for a decent ride on saturday.
I’ve driven over Hartside Pass a million times, and ridden it a couple.

The Sustrans route off Hartside diverts down some very wiggly and steep lanes which will slow things down a lot, i want to get there asap to start on the beer!

But if I follow the A686 all the way to Penrith, I’ll be going along at dusk (8pm ish). Is that silly? What’s the best compromise?

(From Penrith, I’ll go up to Greystoke, then down through Berrier on the Sustrans route to the A66)