District 16 is an unsupported bike packing odyssey, with a fixed route of 585km with 16000m of ascent
The routes takes you around or past the sixteen main lakes, meres or waters in the Lake District, hence the name District 16 whilst showcasing the beautiful English Lake District!
Deliberating over which hurty events to enter this year...this is on the shortlist. Its the first time its run, the amount of climbing looks a little insane! 4 days of 4000m to make it back for the pizza party or 5 days of 3200m to make it back before the cut-off. But the idea of visiting all the lakes is a big draw!
I've not ridden much in the Lake District and it was many years ago, is anyone else considering it and have any thoughts? I'm used to plenty of climbing but this is almost double the daily ascent of the other UK events I've done!
https://bikepacking.com/event/district-16-2026/
https://www.sientries.co.uk/event.php?elid=Y&event_id=15986
not seen the route. but if it is devised by Stu it will no doubt be a heck of a challenge.
just trying to plot a route around the lakes, at that distance, and taking all lakes and such in, is in itself one heck of a task.
It should add nicely to the busy Lake District trails. Like others, a company making money from public infrastructure?
I'm sure they will be absolutely raking it in. Although competitors would be spending several times the entry free in local shops/accomodation I'd expect, perhaps those businesses should stop profiteering from visitors as well.
After all, its not going to appeal to the majority, I can't imagine there are going to be hundreds of riders queuing down the Ranger Path.
limited amount of folk who could get round that. it is a great idea i reckon.
good luck if you enter.
Thanks Ton. However I asked AI about the current participant list and I think it’s a bit out of my league at the moment! My previous events have not had so much elevation and have combined hilly mtb with faster gravel and road sections.
One for the future maybe, I hope the event is a success though as I presume it needs more entry’s to be viable.
The Lakes in July? Hundreds of miles of grumpy walkers and badly driven vehicles on busy road transitions? I'd rather stick knitting needles through my bollocks.
