I am heading to the Lakes this weekend and will be based in Hawkshead. Can anyone recommend a decent longish loop (30 miles+), preferably with a nice mix of climbing and descending? I see that Coniston Old Man is nearby - are there any routes up/around that? We're both on XC bikes so can't really tackle any extreme descents.
I rode the following route last month to check out the reconstructed Walna Scar Road. It's quite a big day out but you wouldn't need to go as far east as the ferry (which I needed to as I was staying on the other side of Windermere):
http://www.justgoride.co.uk/Content/Routes/Viewer.aspx?id=1136
There's loads of riding to be had near Hawkshead, though. This is classic (we were staying in Far Sawrey, but the bits over Claife Heights are worth doing):
http://www.justgoride.co.uk/Content/Routes/Viewer.aspx?id=520
Click on Routes Nearby on that website for more options, or get a copy of this excellent book:
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