Daffy “could it be done as a loop?”
We were talking about that while riding,i think it could be linked up nicley with a decent into Kentmere (from Garburn) followed by Stile end,Gatesgarth pass,and Haweswater following the road to Askham village.
Thinking about it more i would start at the end of Haweswater as i like to get the roadwork over with first thing,and finish on an offroad section.
Or an alternative could be starting at Askham,roadwork to Swindale.Mosedale
cottage,Gatesgarth pass to stile end,garburn picking up the high street route via yoke and ill bell.
Theres always the option via Kirkstone pass and then the lakeshore singletrack,but depending on time of year/day it can be very busy with walkers.