The trick is to avoid the bits that are popular with walkers 😉
Or not go on a bank holiday weekend! The tourists really can hack you off around these parts – we seem to attract more than our fair share of selfish and ignorant types. Whether they think no one actually lives and works in the region, and everyone is on holiday (hence no need to let you past on the road where there are no/few overtaking opportunities) or they just don't care I don't know. It's the same on the fells half the time too.
In general if you avoid the immediate areas around Ambleside, Keswick, Windermere things aren't so bad. Coniston isn't as bad, probably as it is a bit further from the M6 and they can't be arsed to drive that far. For riding I always loved the South West corner – did a ride out of Coniston and once we hit Torver I don't think we saw anyone until we came back down Walna Scar on a Summer bankholiday one year, magic!
Otherwise try the far western fells (Eskdale, Wasdale etc), the Northern fells avoiding Keswick/Skiddaw or the far eastern side (Ullswater right down through Troutbeck, Stavely, and the eastern side of Kendal).
Sometimes I wish there were less holiday makers in these parts… but then there would also be less work for me. Ah well – guess I have to live with it. Off to Coniston now to see what has been dropped down the bogs at the campsite and fecked a pump!