Setting out from Keswick
Midsummer day ride out from Keswick on my Ninja Z250SL to the thrilling roads of the North Pennines. Sharpening up my biker reactions on the curves up to Hartside Summit (575 m.). Several times round for pictures by roadside photographers using my camera. Then the loop on the high fells from Alston to Middleton-in-Teesdale, a long and sweeping route renowned with bikers. A great view down Teesdale at the summit, 532 m. altitude
Fresh handmade Apple Cake and artisan coffee in Middleton before crossing over to Weardale. That’s an unfenced high moorland road with errant sheep as hazard. The Romans laid out this route. At the summit (511 m.) you can see both the North Sea to the East and the Irish Sea to the West. Passing Killhope Lead Mining Heritage Centre on the road up to the head of Weardale (623 m.), then steeply down to Alston.
Wonderful weather although the traffic built steadily during the day. Return to Keswick via Greystoke to avoid Penrith roundabout with the M6 which is a traffic bottleneck.
Difficult to think of a better ride in England.
With thanks to roadside photographers Steve and Kevin
Middleton-in-Teesdale
Errant sheep
Killhope Mining Heritage Centre
Head of Weardale