I did this last weekend, my thoughts which mostly align with what you summarise: Avoid weekends if you can, The Lakes gets very busy but it's mostly Borrowdale and around Ambleside so with clever timing you can avoid those areas at peak times. Clockwise is much better than anticlockwise: easier climbs, better descents. Do it after a prolonged dry spell if possible, spring is usually better plus the bracken hasn't started growing. Use an MTB (I was on a full suss), a gravel bike would be hell. Make sure everything on the bike is in good order, there's not many repair opportunities on or close to the route, in practice that means Staveley and Keswick (pron Kezik BTW). Pack light, like really light, my total bags and kit (before food) came to less than 3kg. Either fit a dropper or have a QR seat clamp to be able to drop the seat - makes the descents much more manageable. I didn't have a seat pack for this reason. Take several senses of humour - at least one will fail. I'm old skool MTB but even with my low level of skill the majority of the descents (apart from Black Sail and Scarth Gap) were rideable, there'd be very short sections requiring a quick dismount. The LL200 seems to have popped up on everyone's radar recently for some reason. It's definitely not a "bikepacking" route in the sense that is currently being promoted.
Totally agree. I did the route at the end of May 2023, warm and sunshine all throughout. The deal breaker for bikepackers is indeed the relentless hike a bike without reward for the descent. Crux of the route Black sail pass. I wish I saw the video earlier XD
Good effort on the ride. I’m also surprised at the sudden popularity of the Lakeland 200 at the moment as there’s many better rides in the Lakes eg any of the recent JennRide routes. You also obviously recognised that you’d made it harder for yourself by going off route. The river crossing over the stepping stones across the Duddon and hike through the woods is one I’ve done and the correct route is so much easier by going further up to Birks Bridge and up the forest road. Thanks again for a great video 👌
I love this area but I will try to plan a gravel version of this route if possible .At 59 I like things a bit easier these days . But thanks for the heads up .
A great review of the route. Am going to have a look at this with a view to doing in a couple of months. Think I’ll look to find places to stay over though so less carrying of kit based on what you’ve said. 👍
I think that's the best way to get the most enjoyment out of this route, There is plenty of places to stay. There is a yha hostel on the other side of that second big climb (yha black sail) which would be a really nice place to stay.
I did this last weekend, my thoughts which mostly align with what you summarise:
Avoid weekends if you can, The Lakes gets very busy but it's mostly Borrowdale and around Ambleside so with clever timing you can avoid those areas at peak times.
Clockwise is much better than anticlockwise: easier climbs, better descents.
Do it after a prolonged dry spell if possible, spring is usually better plus the bracken hasn't started growing.
Use an MTB (I was on a full suss), a gravel bike would be hell.
Make sure everything on the bike is in good order, there's not many repair opportunities on or close to the route, in practice that means Staveley and Keswick (pron Kezik BTW).
Pack light, like really light, my total bags and kit (before food) came to less than 3kg.
Either fit a dropper or have a QR seat clamp to be able to drop the seat - makes the descents much more manageable. I didn't have a seat pack for this reason.
Take several senses of humour - at least one will fail.
I'm old skool MTB but even with my low level of skill the majority of the descents (apart from Black Sail and Scarth Gap) were rideable, there'd be very short sections requiring a quick dismount.
The LL200 seems to have popped up on everyone's radar recently for some reason. It's definitely not a "bikepacking" route in the sense that is currently being promoted.
Totally agree.
I did the route at the end of May 2023, warm and sunshine all throughout.
The deal breaker for bikepackers is indeed the relentless hike a bike without reward for the descent. Crux of the route Black sail pass. I wish I saw the video earlier XD
Good effort on the ride.
I’m also surprised at the sudden popularity of the Lakeland 200 at the moment as there’s many better rides in the Lakes eg any of the recent JennRide routes.
You also obviously recognised that you’d made it harder for yourself by going off route. The river crossing over the stepping stones across the Duddon and hike through the woods is one I’ve done and the correct route is so much easier by going further up to Birks Bridge and up the forest road.
Thanks again for a great video
👌
I love this area but I will try to plan a gravel version of this route if possible .At 59 I like things a bit easier these days . But thanks for the heads up .
Totally agree. Big day out.
A great review of the route. Am going to have a look at this with a view to doing in a couple of months. Think I’ll look to find places to stay over though so less carrying of kit based on what you’ve said. 👍
I think that's the best way to get the most enjoyment out of this route, There is plenty of places to stay. There is a yha hostel on the other side of that second big climb (yha black sail) which would be a really nice place to stay.
That's a route you want to hike really.
Yeah was about to say the same , take your hiking boots
i was thinking that going around this route
As always, useful info 😀 Is there a particular phone app you use for booking trains?
i mostly just use trainline but if i need to book the bike on then GWR app
@@KeepSmilingAdventures OK thanks 👍