A 67km day trip with Ian Lyne on a short dark damp Autumnal day.Route: having just made it onto the 10:28am train (maximum two bikes permitted!), setting off from Penrith station at 11am and heading west on the B5288 to Greystoke where the famous (C2C) cycle café was sadly closed. Joining Sustrans route 71 south on minor roads with some very steep ascents past Thackthwaite to Dockray for a pint. Then on in increasingly damp conditions downhill to Ullwaster and along the lake to the Brotherswater Arms for lunch. Then steeply up the Kirkstone Pass and coasting down to Troutbeck. Over the shortcut to Ings and the Beer Hall at Staveley. Then home in the gloom (without lights) via Burneside from 5pm.
Conditions: low cloud and light rain.
Pubs: Royal Hotel, Dockray for Corby Amber and Heskett Newmarket Skiddaw. The Brotherswater Inn for Barngates Red Bull Terrier and OSB Detention, Hawkshead Brewery, Staveley for Cumbrian Five Hop, Hoppy Black and WPA.
