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Weather and when to ride

The majority of tourists visiting the Lake District come by car so the roads can become very busy. Take the following into consideration to achieve an easier journey and a more enjoyable ride:

 Avoid national holidays and school holidays particularly those in July and August.

 Ride on weekdays rather than weekends when visitor numbers are swelled by day trippers.

 Ride early in the day before everyone else has risen or later when they are retiring indoors to eat.

Heading off down Newlands Hause (Stage 3A)

Unless you have an entry to ride, you should also avoid the second Sunday in May when 2000 people test themselves riding 179km (112 miles) over the six big passes in the annual Fred Whitton Challenge.

The best time to go touring in the Lake District is between April and October, when the days are longer and the weather is at its best. But even then, you will undoubtedly get wet and experience blustery days. So be prepared for them. As a general rule always plan your route so that you are riding south to north with the prevailing south westerly winds. However, a circular tour or day ride will inevitably mean riding into the wind at some point and this is taken into account in this guide where the majority of the higher passes are ridden south to north and west to east wherever possible. However, check the weather forecast before you set out each day and be prepared to amend your plans to take account of the weather.