Cumbria Commute

S1eepless

Does anyone live+ Commute around Cumbria?

WeeDos

Not any more, but I used to. Possibly not a lot of help though

S1eepless

WeeDos wrote:

Not any more, but I used to. Possibly not a lot of help though

Did you commute to work?

I am near Hawkshead and work at Sellafield. Wrynose and Hardnotts are in the way and Corney Fell is the other route but is a bit long for a daily commute.

Im thinking of driving to the coast and cycling to site from there. I used to cycle 12 mile each way when living and working in Lancaster but its fairly flat there, so I was woundering if you commuted over Cumbrias hills and if so how you copped with the weather etc. ?

DavidSurgenor

I commute to Sellafield but only from Seascale, however, I have driven over Corney Fell many a time during the morning rush and would say you would be mad to even consider commuting over that on a bike, same applies really for any road over the fells. The coast road is really your only option in my opinion.

As for weather just make sure you are prepared for bad weather, even if it is sunny when you leave home as it can turn so quickly.

Hope this is of help.

David

Stephencp

If you intend to commute through winter the biggest problem I`ve encountered on fell roads is ice. I`ve also found that a really good set of lights, such as Lumicycle are invaluable.

To start you could ride to Barrow from Hawkshead and get the train to Sellafield. I`d avoid the main roads particularly the narrow section just north of Greenodd and use the fell roads. The fell roads have very little traffic and generally are a lot more pleasant. If it`s icy though I`ve found gritted roads are the best option. If you did that twice a day it would be about 60 miles.

I would n`t like to be on top of either Wynose or Hard Knott in winter but they would be fine to use in summer. Depends on your bike and/or your fitness. I`d use Birker Fell rather than Corney as the latter is used by a lot of drivers as the 'fast track' option to Sellafield.

S1eepless

DavidSurgenor wrote:

I commute to Sellafield but only from Seascale, however, I have driven over Corney Fell many a time during the morning rush and would say you would be mad to even consider commuting over that on a bike, same applies really for any road over the fells. The coast road is really your only option in my opinion.

As for weather just make sure you are prepared for bad weather, even if it is sunny when you leave home as it can turn so quickly.

Hope this is of help.

David

Cheers Daid,
I suspected a reply like that. I suppose I will just take the bike on my car rack, park at yottenviews and potter around site on it. I didnt really fancy the main coast road.
Is there not a cycle track from Muncaster castle to site?
It would be handy if there was.
You are lucky living close enough to ride from home. My only safe cycling is in Grizedale forest on my MTB with a wopping huge spot light on to startle the deer.

S1eepless

Stephencp wrote:

If you intend to commute through winter the biggest problem I`ve encountered on fell roads is ice. I`ve also found that a really good set of lights, such as Lumicycle are invaluable.

To start you could ride to Barrow from Hawkshead and get the train to Sellafield. I`d avoid the main roads particularly the narrow section just north of Greenodd and use the fell roads. The fell roads have very little traffic and generally are a lot more pleasant. If it`s icy though I`ve found gritted roads are the best option. If you did that twice a day it would be about 60 miles.

I would n`t like to be on top of either Wynose or Hard Knott in winter but they would be fine to use in summer. Depends on your bike and/or your fitness. I`d use Birker Fell rather than Corney as the latter is used by a lot of drivers as the 'fast track' option to Sellafield.

Cheers Stephen,
I hadnt thought about the train option. I will look into that one. Im not fit enough to tackle wrynose and my bike is just a dawes galaxy.
I have a friend who lives at Muncaster castle and She says I could park at her house then cycle in to get the miles in.
I found out about the ice on the passess earlier in the year, I scared myself to death in my car, and wouln't fancy coming off my bike on the way to work up in the fells.
It doesnt stand thinking of.

thebikeliker

If you can park at Muncaster then this is probably your best bet. I live at Seascale and cycle to Sellafield, about 2 miles, but I take a 20 mile diversion most nights to go around Nether Wasdale, Wastwater, Irton Pike etc.

Keeps me off the main road and allows me to get the miles in.

Maybe you could do something similar. Make a circuitous route from Sellafield to Muncaster then drive home?