Road bike hire in the Lake District

BorderCyclist

I'm going to be in the Lake District (Bowness on Windermere area) at the beginning of March for 5 days. Unfortunately, I don't have the room to take my bike down with me.

I was wondering if anyone knew of a shop that would hire out a road bike for a couple of day. I see lots of places online that hire out mountain bikes, but not road.

Plus, does anyone have any decent route recommendation? Maybe 40 to 60 miles?

Thanks

tourdriving

Road bike hire se here https://www.countrylaneslakedistrict.co ... indermere/ Windermere,Cumbria LA23 1AH (ROAD-MTB-HYBRID-TANDEM)

lakesluddite

I think the above is the best you're going to get - as you say most bike hire round here is MTB. If you can get to Ambleside just up the road (and where I am currently sitting typing this!) then Ghyllside Cycles are advertising a 'gravel' bike hire:

https://www.ghyllside.co.uk/cycle-hire.html

Not sure what make and model it would be though - but they're good folk and they'll see you right.

As for routes - as Yaz sang - the only way is up! A good flatter route though would be to get to Ambleside, and follow the road to Hawkshead and work your way around Windermere, or explore the area around Grizedale. Just try to avoid the A590 and to a lesser extent the A592 (although the A592 is closed until the end of March anyway).

Or...from Bowness head towards Winster and into the Lyth Valley - tends to be quite quiet and you can explore some nice villages such as Crossthwaite, Levens, Brigsteer etc and then you can make your way to Staveley via Crook and visit a lovely cafe called Wilfs (which just happens to be right next door to Wheelbase, an aircraft-hanger size LBS). Also, just up the road in Ings there is a branch of BikeTreks, which is worth a stop-off. Bit of bike porn. Ings is then on the way back to Windermere/Bowness.

tourdriving

If you are going for a gravel bike, here you can save 5£ a day https://www.grizedalemountainbikes.co.u ... ravelbikes Ambleside, Cumbria LA22 0QJ (GRAVEL-MTB-FAT-E-BIKE

Beatmaker

Another option is to hire a demo bike from somewhere like Biketreks https://www.bike-treks.co.uk/demobikehire/

BorderCyclist

Many thanks to you all for the suggestions. They're much appreciated. I'll take a look at them today. I'll also take a look at thoses rutes you've recommended - Cheers!