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| To Buttermere |
The long descent from the top of the pass brought stunning views of beautiful Buttermere and Crummock Water. Another friendly motorcyclist kindly took my photograph (and I his) as we both stopped to admire the practically tropical conditions at the head of the valley.
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| Untypically tropical Buttermere |
Further along Buttermere I came across a small beach area, down a steep embankment from the road, where there was a warm glow of human endeavour occurring. I couldn't explain it, only savour that moment.
Was it the scuba divers, the swimmer, the canoeist or the cyclists, the wildlife or the walkers, the mountains or the mirror? Who knows, but all came together at the little cove; some inordinate alignment of positive energy in the universe had created the perfect feeling...summer.
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| Magic at Buttermere |
A "healthy" slice of Cumberland sausage roll served as lunch in Buttermere village. The world's most patient dog sat and watched me eat most of it, but the cuteness got me in the end. Clever dog!
Passing along Crummock Water was just as stunning too, I enthusiastically bagged it for my collection. Another one loomed into view. It was more remote, set back with no obvious route to it. I had missed the turn. Down a side road I felt certain I would find a little lane leading somewhere special.
Having retraced my way back from Loweswater, delicious rolling countryside, the most perfect cycling roads imaginable, led me towards Whinlatter Pass. A stranded cyclist was scrambling forlornly with a failed spare inner tube. As we discussed options a large group of roadies came to the rescue, producing the perfect matching skinny tube.
I briefly joined another large group on mountain bikes. We parted as they followed the official C2C route up through Whinlatter Forest itself. I took the spectacular road that sweeps around through the wide gorge into the pass. Whinlatter is a long climb but the gradient is much friendlier than Honister. At the top I met the same guys on mountain bikes as they rested between the forest and the road.
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| Whinlatter: near the trail centre |
At the trail centre two guys braked at the edge of the woods, one was too late and he went AOT over the low rail at the end of the trail. The shrieks of laughter revealed that no harm was done, at least not to any humans anyway. "I wish I had filmed that one" I shouted across to them.
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| A flatter section of Whinlatter Pass |
When the imposing features of Skiddaw came into view I knew I would soon be back down in Keswick.
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| Skiddaw |
In an outlying neighbourhood, just above the town, I couldn't resist taking a closer look at a bicycle for sale:
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| Nice Dawes Super Galaxy touring bicycle |
It was in great condition and I chatted with the owner about some of the riding he had done on it. I took a phone number but decided not to buy it in the end.
Back in Keswick, I sampled some of the hospitality in the courtyard of the Bank Tavern before bimbling back down Borrowdale.
It had been an enjoyable day off from cycle touring.
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