BIKEPACKING WEEKEND - GREAT DUN FELL, UK

This weekend is organised by our community member KEN WYNN - what a legend to put this together and to have the incredible inside knowledge of how to do it - the right routes, accommodation and logistics. 

This is a great starting adventure for those keen to get more into bikepacking. It will social (no racing snake mindsets) but of course you will need all the kit and a bit of fitness behind you to complete the distance :) We can take care of that at City Alps in our classes !

Overview: Ferry from Ijmuiden on Friday PM arrive Newcastle Saturday AM. Cycle through the city and along Tyne then Derwent rivers to the Consett area and into North Pennines, and Weardale valley, Cumbria, then Great Dun Fell. Overnight Saturday in Penrith. Sunday AM reverse route (minus Great Fun Fell) back to Newcastle for the ferry, arrive Ijmuiden Monday AM.

Route description Saturday: From ferry terminal, ride mostly shadowing river Tyne through the Newcastle area mostly on former railway paths, then Derwent river to the Consett area. First climb is out of Edmundbyers onto the fells of the North Pennines national park to Park Head Station (474m) for lunch stop, steep descent to Stanhope. Then along Weardale valley through several villages and former lead mines with a gradual gain until Killhope mine museum and a short sharp 15% to summit at Killhope Cross (627m). Steep descent to Nenthead in Cumbria then Alston with its cobbled high street. Long steady climb 3-5% onto Hartside (575m) then long descent to Melmerby, and along valley to Knock and turn onto single lane traffic free road for Great Dun Fell, approx 10km with an average 8% but with many 15-20% ramps to the summit at the radar station (848m). This is a dead end so turn around and descend the same route back towards Melmerby then on to Penrith for accommodation.

Distance 161km

Elevation gain 2470m

Steepest gradient 20%

Route description sunday: Leave Penrith early for Melmerby to reverse yesterdays route and begin climbing Hartside, this is the longer side of the hill and maintains about 5% for 5km then 3-4% for the remaining 3km. Long downhill to Alston then short 15% cobbled Street through the town and on to Nenthead. Out of Nenthead is the other side of Killhope Cross containing three 15% ramps, then a short steep descent leading into a very long gradual one all the way back through weardale to Stanhope. Climb through Stanhope onto Crawleyside initially at 20% breaking to 10% then 5% to Parkhead Station and downhill off the moors to Consett and the Derwent river to return to Newcastle and the Tyne for the ferry. Last check in is 4.30pm

Distance 122km

Elevation gain 1590m

Steepest gradient 20%

Logistics: We need to be at the ferry in Ijmuiden latest 4pm on Friday, so convene at City Alps for 2pm and ride over as a group (anyone living in Noord or West can join up at Sloterdijk), approx 25km. The only deadline is returning to the ferry on Sunday latest check in is 4.30 but an early start for 120km should be doable.

We will let you know costs as soon as we know final numbers involved. Please save the date anyway and let us know if you are in!