Three Parks Tour
three areas of outstanding natural beauty in one tour
Minimum Ability Level: Intermediate
The Three Parks Tour takes in the English national parks of the Lake District, Yorkshire Dales and the North Pennines - OK the last one is technically not a national park but . . . and includes some of the most iconic climbs in Britain as detailed in Simon Warren’s books - now far more than the 100 he originally listed. We nearly called it the ‘Infinity Tour’ for as we sketched out a rough route at the start of our planning process, it resembled a sideways number 8 - and the possible combinations of those 100 climbs were considerable if not exactly infinite.
And there is more: we have designed two alternative routes of different difficulty and length but starting and finishing each day in the same place so you can choose the route to suit your ability level while still relishing in the same challenge as the rest of the group. The beauty is that participants can choose which route they ride each day, alternating between them depending on how they feel OR choose to conquer the whole of one route in its entirety.
““Just had a great few days with Viva Velo. The ride leaders were spot on. Organisation excellent, Dyll is very focused on ensuring that each and every rider has a great time. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend highly. Use Viva Velo and you won’t be disappointed. Thanks guys.” ”
Britain’s highest pub - The Tan Hill Inn - will offer refreshment on day two of this tour.
what you will get
- Quality accommodation in distinctive 3 and 4 star hotels
- Vehicle support to transfer your baggage each day
- A qualified mechanic to support you
- Our experienced ride leaders to guide you all the way
- Full itinerary and route information in advance
- GPX files on request
price
From TBC (4 nights in three and four star hotels)
If we get enough members interested inthis tour we will produce a cost estimate sheet in due course
Itinerary
We have devised two alternative routes on this tour, the easier 'Classic' and the alternative 'Enigma' named because it is a variation on the Classic (get it?) and it is a mystery why anyone would want this much pain!
Day 1 Arrive St Bees. Prepare bikes
Day 2 St Bees to Alston
Classic Route - 116 km/2,000 m ascent (75 miles/6,500 feet) Enigma Route - 132 km/2,600 m ascent (82 miles/8,400 feet)
Day 3 Alston to Masham
Classic Route - 127 km/1,700 m ascent (80 miles/5,500 feet) Enigma Route - 149 km/2,500 m ascent (94 miles/8,100 feet)
Day4 Masham to Kendal
Classic Route - 120 km/1858 m ascent (75 miles/6,000 feet) Enigma Route - 137 km/2350 m ascent (85 miles/7,600 feet)
Day 5 Kendal to St Bees
Classic Route - 83 km/1,466 m ascent (52 miles/4,700 feet) Enigma Route - 74 km/1,400 m ascent (46 miles/4,550 feet)
Depart*
*An additional night in St Bees can be arranged
Ribbendale Viaduct by Michael Bryan - which we visit on both Enigma and Classic routes on day three.