Map key A Tour of the Lake District: route summary table and overview map The Fred Whitton Challenge: overview map Day Rides: route summary table and overview map Introduction The Fred Whitton Challenge Lake District National Park Geology and landscape Plants and wildlife History and culture Getting there Weather and when to ride Where to stay What type of bike? Preparing your bike Preparing yourself Tips for completing the Fred Whitton Challenge What to pack How to pack Riding comfortably Fuelling your ride Riding as a group Cycle touring Day rides Maps and itineraries Using this guide A tour of the Lake District The Eastern and Far Eastern Fells Stage 1A Ambleside to Troutbeck over Kirkstone Pass Stage 1B Ambleside to Troutbeck via Shap The Northern Fells Stage 2A Troutbeck to Keswick via Threlkeld Stage 2B Troutbeck to Keswick via Hesket Newmarket The North Western Fells Stage 3A Keswick to Cockermouth over the passes Stage 3B Keswick to Cockermouth via Lorton The Western Fells Stage 4A Cockermouth to Eskdale Green via Ennerdale Green Stage 4B Cockermouth to Eskdale Green via Egremont The Southern and Central Fells Stage 5A Eskdale Green to Ambleside over the passes Stage 5B Eskdale Green to Ambleside via Coniston and Hawkshead Day rides Ambleside and the Central Lakes Route 1 Over the Wrynose and Hardknott passes from Ambleside Route 2 Around the Central Fells Route 3 A circuit of the Eastern Fells from Ambleside Penrith and the North East Route 4 Haweswater and Ullswater from Shap Route 5 Lowther Park and Ullswater from Penrith Route 6 Around Inglewood Forest Keswick and the North West Route 7 Loop around the Back o' Skiddaw Route 8 Whinlatter and Honister passes from Keswick Route 9 Across Allerdale The South West Route 10 Back o' Sellafield and Wasdale Head Route 11 The Far South West from Ravenglass Route 12 Around the Furness Fells from Broughton The South East Route 13 Around Grizedale Forest Route 14 Across Windermere from Cartmel Route 15 A circuit around Whitbarrow Appendix A Useful contacts Appendix B Accommodation Appendix C What to take Appendix D Further reading.