Lake District Guide | Ollie Weekly #21 | Cycling Weekly 

Well Ollie you made a grown man homesick with this bloody vlog. Born and raised in Bolton, just down the road from the Lake District. Moved to Canada as a just married man and settled in Regina, Saskatchewan. Anyway, the production value of your vlog AND the background music just nailed it. Brought tears to my eyes..Thank you, really. Mark.

Love these Videos Cycling Weekly... Ollie is a natural in front of the camera! Keep it up! You’re rivalling GCN now...

my favorite ride is going up old willunga hill in good old Adelaide. Keep up the great work Ollie.

I think that’s the best review/documentary I’ve ever seen on the Lake District, even my none cycling wife enjoyed it! You’re giving GCN a run for their money with these vlogs, keep it up 👍

My favourite place to ride has to be the Cotswolds- a short 30min ride from my house- you can be skirting up short and steep climes through picturesque golden-brick villages. The roads are quiet, smooth and (mostly) pothole free, with a volunteer-run village cafe in some old school/church building every 3 miles. I’d recommend you visit there for a ride sometime Olly!

Loved the video. It made me homesick. I grew up in Morecambe which is just down the road from the Lakes. It must be the most beautiful place to cycle in the UK at any time of year. Its what got me into cyling back in the 80's. Going out on a Sunday run to the Lakes with the local cycling club was always a treat. Ohh that was back in the days of non-compact gears & a 6 speed cassette. In your words Ollie....well 'ard....

Great video as ever, my favourite place to ride has to be Great Dunn fell in Cumbria. It is an absolute amazing road up with unbelievable views from it and some ridiculous gradients on the way up. The last time I was there I ended up nearly getting hospitalised with hypothermia as it was slashing it down the whole ride and I only had a tee shirt on. I checked my Garmin when I got home and the temperature at the top was -4 so it was hardly surprising why I got hypothermia. But it was nothing that couldn't be sorted out with half an hour in a pub with a log fire and some coffee. I got home and the way I described it to everyone they thought I hated it, but they don't understand that it was one of the best rides I've ever done!

Did The Fred last year and the roads were crazy. Nothing like the Alps. I’d recommend leaving your expensive carbon wheels at home unless you have disc brakes. I was in fear for my life on some of the descents. I’d say the place I enjoyed staying most last year was a trip to Alpe d’Huez. I went to watch the Tour de France at the top of the Galibier, then booked a hotel so we could stay on for a few extra days. I was destroyed after back to back days of climbing mountains. The town itself is buzzing with shops, bars and restaurants when you want to relax off the bike. it has a great atmosphere and is very welcoming.

Great Dun Fell and Hartside are the ying to the Lakes yang. Less steep, but longer and higher. Just amazing! Loving the content and your passion for riding in good ole Blighty!

As someone who was born in Kendal and has grown up just south of the lakes (Milnthorpe). I so wish that I had made more use of some of the amazing area in the north lakes and not just stuck to the local rides. Anyway, Great Video Ollie keep them coming.

I’m sat here proud as punch of my back yard, and at the same time feeling guilty as I don’t do enough of the passes. I live roughly at the bottom of Duddon valley and have ridden Hardknott and Wrynose as a commute home before! Which I’d like to think would be one of the best commuter rides in the world! Agree with a few others that Ollie your storming the cycling vlogs! Keep it up fella! 👍

All the effort and hard work you put into these videos is defiantly worth it Ollie, they're great! Without a doubt my fave cycling channel atm.

This is on my A-Level English Exam in about 6 weeks

My favourite place to ride is near where I live. This isn't a lazy cop out, its just the place that feeds my soul and keeps me fit-ish. Its called Morridge Tops, from Bottomhouse to The Winking Man Pub near Leek, Staffs. A sublime ridge road with a few lumpy bits along the way. The views are epic and its generally traffic-lite but sheep heavy. Great Lakes Vlog Ollie. 😎😎😎

Great vlog ollie, make me want to go to Great Britain and visit the district definitely. Here in Orlando we have a town name Clermont, very hilly and great for training. Always look for the weekend to go there and ride. Keep it up cycling weekly!

Well you crazy jolly Ollie! I survived Liage Lastogne Liage last year in some brutal weather. 4000 m of climbing and 286km. Plenty of 25% climbs and arms and legs that were ready to snap at the end. Keep up the entertainment brother. Remember! Your worth it 🚴🏻🚴🏻💪💪

My favourite place to cycle is the A1 around Rotherham, I'd love another one of those Jersey's 🕵️

I proposed to my wife at Derwent water. We've been to the lakes more times than I can count and like you said, no matter when you go it's always stunning. I've unfortunately never taken my bike up there....yet. Best place to ride for me is Derbyshire, the hills aren't too taxing but the scenery is great, the locals are welcoming and the roads (If picked correctly) are desolate.

Great vlog! The Lake District is now on the list.

I love the Lakes - have got a caravan over there and go as often as I can! But Ollie's warning is spot on - there are few flat roads over there!

Favourite place to ride has to be the Basque Country, it's the perfect mix of striking scenery, gnarly climbs and cracking grub wherever you go. Not to mention the fascinating history (on and off the bike!)

What a brilliant vlog by Ollie. Used this link to send to cycling buddies to encourage them to go cycling in the Lakes - no place like it

I did John O'groats to Lands End I came through the lakes when appleby horse fair was on. I could not get a premier inn but in hindsight that would of been terrible they quoted me £250 for hotel for the night. So I stayed in Shap in the New Ing Lodge £19 with breakfast included. I was that happy because it had been raining all day- I cried with tears of joy as I ate my porridge in the morning. :)

Will be riding the lakeland loop in April with all those bumps... Can't wait

Colorado! So many beautiful mountains. The Lake District looks amazing btw.

Fair play Ollie I look forward to these vlogs each week. Keep up the good work! 👍🏻

Thanks for another great vlog Ollie. Watched this morning for magnificent 7 inspiration. 👍

The slate house at 13:22 (Buttermere) was where I spent many summers as a kid. Brings back great memories of walking and climbing trees. I think a trip back to Buttermere is on the cards for this year!

Thanks a lot for picking my comment. Never imagined that being a miser would win me a price one day. Keep the vlogs coming up

Growing up near the border to north Wales I spent many happy times camping & hiking there. It was only fitting that my first proper climb was the Horseshoe Pass in Llangollen. It’s a lovely pretty climb with great views.

Favourite place to ride...? Aside from anywhere and round my house on the edge of the Cotswolds, it'd have to be the road to Applecross (Beleach Na Ba)! Stunning scenery and a brutal gradient that just keeps giving all the way up all 2000+ feet of the ascent! Love it!

Having only been riding 18 months my fav place is around the Leicestershire countryside from Beacon hill over to Rutland water. Rolling scenic roads and great climbs

Great video, booking an air b'n'b now! 30% climbs sound such fun!!!

My favourite place in the world to ride is Anglesey in North Wales. It has everything, beautiful scenery, hard climbs (>30% in some places), strong winds and sometimes even some sun! The best thing about it is being able to eat Mum's home cooked food when I get back in, though.

Hi Ollie love the Blogs not sure I've got a favourite place but I rode, ride London in 2014 the year of the floods and that was one of my best times on a bike. HARD KNOT thanks for the warning as I am doing C2C this year which is 150miles and goes over Hard Knot pass opps! Not sure about winning the top but looking at the end of your blog I was chuckling to myself as you where 5mins from my house under the Franborough Airship Hanger Frame you could have popped in for coffee and accidentally left the top lol.

Favourite place to cycle is the Kitchen as it means the missus is out and I've managed to smuggle the turbo indoors from the garage. Drinks and biscuits on tap and better wifi connection for the win!!

Loving your stuff ollie binge watched the lot of your vlogs in a week! Fav place ive ridden is the scottish highlands , went up a boy came back a man with a love for cycling.

Great video. I had my first experience of the Lake District recently and was completely blown away. Oh, and I agree... Hardkott Pass is an absolute ********!

Hi Ollie, My favourite place to ride is Glen Loth (Full Loth Climb on strava), simply the best ribbon of gravel, turf and sheep sh*te you can find. But please don't come up and check it out, as its under a foot of snow. cheers man, mark

The North Yorkshire Moors are my favourite. Isolation & diversity of terrain & some massive hills?!! Pick me! Pick me!!! 😁😁😁

Hi ollie l live just 15 minutes away from crummock water lived here all my life, l love the place, don't post many of my road rides just done a ride from Grasmere to little Langdale and up to bleatarn, on my orbea gravel e bike well at the age of 73 it makes the ride really enjoyable. Thanks for comment's on the lakes l also think it's the best place in the world.

Another top vlog Ollie! My favourite place is the hills just north of Manchester. Found a glorious road between Rochdale and Halifax on the first outing of my new bike. Loved the scenery and silence so much was looking about and misjudged a corner and smashed into the prickliest bush ever made! Bike and me well but still my favourite ride of the year!!!

Favourite place in the UK is a loop in the Yorkshire Dales. Climb up Langcliffe Scar and over Malham Moor on a lovely bit of smooth undulating road, a crazy descent to Arncliffe then up through Kettlewell for the brutal but amazing Park Rash. Follow Cam Gill Road to Melmersby, then a bum clenching descent to West Witton and along the A684 & B6160 to climb Kidstones Pass. Another glorious descent back down towards Kettlewell, then take the tiny road to Foxup where you climb back up to Malham Moor. One last exhilarating drop down to Stainforth and a quick burn along the B4679 back to Langcliffe

Hi Ollie, greatly enjoy your videos. My favourite place to ride, MTB, is Sani Pass South Africa. 8km and just under 1000 metres of climbing and what a view at the top. Includes the highest pub in Africa. Authorities are in the process of tarring the road so will be a road cyclists must do very soon. Only 4x4 vehicles allowed to drive the pass.

My favourite place I have ever ridden is the Austrian alps especially near the small ski town of Schladming. I've been there 3 times now, in 2011,2015,2016 and I gotta say the sense of achivement i've gotten there is greater than any other place i've ridden. And that is because in 2011 I was only 12 years old so I could barely get up the smallest hills in the area, in 2015 I was not that fit so I could only manage 2.2k out of a 8k climb before I was totally broken. But in 2016 I came there with great form and I knew I could tackle the biggest local climb so I actually was able to ride the whole climb and it was such a great achivement and I actually got top 10 on Strava with was a big bonus. But I just love the austrian culture and scenery of the big mountains and the small austrian villages, best place to ride for me for sure.

Northumberland all the way! The riding varies so much, from flat costal rides to riding in the cheviots! Its beautiful and there's so much history to be seen along the way!

Great vlog Ollie, I'm fortunate to live on the edge of the lake district and have ridden all of these climbs...however, I would say that cycling on the Isle of Skye is by far the best place I have ridden. I did the Skye Mor sportive last year on the most calm and clear day and the first 40 miles just hugs the coastline and you were just looking out at stunning views constantly. There are some pretty tough climbs to navigate your way through also but there are some cracking pubs to welcome you on your return to Portree. Cheers Glenn (unbiased Scotsman)

Spot on Ollie, great watch...

A nice gentle reminder to go ride some hills in preparation for this years Fred Whitton ... cheers Ollie

My favorite place that I've ridden so far, is the Snoqualmie Pass in Washington State, USA. You get to start at beautiful locations on either side, have a nice long climb all the way up, stunning views of the mountains, and a long, fun descent!

Love the vlogs Ollie. My favourite place to ride is in the hills surrounding Perth, Western Australia. There's a great mix of long ascents with fairly easy gradients along with some epic ball tearing short climbs and they are all pretty accessible. Win win. The best climbs are the ones that inspire you to go harder!

Your Vlogs are ace?!! More please!!!

Northern Colorado. The ride from Fort Collins to Estes Park is an epic ride with tons of twisties and scenery galore. Definitely my favorite place to ride.

Great video, makes me want to move back to the UK!

Great video, inspired to head up there and hurt my legs. Come to North Wales sometime, we’ve got brilliant scenery and roads and loads less tourists!

Didn't expect to see a mention of L'enclume! It's an amazing place to eat.

i do not have the chance to ride in other country but here in france we have quite a few stuning places to ride especially in the alps but to me the best one's always are your home roads. The one you know every bit and still continue to go through snow wind and rain because it's your second home and nothing is better than your home !

very far north of scotland , glorious views, great people and wildlife. small twisty roads. great training ( as long as you are not trying to do a recovery ride). best part is that you ride up a 20 second steep climb, are ready to vomit at the top, have 5 seconds of decent followed by another climb. repeated for 100km is quite painful.

I'm doing the Fred Whitton later this year and can't wait to ride in the Lakes! Used to go there loads with my dad walking up the fells (Helvellyn in the snow was amazing), but it'll be the first time riding up there. My favourite place to ride though has to be Staffordshire then into Cheshire to get home. A short climb out of Stafford, then a gradual descent onto the Cheshire plain - proper countryside, flat and perfect on a sunny day.

My favorite place is up Angels Crest Highway and up to Mt Wilson Observatory In Cali. I think most people in LA would recommend the mountains out by Malibu, and while they are ridiculously beautiful and there are loads of amazing rides like Latigo, Piuma, Flores etc that give you insane ocean views and steep windy descents, I think heading inland is a little less instagrammed and just as fun. Within 15 miles of my home in Hollywood, I can ride up Above 3,300 ft and do over 9,000 ft of climbing in a sub 80 mile loop but you could easily make it even more epic if you wanted. It’s not as popular as Baldy bc of the TOC but The views are breath taking, the ride is challenging and you can be back in LA to spend the evening and grab dinner without ever getting off your bike. There are off shoot fire roads and gravel in the area if you’re too cool for the road. LA is a Mecca if you want to fall out of your door step and be on a 15-60 minute climb. The roads are shit and the drivers are tears but the variety and access are FIRE

Favorite place to ride: just out of my door, because it's right there and I'm on my bike. The lake district sure looks amazing. If I ever make it to the UK it'll be in the list.

For so far the Gotthardpass and the Furkapass during the Grandfondo San Gottardo in Switzerland. Because of the great view and those cobbles that make every Flandrien's heart beat faster.

Favorite ride is from my home in the city to my parents home just outside the city. We have some great sweapers going there with a great view. It is possible to take the mountainbike trail on the way, grap the gravel bike for the short adventure or rip through some amazing short snappy hills. It has to be said, the ride to moms is only 15k but it is a great joy!

From experience the weather in May is always better than July and August. You can catch an early summer hot spell, and its more likely to be wet throughout August Great video btw!

Favourite place to ride must Djursland, the "nose tip" of Denmark! Hilly terrain coast line all over and the best bakery/cafe in the world. First time I went there with my mates the sweet owner came to our table with an extra homemade chocolate treat for free because she could see that we needed some extra energy to get back home! That's epic!

Love the Lakes! Lakeland Monster is a great event. On and off road👍

Nice video Ollie, I've actually never cleared Hard Knot, mainly due to cramp with 60 miles in the legs. (Lakeland Loop) but almost managed it once but for the fella in front of me falling off and I stopped to pick him up cos his foot was trapped in the cleat..... Yeah Yeah, I know, that's on page 23 in the excuse book 📙 😉

My favourite place to ride is the French Alps. Even though it's super tough with hills everywhere, the sheer beauty of the area and iconic climbs more than make up for it (and I weigh 60 kgs so like hills) Great vlog, I'm definitly heading to the Lake District soon for a go at Hardknott.

Great video, again! Incredibly beautiful area! But I think I rather go hiking there than biking :)

Hi Ollie, my favourite place to ride s my local area round the vale of belvoir, I love getting out and finding new places and routes all around me! Great vlog as well!🤓

Believe me when I say, you'd not regret visiting the Outer Hebrides and riding it's absolutely stunning. But my Mecca is Majorca

It took me three goes to get to the top of Honister pass, it's brutal, Winlatter pass is my back yard, the only difficult bit is the climb out of Braithwaite, but awesome views at the top, and if you do it on a Hybrid, then there's fun to be had around the visitor centre, on the mountain bike trails, done that many a 6.00am in summer, before going to work.

Beautiful mate,thanks.

Thanks for showing us that amazing place Ollie! I expected to see dragons snatching up the sheep at any moment in that terrain. One of my favorite places would have to be the Gap of Dunloe in Ireland. The terrain was somewhat similar, actually, though the hills are not quite as steep. Now I will HAVE to come to the Lake District as well.

Great video. Stunningly beautiful place. I really feel the envy getting on me...

Great vid, Lake District on my bucket list so this type of info is right up my street 👍

Coming from Norwich, I really enjoy riding in Norfolk - mainly because it's flat and you don't have to deal with 30% climbs! If you know where to look, however, there are some decent hills to tackle if you're feeling up for it. Personally, I think the views are really underrated - there are some gorgeous places to find!

My in-laws live in the Lakes. I've never once been there and had it not rain, but the scenery is amazing. I do need to take my bike (and some waterproofs) up there at some point for sure. Just got to invest in a bigger cassette first I think.

I recall going up a climb and it wound up and round...narrow little bugger...they really are amazing roads, just a pity the weather ain't better BUT you'll get VERY FIT!

I stayed up in the north pennines over the summer, and it was amazing, stayed in a lovely youth hostel in alston with great bike facilities, climbed chapel fell, hartside pass and great dunn fell, was absolutely fantastic! only let down was no where near enough cafes :(

My favourite place to ride is Turin and his hills around the city, it's the place where I started riding a bike Every time I climb Superga hill (the final climb of Milano-Torino) is a great emotion (and I keep grinding)

I was watching quintana at the top. His wheel span. So slippy that day. And very cold.. But Iiving up here is fantastic. 😊

Mckenzie Pass in central Oregon, USA. 50 miles closed to cars in the early spring. Great climbs with 15ft snow banks over the summit. Ride from the high desert through lava fields and down into the Oregon rain forest. It's beautiful.

Fucking Class Ollie lad... More of this content would be cracking!! ... Cycling Weekly > GCN

Cornwall has to be up there for a great place to ride in the uk. Great roads, stunning coasts and pasties that fit perfectly in your jersey pocket to keep you nice and toasty!

As I see the snow outside, the favourite place to ride is on my turbo. Nice warm, cousy and a bit sweaty.

The alps... you cannot beat cycling up Alpe d heuz in the height of the summer and the descents are what you dream of!

A roll up Mt Wellington, Tasmania takes the cake.

Im 15 an my favorite place to ride would be Boyne Michigan, USA. The hills are very similar to the Late District, up to 31% and its just a beautifully scenic ride every day. Even when you collapse at the top.

brilliant !! well worth a watch

Best place to ride is undoubtedly Dartmoor. A mere three miles from my house is a bonus. The scenery is beautiful, the drivers are mindful of cyclists and there are routes for all cycling abilities. If you are really up for it, register for the Dartmoor Classic in July or the Moor to Sea in September. Please can I have a Cycling Weekly Jersey. Thanks

Great mini documentaries Tourism and cycling should be more

Done the Fred Whitton Challenge a couple of times it's got to be done

Favourite place to ride? Cheshire/home! Gorgeous twisting lanes. Punchy climbs on my door step. Fast flat cycle paths and north Wales A stones throw away! Everything you could ever want! Cheshire is my playground!

I like, Ollie, how you goof around with accents and do something American disc jockeys used to call puking--when you affect your voice with false excitement. And I am enjoying your Tours de Districts, fascinating. Is there a Beach District? Maybe you could do that one on a cruiser in the summer. And you give out good prizes, too, and one of these days I'd like to win one of those Cycling Weekly jerseys. And on a good day--no crisps and no biscuits--I could probably pull off a size small.

Ollie keep it up, great content

Favourite place to ride by far is up my local climb! 9km of an 8% average usually tears my legs to bits but it’s all worth it when you get to the top and can get a great view of the town! Oh and in North Queensland it’s never cold so it’s perfect in winter!

The Yorkshire Dales. It has great hills, great views and great cafes. Also, it's in Yorkshire so is, by extension, the greatest place on Earth.

The Saint Lary zone in the French pyreenees! Plenty of iconic climbs around (Pla d'Adet, Aspin, Peyresourde, Val Louron, Tourmalet...) and the gorgeous Neouvielle Reserve: after over 10k of climbing, you go up to 2000m of altitude with a bunch of beautiful lacs around the mountains, no better place to ride a bike!

Great vlog again