agree with alkl the above but as monoJ says, do watch out for the sheep - you think they are going one way then they change their minds!
Lovely little run with even less traffic than the majority of other roads in the area... my only warning look out for the suicidal sheep!
Definitely a cool run, and it just has to be done fast. Great high-speed corners (and some slow ones also, so watch out).
I have parents who live in Alston and I visit them on a regular basis and have agree with other reviewers of this great route that it WAS a well kept secret! However this seems not to be the case anymore and on a recent visit over the Bank Holiday there was a lot of other fellow bikers using this route. It is a great route and the only negative thing I have to say about it is that it can be extremely bumpy in places especially when you have passed the last inhabited house on the fells on route to Alston, and the usual amount of sightseers. But give it a go and I guarantee it will put a smile on your face, loads of corners, some good fast straights, and not much Plod-so far !!
Usually try to include this road on sunday blast route, brill road, bit bumpy at times and you can have 4 seasons in one day on it. Can get busy with hikers etc by High Force Waterfall and there's one quarry on the road but overall it's a great run in either direction, it's got the lot...tight ones, fast ones, ups and downs and a couple of very fast straights everything you need really.
did this route last year 2 up with camping gear on the way back from scotland and enjoyed it then will do it again on my own
Lovely fast open run, beautiful scenery and hardly ever see a copper if you avoid summer weekends when they are out there looking for you. Also quite a lot of tourists at that time of year.
What a fantastic piece of road ! I couldn't believe I'd never seen it written about anywhere before. I always try to include it in any trip in/beyond that area. Police - I got pulled over once just outside Middleton for a routine check (and me a fifty year old on a beemer). Then it was getting the good bits. It's so open, the scenery is great and the corners are fun, fun, fun. Some surfaces a bit gravelly, but most of it smooooth. Just hope it doesn't get too much attention now the secret is out.
Damn it, you've gone and given away one of the great secrets of modern times. This is (was...) a very quiet and spectacular variation in this part of the world. Superbikes are still the tool for this type of road, Ducatis especially. Try riding it all in one gear (3rd or 4th) or without using the brakes (all the way) - but not both options at the same time. Makes for interesting sport and develops good skill levels! Fantastic fun.
Leave the sportsbike boys on the famous Penrith/Alston run to take the flak from the coppers and do this one. More corners, less bikes, and if you combine it with the road from Brough to Middleton (even quieter) you will have a cracking run. Watch out for tourists cars in summer going to the local waterfall, and the unmarked Police bikes!
Great curves
Great scenery
This website uses cookies to offer you the best user experience and show relevant ads. To find out more, please read the Privacy Policy and Cookie Policy