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Cycling help

Ordnance Survey mapsCyclists in Kirkby Stephen

The following OS maps cover much of Eden:

Landranger (1:50,000) maps

  • OS 86 Haltwhistle and Brampton
  • OS 91 Appleby-in-Westmorland
  • OS 90 Penrith, Keswick and Ambleside area

Explorer (1:25 000 scale) maps

  • OL5 The English Lakes North Eastern Area
  • OL19 Howgill Fells and Upper Eden Valley
  • OL31 North Pennines

You can buy these and other maps and guidebooks in our Tourist Information Centres and from Eden's Outdoor shops.

The full range of OS maps is available from Penrith Tourist Information Centre.

C2C Sign post photo copyright CycleActive www.cycleactive.co.uk
Weather forecasts

  • Visit the Met Office website for a 5 day forecast
  • Visit the Lake District National Park's Weatherline website for Fell Top conditions


Bikes on trains

Penrith is on the West Coast mainline and both the TransPennine Express and Anvanti West Coast services that stop here carry bikes free of charge.

However, due to limited space advance reservations are needed and can be made by contacting:

Armathwaite, Lazonby, Langwathby, Appleby and Kirkby Stephen stations on the Settle - Carlisle line are served by Northern Rail trains, which have limited spaces for bikes.  For more information contact:

Ensure you check whether there are engineering works taking place that may affect your journey. If rail replacement buses are operating in place of trains during engineering works, then unfortunately you won't be able to take a cycle on them. Check by visiting The National Rail website before you travel.

Good Cycling CodeCyclist and dog photo by Tony West, courtesy of the Nurture Eden photo Library

Obey the rules of the road

Be courteous

  • Don't assume everyone can see or hear you
  • Give way to pedestrians, wheelchair users and horse riders
  • Ring your bell or call out (to horse riders) to alert of your approach
  • Acknowledge people who give way to you

Care for the environment

  • Try to reach the start of your journey by bike or public transport
  • Follow the countryside code: Respect, Protect, Enjoy
  • Take any litter home
  • Cycle on roads, byways, bridleways and cycle paths, not public footpaths

Look after yourself

  • Wear a properly fitting helmet and wear bright, waterproof clothingBikes at the River Eden
  • Be alert to potential hazards and take extra care
  • Carry enough food and water, and a map
  • Check tyres, brakes and gears often and be able to deal with a puncture
  • Use lights in poor visibility
  • Don't use any hand-held device whilst cycling

Visit the Lake District National Park website for codes specifically for enjoying off-road riding.

Thank you for cycling! The bike is the most efficient and environmentally friendly form of transport invented.