SD2306582243 From the car park in the Gill, head out past Gill Cycles to Kings Street. Turn right with the one way system and a few yards further on at the Market Cross, turn hard right up the hill - this is the start of the first of the day's big climbs and sets the tone for the rest of the ride! Take the first right up Stockbridge Lane and follow the road up the hill towards Rosside. The road swings right, left then right again at a junction before climbing steeply to Gamswell Farm. Stay on the main road all the way ignoring turnings to the right and left. Eventually the road starts to descend, steeply in places, over several cattle grids - take GREAT CARE with these as they are badly set into the road and can easily mangle tyres. At the T-junction in Beckside turn left and descend the narrow lane to the A595.

SD2133887626 Turn right along the A595 and follow it past the hamlets of Wall End and Chapels - this a fast road so watch out for traffic. After passing some farm buildings the road turns sharp right - turn left down a narrow lane here. Follow this to a short sharp climb back to the A595 and continue along this, across the flats to a sharp right turn signposted "Broughton (local traffic)". Climb, descend then climb again following signs for Coniston once you reach the village to arrive in the attractive little square in the centre.

SD2140995192 Follow the road towards Coniston out of the square. After a gentle climb fork left and descent towards Broughton Mills (keep left at the first junction and right at the second). Pass the Blacksmith's Arms (good pub!) and follow the main road down to the left then sharp right after crossing a small bridge. Stick to the main road as it climbs steadily through the woods and a gate and onto the open fell. Take care on the descent into Dunnerdale - it's a technical stretch of road with some steep sections, a couple of cattle grids and quite a lot of debris on the surface.

NY2318101573 At the phone box at Hall Dunnerdale turn left and follow the road down the valley towards Ulpha (for those of weak moral fibre or in need of refreshment, the excellent Newfield Inn is only a short distance in the other direction). At Ulpha turn right and get ready for a low gear because the start of the climb onto Birker Fell starts very steeply indeed at 25%. Fortunately this is short lived and has recently been resurfaced so the climb is mostly quite enjoyable. Once you're out of the trees the gradient relents and you can enjoy the sweeping road as it gently climbs to its high point above Eskdale. On a clear day the views of the Scafells and Wasdale group are nothing short of magnificent. The descent is fast, open and well-surfaced - enjoy it! Keep right at all the junctions in the valley to reach the King George pub (very good) and turn right here. Enjoy the flat ride up the valley while you can - you soon hit the hardest climb of the day, the infamous Hardknott Pass. Select your lowest gear, get out of the saddle, grit your teeth and ignore the pain. See you at the top...

NY3331302705 Good effort! Get on the brakes immediately for the descent - in common with the climb, this is one of the most demanding descents in the area and you'll need to be in full control the whole way down. The surface is mostly reasonable but there are some very poor bits and some extremely steep sections and they come up on you without warning. Roll through to Cockley Beck and turn left to start the gentle spin towards Wrynose Pass. The climb up Wrynose is steep in places but nowhere near as tough as Hardknott. Enjoy the view from the summit then get back in the drops for the descent. The road surface is lumpy but reasonable - watch out for the sudden sharp bends near the bottom though as it would be easy to come a cropper in these. Follow the main road down through Little Langdale ignoring all turnings until you reach the T-junction at the end (near Elterwater). Turn right here, descend then climb to meet the A593 Ambleside - Coniston road.

SD2365390547 The road to Coniston climbs gently then it's a long, fast spin through to the town and onwards towards Torver. Keep straight on here and follow the road as it undulates along with superb views out to the sea. Take the first left (signposted 'Woodland') as you reach some houses.

SD2630485017 Follow the road steeply downhill into the valley. Keep straight on at junctions until following a cattle grid, you turn hard left up the hill. Climb up the hillside, quite steeply at times until you reach the top and a fast descent. It's not quite over though - keep straight on at all junctions until more climbing leads past farms and eventually spits you out onto the A5092.

SD2878278412 That's it! The uphill work is all done now. Turn left onto the A5092 then take the first right onto the B5281. Follow this fast road all the way back to Ulverston and turn right at the mini-roundabout then right again to get back to the car park at the Gill.