Review: Carlisle

It's many years since I biked across France down to the Pyrenees. These (salad) days, I take foreign package holidays with my partner, but also do an annual week's tour by bike, (a Pan European) of a part of the UK that interests me. Last year I toured West Wales, and this September, I based myself in Carlisle for a week, staying at Travelodge. The hotel chain is great for bikers as the rooms are clean, warm and comfortable, and there's usually free parking. Carlisle was close to the areas I wanted to see; the Lake District, North Yorkshire Moors, and the Scottish Borders and daily rides were fantastic, among the stunning scenery. Carlisle's a great base, too, with a beautiful 12th century cathedral, an interesting museum, and some great little independent shops. If anyone's thinking of taking up touring by bike, Ted Simon's books such as "Jupiter's Travels"are fascinating. His latest, "Rolling Through the Isles" is an account of his recent trip, in his seventies, around the UK by the back roads. Inspirational!

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This review is solely based on the opinion of a Silver Travel Advisor member and not of Silver Travel Advisor Ltd.