Shakedown Pedal Day 2 - Kendal to Penrith (over Shap)


At the top of Shap

 “In hindsight, maybe all that beer and all those pies weren’t such a ood idea,” said Steve, as we puffed our way up Shap.

Profile of the Shap climb

From Kendal - To Penrith

Mileage - 26

Altitude Gain - 1800

Perceived Difficulty - hard up to the top of Shap, down and undulating 

Weather - sunny / cloudy, low 60s


Kendal food stocking

Looking back from the top of Shap

Description of the day:

  • How we felt in the morning - pretty good considering yesterday’s hills

  • Breakfast, pack up, food - split a full English (no beans, no toast), sliced ham / baby bell cheese / 5 chicken thighs

  • Morning, break - top of Shap snack

  • Midday, break - chicken thighs, Abbey Kitchen tearoom in Shap

  • Afternoon, break - none

  • Arrival in the town - difficulty - easy, hotel was on the A6

  • Where we stayed - The Lounge Bar and Hotel, Penrith

Kendal to Penrith over the rather big hill known as Shap - all 1400 feet of it.  Considering the climbs of the day before, we weren’t too sore or tired.  After a shared Full English from Booth’s cafe, a picnic supplies run from Booth’s and yet another hunt to fill my prescription (4th pharmacy no luck), we could delay the day no longer.  

The climb up Shap is well known as a long and difficult one, 1400 feet over 9 miles.  We left Kendal and headed up.  We had driven this earlier in the summer so I knew roughly what we were getting into. There was some undulation, but mostly climbing, fairly steep in sections and especially at the top.  The last mile or so was a long steep slope climb, but we did it without getting off!  Looking back down at our climb from the top to see how much up there was behind us pretty satisfying!

Then a lovely long descent into Penrith via the Abbey Kitchen tearoom in Shap.  The Lounge Hotel was right in the centre and right on the A6 so easily found.  After washing (us and our gear), we headed out for a ramble around the town centre.  Loads of pedestrian streets, plenty of interesting little shops, a couple pubs, not many restaurants. After heading back to the hotel for a glass of wine we went to Salsa for an excellent Mexican, and then off to bed!


We made it!


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