Keswick Alpkit 2025: A Proper Gravel Adventure in the Shadow of Skiddaw

Ian has taken on another challenge, this time a loop from Keswick to Cockermouth and back, skirting behind the grand bulk of Skiddaw. It sounded like a perfect weekend spin. What he got was something a little more…

After several days of heavy rain, the fells were saturated to the core. The gravel was soft, the puddles deep, and the climbs — well, they demanded a bit of grit of their own. Those first 16 km climbing out of Keswick felt like a full-blown workout right from the off. Legs were burning early, tyres spinning and the clouds threatening another shower at any moment.

But as every rider knows, that’s part of the fun.

The ride out to Cockermouth was classic Lake District gravel — winding tracks, steady climbs, and those moments where you pop out into open fields with nothing but wet grass and wide horizons ahead. It was mainly gravelling paths and single-track, just rough enough to keep you on your toes and grinning through the mud and puddles.

The terrain never really settled into a rhythm, but that’s what made it such a good test: technical (ish) in places, beautiful in others, and full of those surprise views that make you forget the climb behind you and the terrain in front of you.

The return leg from Cockermouth had a completely different character — a real mix of surfaces and scenery. After the off-road tracks on the way out, the ride home was a blend of quiet country lanes, firm gravel stretches and rolling descents that let you find your flow again. As the afternoon haze settled over the valley, the light caught the hillsides around Derwent Water, and the air had that fresh feel that only the Lakes can deliver. It was the perfect way to spin back into Keswick, tired but happy.

The Keswick loop isn’t the easiest in the Alpkit Gravel Series, but it’s incredibly rewarding. Between the climbs, the mixed terrain, and the scenery of Skiddaw’s flanks, it’s a ride that tests you early and pays you back in full. An all-round character-building experience.

Next time, maybe we’ll get a bit more sunshine — but then again, where’s the fun in that?

The Alpkit Gravel Series celebrates time spent outdoors, exploring, pushing limits, and embracing the elements to help sharpen focus, creativity, and resilience. These are the same qualities that fuel success in any professional setting, and we can help use our skills to fuel your brand.