Inspiration needed - 2 day route

[slarge]

I think I have a passout over the August bank holiday weekend, and have a dilemma. I want to disappear into the hills for a couple of days but can't decide what to do. Options include:
-Cairngorms loop (but it's a long way to go from the Midlands)
-Pennine Bridleway (to Kirkby Stephen) and back
-Brecons and Black Mountains (a route Mr Barrington gave me years ago)
-Wildcat 200 (remember that?)

I like a route to go from and to somewhere, as I need a goal - not much good at just meandering round for more than a couple of hours.
I want some longish days (probably 200 miles off road over 2 days)
Preferably within a few hours drive of the Midlands (hence the CGL is not looking favourable)
Logistics should be straightforward (so a Coast to Coast route is probably out)

Mostly off road preferred, and away from crowds, although a couple of pub gardens might be good if the weather is nice.

Go on, inspire me. (And tell me where to go, in a nice way!)

[whitestone]

TBH I wouldn't bother with the Pennine Bridleway, there's a lot that just isn't inspiring - the Craven Gap between Gisburn and Long Preston feels like no-one including horse riders are using it, last summer some sections were chest high with vegetation

There's a new Lakeland Loop of 300km put together by Chris Hope, PostieRich posted about it on STW.

The Sandstone Way is 200km, you could do it as a day route out and a day route back We did it in two steady days (afternoon, bivy, full day, bivy, morning) on August BH a couple of years ago.

[In Reverse]

The first half of the Second City Divide might be worth a look Steve. Looks like Glasgow to Penrith will be about 230 miles. Straight up the M6 to Penrith and leave the car, train to Glasgow is 1hr 45m, ride back down over a couple of days.

The route's been put up here by someone called "rufus748"

In the thread about it on here restlesshawn suggested he may have an improvement for the borders bit.

[slarge]

The 2nd city divide looks very interesting, but too long for the time I have. I'll do either a Brecon loop or the Lakeland 300, depending on where the weather is.

[Javi]

Maybe a bit short under 200km and 4000 metres climbing loop in Exmoor and Quantocks hills Lars put in bikepacking.com
https://bikepacking.com/routes/bikepack ... -quantock/
It looks good to me

[FLV]

Get the train somewhere and ride home?

I have a plan to do this soon, from the midland perhaps train to the lakes for you?

[BigdummySteve]

Maybe a bit short under 200km and 4000 metres climbing loop in Exmoor and Quantocks hills Lars put in bikepacking.com
https://bikepacking.com/routes/bikepack ... -quantock/
It looks good to me

Having just ridden around this area I can highly recommend it, 3 hours from Banbury and stunning riding, the full B150 route would be a big ride in two days with some cafe time

[slarge]

Maybe I need a month long passout. Lakes300 is 1st choice, then I think a Quantocks/Exmoor route, then if I get reduced to 1 day it's Brecon.

Thanks all

[In Reverse]

Is there a link to the Lakes 300 route anywhere?

[whitestone]

Is there a link to the Lakes 300 route anywhere?

Here you go : https://www.gpsies.com/map.do?fileId=jfdoggxlzujvkfgp

[In Reverse]

Cheers Bob.

That might well be my bank holiday weekend sorted.