SUP Cycle the Lakes
In 2022, Fiona Quinn will attempt the first ever coninuous round of the Lake District by stand up paddleboard and gravel cycling.
Paddling the length of the 10 lakes where SUP is allowed and then linking them up by cycling between them, Fiona will cover over 40 miles on water and 90 miles on her bike, taking on some of the Lake District’s most stunning routes.
SUP
Windermere
Grasmere
Ullswater
Derwentwater
Bassenthwaite
Loweswater
Crummock Water
Buttermere
Wast Water
Coniston
Total: 40 miles
Cycle
Loughrigg
Helvellyn range
Old Coach Road
Thornthwaite
Cockermouth
Loweswater
Buttermere
Great Gable
Walna Road
Grizedale Forest
Total: 90 miles
The Route:
Start & End: Fell Foot, Windermere
The incredible scenery and diversity of adventure available in the Lake District is what drew Fiona to move here at the start of 2020. To get to know the area she’s swapping her touring bike for a gravel one, to explore away from the busy roads and seek out those hard to get to, but well worth the effot, magical spots that fewer people get to see.
With Ride the Lakes Fiona will get that special mix of discovering views from both the water and the fells as she takes on her first SUP adventure since she paddled 800 miles from Land’s End to John O’Groats in 2018, setting 3 world records. Covering the length of each lake - from the 1 mile long Grasmere to England’s longest lake, Winderemere, at 12 miles - she’ll experience the serenity of early morning paddling as well as the hustle and bustle of being on the water in the height of the summer season.
“A continuous round of the Lake District has never been done before in this way - that’s really exciting!”
Find out more
Whether you’re a paddleboarder, cyclist or are just intrieged about the Lake District, find out about what I get up to during my adventures.
Sponsors & Partners
Previous Expedition
In 2018 Fiona set 3 world records when she stand up paddleboarded (SUP) the length of Britain. Over 81 days she battled a fear of the sea to cover 800 miles up the west coast, greeting creatures from the deep as she paddled over the Irish Sea and fighting past the deadly Corryvreckan whirlpool in Scotland.
She became the first woman to SUP across the Irish Sea and the first person to SUP the length of Britain on an inflatable board.
This expedition, added to her walk and cycle from Lands End to John O’Groats the year before, makes Fiona the first woman in history to complete a length of Britain Triathlon.
Press Coverage: