Lakeland Loop Anyone ?

[Tarbo]

Anyone doing the Lakeland Loop this Sunday ? Got asked by a friend if I wanted to tag along with him. I agreed. He booked us in. I looked up the route. I shoot myself !!!

Ah well. In for a penny, in for a pound as they say. Just got a compact fitted with a 25 on the back. Thinking of putting a 27 on there tho'.

That Hardnott Pass looks vicious

 

[Tarbo]

Looks like I'm on my own then !!!

Was hoping for someone to drag me over the hills

 

[PaulB]

Good luck, Tarbo. I had a look at it but the Hardknott put me riiiiight off! Don't you go up Kirkstone as well? Rather ye than me!

 

[Plax]

So how did it go? I take it this is the one you did;
http://www.everydaycycling.com/edc/events/archive_event_610.aspx

Shame I saw this too late I'd have been game for a go, although the Llanberis Pass was enough for me this afternoon! Chocolate lag and all that

 

[Tarbo]

Well I'm still alive

I'd put a lot of miles in ready for this. Done the Horseshoe pass a couple of times, from both sides. Put in a ride over Pen Borras a couple of weeks ago and put quite a lot of 120Km rides over the last two months.

But nothing could prepare you for Hardnott Pass. You could tell it was 'feared' when everyone in the last food stop was quiet and the only talk was of what lay ahead. As we rolled down the valley you could see a wall of mountains in front of you, then your eyes picked out the road ahead. All you could hear were expletives from fellow riders.

It was hard !!! I did manage to ride all the way to the top. I think dodging the traffic jam on the top was just as bad as trying to get up it.

Anyway, the ride in general was fantastic. The weather was just right, not too hot but lovely shorts weather. The signage was excellent, good clear signs at every junction and the two food stops were well stocked with goodies. The route was fantastic. A mix of big hills (three of note), and some of the lovliest countryside I've ever seen. And that from someone who lives and cycles in North Wales.

All in all, an excellent event, well organised, tremendous route and a good challenge for any cyclist.

I'll be back there next year.

 

[theloafer]

going up hardknott did not scare me ...but down the other side scared the crap out of me..

 

[Plax]

Nice. How fast did you managed to get up to going down the other side? Got up to 41mph down the Llanberis Pass this afternoon. Lots of fun.

 

[Tarbo]

Nice. How fast did you managed to get up to going down the other side? Got up to 41mph down the Llanberis Pass this afternoon. Lots of fun.

Let's put it this way. I saw a couple of people pushing down !!! Yes, pushing down. When I got to the bottom my hands were hurting from pulling so much on the brakes. Maximum speed ? About 5mph
As theloafer said, it was worse going down than going up.