Staying in the lakes next week

[Stonechat]

We are staying in Cark in Cartmel

I must admit Hardknott Pass and Wrynose are an attraction, but are they too hard?

Background info
I am 64 been cycling 3 years again.
Done plenty of hills in the SE including Barhatch Lane, also the Velothon with the Tumble and Caerphilly Mountain

But would Hardknott and Wrynose be a step too far? Prehaps go instead fo the Trough of Bowland

 

[Globalti]

At 64 you should have the ability to pace yourself and the humility to get off and walk if you need to. Fit a big cassette to the bike and use SPD mountain bike pedals and shoes for easy walking.

From Cartmel it's a bit of a schlep back to the Bowland Fells, why don't you just divert and do the Trough on the way there?

The Sustrans route from Barrow is excellent; I'd suggest you get on the train to Barrow, nip over to the coast then then ride with the wind back to Cartmel; there's a big climb just before the village that gives a satisfying descent the other side. You can ride a road bike along the track from the Leven estuary to the foot of the climb.

I can lend you the Sustrans route map if you don't have time to get one from them by post.

 

[Domus]

We have a static caravan in Grange-over-Sands only a spit away. I'm 62 and have been cycling less than a year and on my Ribble for only a month.
Not explored too far from Grange but have a look at the road through Cartmell to High and Low Newton then over to Cartmell Fell, very quiet lane with great views, through Crostwhaite, Witherslack, (nice underpass to cross the A590) Meathop and back to Grange for coffee/lunch then follow the coast back to Cark.
Enjoy.

Peter

 

[Pale Rider]

I've cycled the Trough of Bowland and driven Hardknott and Wrynose.

I reckon the Trough is easier, but there's a better reason to prefer it.

The Trough is in glorious countryside, the area between Hardknott and Wrynose is bleak and uninteresting.

No good reason to go there, other than to be able to say you've done two 'name' climbs.

 

[Spinney]

My car nearly didn't get over Hardknott (going W to E) - partly because I had the bike on the back and it nearly lost traction on one of the steep bits! I can do the Trough, there's no way I could do Hardknott!

 

[SpokeyDokey]

I've cycled the Trough of Bowland and driven Hardknott and Wrynose.

I reckon the Trough is easier, but there's a better reason to prefer it.

The Trough is in glorious countryside, the area between Hardknott and Wrynose is bleak and uninteresting.

No good reason to go there, other than to be able to say you've done two 'name' climbs.

I think it's majestic and staggeringly beautiful.

 

[SpokeyDokey]

We are staying in Cark in Cartmel

I must admit Hardknott Pass and Wrynose are an attraction, but are they too hard?

Background info
I am 64 been cycling 3 years again.
Done plenty of hills in the SE including Barhatch Lane, also the Velothon with the Tumble and Caerphilly Mountain

But would Hardknott and Wrynose be a step too far? Prehaps go instead fo the Trough of Bowland

I know you put in a good few miles so maybe you would be ok. Beyond my modest ability though!

They are hefty climbs/descents esp' Hardknott (West to East) - AFAIK the last twisty section is around 30%.

Hope the weather is better for you next week up here - it is currently hissing down as I type.

Do be aware that tourist season is in full flow at the moment and both those passes will have 'ditherers' on them who are maybe not so used to steep, rough roads with big drops off the sides - they can cause some nasty jams and can be unpredictable! Not so good for cyclists.

 

[iggibizzle]

I've done the harder side of wrynose, but not hardknott yet. Done every climb in the trough many times. Wrynose is a totally different ball game to anything in the trough. There are loads of other 'smaller' climbs in the lakes that are easier than wrynose etc . But still mostly tougher than the trough

 

[iggibizzle]

And yes as spokeydokey says the traffic can be a problem on good days on the passes. They are tourist attractions. Not sure what's attractive about frying your clutch and brakes and if it's wet it could be deadly.

 

[jonny jeez]

If hardnott seems to intimidating, perhaps consider Newlands outside buttermere.

Its a solid climb with a lovely long sweeping drop through the forests into Keswick

 

[Dave7]

Having driven both of them several times (many years ago when my job took me there) I would never have been capable of cycling them....even at my peak.
Hats off to those that can do them.

 

[Ajax Bay]

Done plenty of hills in the SE including Barhatch Lane, also the Velothon with the Tumble and Caerphilly Mountain. But would Hardknott and Wrynose be a step too far?

I've got Hardknott and Wrynose Passes to get over (W>E) on Friday, at kilometre 196 and 201 of the first part of the Mille Pennines (with a 30mph westerly blowing me over). I must confess to having put on a 28t chainwheel and a 12-30 cassette to give me a better chance. Hardknott: 300m in 2.2km - should be a doddle; and Wrynose is easier. Let's hope the poor weather keeps the cars (out of the) way. I shall not be stopping.

If you can get up Barhatch and Tumble, you can get up Hardknott and Wrynose. And from Cartmel that allows a fabulous circular route taking in the Duddon valley/fells as well.

 

[Hyslop]

I think it's majestic and staggeringly beautiful.

Me too

 

[Hyslop]

If hardnott seems to intimidating, perhaps consider Newlands outside buttermere.

Its a solid climb with a lovely long sweeping drop through the forests into Keswick

Yes indeed,a good alternative and Newlands Valley into the bargain-avoid Kes though,full of tourists!and depending when you arrive,the Keswick Convention may be in full swing,always a joy!!

 

[jonny jeez]

Yes indeed,a good alternative and Newlands Valley into the bargain-avoid Kes though,full of tourists!and depending when you arrive,the Keswick Convention may be in full swing,always a joy!!

Taken last Saturday lunchtime, after ice creams in the pub on the buttermere side