Quite a cycling adventure yesterday. With a good forecast and a promise of a lift to Ambleside, Richard and I set off to attempt to climb over the two passes that would take us to West Cumbria: the steep and high Wrynose and Hardknott Passes.
The roads were quiet. In fact, once we had left the main road and started to climb – gently at first – towards Wrynose Pass, there were more cyclists than cars. A sign for 30% incline alarmed us, but we were committed. The country became wilder: shaggy, tufted grasses and great grey boulders. Long inclines, not 30% perhaps, but demanding of me that I stop for breath more than once. And then, approaching the top, that 30%. The legs just couldn’t do it. Richard pressed on and waited as I pushed the last 100 metres to the top.
The view from Wrynose Pass to Little Langdale
Then down the far side, and the looming Hardknott Pass ahead of us. Oh, and a sign:
Richard at Hardknott Pass
Mike at Hardknott Pass
Hardknott was Hard. I suppose the clue is in the name. Twisting and turning as it climbs steeply, parts of it were again too Hard for me to pedal. But even so, I was pleased that I had made it (breathlessly) to the top.
And then we were dropping down, again twisting and turning so that no real speed was possible at all.
The way down
We passed the Roman fort without even seeing it, concentrating hard on the road as it fell away steeply.
And then the road flattened and straightened, and before we knew it, we were turning into a pub car park.
Now why does that always happen?
The view down Eskdale Valley from Hardknott Pass
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Map stuff from the Bike Ride Shop:
My favourite cycling map for the Lake District is the Goldeneye Country Lanes and Byways map. It shows plenty of contours; in fact I should probably have paid it a little more attention before I set off over Wrynose and Hardknott. Anyway, we stock it at the Bike Ride Shop, and it’s a great little map, weather and tear-proof.
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