Lake District
First Ride in the Lakes
In June 2023 myself and Fran visited the Lake District staying in Hawkshead just outside Ambleside in the Hawkshead Hideaway. A characterful place to stay with low beams I was always banging into.
The first ride was Monday morning starting with the 10km ride into Ambleside. The main climb came straight after appropriately named ‘The Struggle’ a 4.03km climb with 329m ascent, averaging 8.2% with spikes hitting 20%. A gruelling 29mins 15s I don’t want to repeat in a hurry, the hardest climb I’ve completed.
Upon reaching the top to my disappointment the Kirkstone Pass was closed. Do I head back down the what would be terrifying descent to find a new route or see if I can squeeze past? I chose the latter coming across the reason for closure soon after. Luckily enough they let me through just before they dug the road up.
Upon reaching Troutbeck just before the 40km mark I started the loop back towards home. Passing through Threlkeld and Grasmere before back to Ambleside. It was great to have such a clear and sunny day which showed off the great views throughout but especially around Ullswater and Thirlmere with Helvellyn in between. A great first 80km in the legs to start the trip with two more rides planned for Wednesday and Thursday.
Lakes Ride 2
The Ride that didn’t happen!
The intended route was a 62km loop with 1,050m ascent to make use of the Windermere Ferry Crossing to reach the town of Crook then head South to Levens then back towards the South tip of Windermere and back up to Hawkshead. However, I didn’t even make it the 8km distance to the ferry crossing before the rear shifter cable snapped meaning you only have the hardest gears remaining in the small and large cogs. With the tough climbs up ahead it wasn’t possible to continue much further. Luckily I wasn’t far away from home so I could free wheel and limp home with no further issues.
Then it was into Ambleside that afternoon to have it fixed. Thanks to Adam at Ambleside Cycles for getting the bike sorted quickly. Onto the next one.
Hardknott to Pass
The last ride of the week so we had to make it a big one. 94.3km - 2,079m.
As we missed out on the ferry crossing we gave that a go again today this time reaching it successfully and feeling the difference with the cleaner shifting. Staying alongside Lake Windermere to Newby Bridge was quite a pleasant rolling loop section with beautiful views of the water and hills either side. The first of 4 climbs came at 30km in, with a fast descent on the main road afterwards I achieved 71.5kph which I believe is my fastest recorded speed. This feels fast for me especially with gusty crosswinds and traffic. The ride was generally enjoyable with the legs feeling good till I reached the difficulty of the Hardknott Pass. According to Strava this is a 2.6km stretch averaging a massive 12.1% with peaks of 30%. One of the top 100 UK climbs and for good reason. Anyone who completes this is a proper athlete and a great climber. It chewed me up and spat me out so I was walking in the real step sections.
When you think you’ve done it you’ve got the technical, twisting descent down the other side where I really wish I had disc brakes over my rim brakes burning up. You make it back down then you’re looking back up the Wyrnrose Pass an equally hard 1.79km climb averaging 8.1% with again peaks up to the high 20s. Brutal. glad it was over and nice to meet two guys at the end for some photos (effecting my Strava segment time).
That was the tough work done and 75km completed riding back via Coniston and Hawkshead Hill to the Hideaway.
Sorry to Fran for being an hour late for breakfast! Really enjoyed riding in the Lakes and I’m sure we’ll be back for more.
