Looks fun on a quiet day
Kirkstone Pass
- Thread starter JohnnyBoxer
- Start date
Recently resurfaced for most of its length too.
I have ridden it on a quiet day and can confirm it is good fun
They could have straightened it, while they were at it.
Them folks in The Lakes would object to everything. They don’t seem to want a zip wire either
Just like the run down to, or up from, the pastures.
That road is now fucked
Oh the wibbily wobbly way;
It’s one of the best roads for teaching the edges of your tyres what their job is… Uphill or down makes no difference 
Last time I rode that road was on my Katana when it still ran on Pirelli Phantoms (when they were the tyre to have ) circa 1985 and it was bloody hard work
Ahh....... Phantoms. 3000 miles from a rear on my GS750. And considerably less on a Jota
Had to change a pair in Germany , 2200 miles from new after 10 days in the AlpsAhh....... Phantoms. 3000 miles from a rear on my GS750. And considerably less on a Jota
Pub at the top has just reopened I believe…
If you're coming from the Patterdale end which that photo is looking towards, hang a right at the Inn to go down "The Struggle" which is a wee steep road into Ambleside. I hope to come down from Moffat and do the six passes Kirkstone Pass, Wrynose Pass, Hardknott Pass, Whinlatter Pass, Newlands Pass, and Honister Pass (Clockwise) at the end of this month. I used to holiday in the Lakes when the Kids were young and when they were teenagers we used to drive in a people carrier to France and stop in YHA Helvellyn to break up the journey before heading to Poole to get the ferry to St Malo. Been about 30 years since I've done the passes on a Motorcycle though. Last time over Hardknott was in a Citroen BX in 1993!!
Strangely I got speaking with the bloke who made the sculptures at the top of Honister Pass in Potes three years ago. Terry Hawkins.
terryhawkins.co.uk
Strangely I got speaking with the bloke who made the sculptures at the top of Honister Pass in Potes three years ago. Terry Hawkins.
Terry Hawkins Sculpture Commissions
terryhawkins.co.uk
I’ve not been to the lakes much in the last ten years. I spent almost all my formative years in the lakes, walking, mountain camping, climbing, kayaking etc. unfortunately it’s become a victim of it’s own success in the last ten to twenty years.
Can’t really see myself visiting much in the future. Shame but it’s ruined now.
Can’t really see myself visiting much in the future. Shame but it’s ruined now.
If you go early or late (October's a good time) then it can be quiet enough...........weather can be shite though
Nowhere near as quiet as it used to be back in the 70s and early 80s. It was only walkers, climbers and kayakers out of the summer holidays back then. The Achilli Ratti in Langdale was a great climbing hut with walk to the Old Dungeon Ghyll for a load of beer. Full of tourists now unfortunately.If you go early or late (October's a good time) then it can be quiet enough...........weather can be shite though
I`ve spent ages plotting a route around the passes, is there a more circuitous route than this?If you're coming from the Patterdale end which that photo is looking towards, hang a right at the Inn to go down "The Struggle" which is a wee steep road into Ambleside. I hope to come down from Moffat and do the six passes Kirkstone Pass, Wrynose Pass, Hardknott Pass, Whinlatter Pass, Newlands Pass, and Honister Pass (Clockwise) at the end of this month. I used to holiday in the Lakes when the Kids were young and when they were teenagers we used to drive in a people carrier to France and stop in YHA Helvellyn to break up the journey before heading to Poole to get the ferry to St Malo. Been about 30 years since I've done the passes on a Motorcycle though. Last time over Hardknott was in a Citroen BX in 1993!!
Strangely I got speaking with the bloke who made the sculptures at the top of Honister Pass in Potes three years ago. Terry Hawkins.
Terry Hawkins Sculpture Commissions
J biker
Registered user
Its a cracking road.
For a real test, try Hardknott pass. Though do look well ahead, the cagers will run you off the road. They dont consider motorcyclists not being able to stop easily (or even at all) on the steep descents and ascents!
For a real test, try Hardknott pass. Though do look well ahead, the cagers will run you off the road. They dont consider motorcyclists not being able to stop easily (or even at all) on the steep descents and ascents!
I did Wrynose and Hardknott years ago on what must be the most unsuitable motorcycle you could imagine for taking on such a knarly road.
With it`s low seat height, looong wheelbase, odd steering arrangement requiring lots of arm articulation, massive turning circle and lack of forward vision it might have been considered risky attempting it but to be honest i can`t really remember it being that difficult..
I`m planning a return visit this year on the GSA with the Mrs on the back the main goal being climbing Scafell, she likes a climb does Mrs H. While we`re there we might as well sample the other various scenic roads.
With it`s low seat height, looong wheelbase, odd steering arrangement requiring lots of arm articulation, massive turning circle and lack of forward vision it might have been considered risky attempting it but to be honest i can`t really remember it being that difficult..
I`m planning a return visit this year on the GSA with the Mrs on the back the main goal being climbing Scafell, she likes a climb does Mrs H. While we`re there we might as well sample the other various scenic roads.
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