Had a chance for a long(ish) ride today so set off north from Preston, planning to use the M6 to Lancaster. Somehow a post I read on here popped into my mind and I decided to do a run around the Lake District passes.
I got off the motorway at Carnforth and followed the A6 and A590 until I could get onto the Lyth Valley road to Windermere. Good clear run up there, with only a couple of old bloke's picnic mobiles to get past.
Very sticky up the side of Windermere and into the Langdale valley, then traffic cleared nicely, so over the Blea Tarn road to Little Langdale. Bit of a flood, 50feet wide about a foot deep, but I saw a Nissan Qashqai (or some other unidentifiable 4x4 Lite) drive through so it wasn't a problem.
Onto Wrynose and Hardknott, quite a bit of traffic, but that just gave me the chance to admire the view of the Isle of Man.
Down though Eskdale and turned north towards Cockermouth, picking up the road to Loweswater and Buttermere. Very busy around Buttermere, began to think it must be half-term, but no kids about. Honister pass was busier than Wrynose/Hardknott, but still not enough to spoil the ride. Up to Keswick and across towards Troutbeck via Castlerigg Stone Circle, avoiding the A66 as much as possible. Also explored a couple of side roads that looked interesting, but I really must start to carry a map...
Road from the A66 to Ullswater via Dockray and then parts of the side of Ullswater have a fantastic surface and were empty, so I got a good clear run to Kirkstone Pass. Over the pass, quick shortcut to Ings and home.
240 miles or so, Blea Tarn, Wrynose, Hardknott, Honister and Kirkstone. Thought about Whinlatter, but didn't want to turn back. Five and a half hours (and no stops, no wonder nobody will ride with me). Anyone thinking of doing the passes, watch out for the gravel. Here's a couple of pics.
I got off the motorway at Carnforth and followed the A6 and A590 until I could get onto the Lyth Valley road to Windermere. Good clear run up there, with only a couple of old bloke's picnic mobiles to get past.
Very sticky up the side of Windermere and into the Langdale valley, then traffic cleared nicely, so over the Blea Tarn road to Little Langdale. Bit of a flood, 50feet wide about a foot deep, but I saw a Nissan Qashqai (or some other unidentifiable 4x4 Lite) drive through so it wasn't a problem.
Onto Wrynose and Hardknott, quite a bit of traffic, but that just gave me the chance to admire the view of the Isle of Man.
Down though Eskdale and turned north towards Cockermouth, picking up the road to Loweswater and Buttermere. Very busy around Buttermere, began to think it must be half-term, but no kids about. Honister pass was busier than Wrynose/Hardknott, but still not enough to spoil the ride. Up to Keswick and across towards Troutbeck via Castlerigg Stone Circle, avoiding the A66 as much as possible. Also explored a couple of side roads that looked interesting, but I really must start to carry a map...
Road from the A66 to Ullswater via Dockray and then parts of the side of Ullswater have a fantastic surface and were empty, so I got a good clear run to Kirkstone Pass. Over the pass, quick shortcut to Ings and home.
240 miles or so, Blea Tarn, Wrynose, Hardknott, Honister and Kirkstone. Thought about Whinlatter, but didn't want to turn back. Five and a half hours (and no stops, no wonder nobody will ride with me). Anyone thinking of doing the passes, watch out for the gravel. Here's a couple of pics.
