Ride Report: The Lake District Passes

braw

Well that was 3 of the 4 big passes sorted. I did consider going over the smaller Dunmail Raise Pass to return to Keswick but eventually decided that rule 5 had to be applied yet again. It was to be Kirkstone via the struggle from Ambleside.

There was a bit of climbing to do to get out of Little Langdale and I was glad to put it behind me to be honest as I was starting to get peckish again. Ambleside here we come.



Looking back on Little Langdale tarn




There's my butty shop in Ambleside. I had a coronation chicken sandwich for a quid and topped up the water bottle at the same time. The guy in the shop reminded me where to head for the start of The Struggle. Good chap. Thanks a lot. Ambleside was mobbed due to the Bank Holiday weekend.

here we go, here we go, here we go... I was ready for this after a nice butty stop. let's ave it..!!

It was mega steep from the start. the two MTB'ers had been to Grizedale Forest for a razz around on their bikes and chosen to return to Windermere via Kirkstone. We had a good chat and the guy recommended the Fred Whitton challenge for next year. As I passed his misses further up the road I asked if we were nearly there yet? Somehow I wasn't convinced that her answer was correct and we chuckled and said farewell.

www.fredwhittonchallenge.org.uk/






That's the pub at the top. I was greeted to a cheer from the back of a car when approaching the top. Nice one.



Before you ask, "No. I didn't stop for a pint.

The descent from Kirkstone to the North is an opportunity to get some serious speed up.

Jackanory time.....Last time I came down here was on an MTB. I'd driven up for a walk and dumped the bike at the top of Kirkstone, driven to Patterdale and parked up. I climbed up Helvellyn via Striding Edge, onto Fairfield and went a bit cross country before dropping down Red Screes onto the pub. I then had a couple of pints before jumping on the MTB to head down the Pass. My wrist was in plaster due to a recent bone graft and pin on the scaphoid so I thought I'd better take it easy and keep the speed down. I didn't want to fall off and knacker the wrist up again. So the brakes were doing a great job. too good as it turned out. There was a big bang, the overtaking car slammed on as he pooed himself and I myself did think some toilet paper might be in order. I managed to stop the bike before going over the handlebars. the front rim had disintegrated and the tube was wrapped around the front hub. Crikey..!! There was a long piece of rim just hanging off the wheel. The problem now was getting back to Patterdale and back home. The misses is a nurse and was on nights so I lobbed the bike over a stone wall and had to jog down to Patterdale to get the car. Knackered out or what..!! I did manage to get home in time though to look after the kids.



Right back on line... I fancied a good descent this time but a bloke in a blue something or other slowed me right down as he had his offside indicator on. I decided to get past and put on a bit of speed as he disappeared in my wake. "Your indicators on..!!"



Ullswater was a sight to behold on a day like today and the beaches were full of families just chilling out and enjoying the warmth of the sun

Well that's basically it. I dropped onto the A66 and made my way back to Keswick. The forecast was for heavy rain for all of the following day so I stuck the bike on the back of the car and headed off home for a brew.

Hope you enjoyed the read folks.

Yeah. They do come in handy sometimes... brakes.

Whats the saddle you are riding?