Tomorrow, me and Mrs Mouse are heading to Yorkshire Dales and the Lake District. In trying to find a route with great views I stumbled across Hardknott pass, and thought, hang on, I've heard of that, isn't that famous for being rather steep? So, at maximum gradient of 30% is it something that riding 2 up on the latest Speedmaster I am mad for thinking to do? I know a lot of this is subjective. I did Bealach ne Bar last year solo without issue, but that seems less steep as maximum gradient of 20%. Edit: And is there a direction in which it's easier? Thinking steepest gradient better coming down if I have lots of weight on the rear. Front wheel could get very light going up if we can't get weight forward.
No experience of it Brown Mouse but sounds great........hope you get to complete the ride through the pass. Don't think there will be a problem.
I did Sutton Bank 25% two up and pulling a trailer a few times with NUDGER no problem mate It’ll do it
You can find videos on YouTube but the only awkward bits are tight uphill hairpins. You just want to avoid oncoming traffic in them.
TBH it's just one of those things to tick off the list. It's not an enjoyable ride, in my opinion, being too tight and too bumpy to get any sort of rhythm.
Hmm. Well I'm doing it for the scenery not the ride as such or as a chalenge. And had alteady decided that if it looks like the roads are wet I'll abort. May just start along that road, take a look at the aceneey and turn around when the road ahead looks tough.
Done it several times, 2 up on my R80RT towing a trailer. It's not a problem as long as you look where you're going and keep a positive steady throttle on the tight uphill hairpins.if you go West to East.
Done it a few times, absolutely doable two up, just take it easy. there's a nice Roman fort to look at half way.
Yeah it’s doable two up, either direction, have fun... but it’s pretty rough in places and falling off is seemingly common. As has been mentioned before, getting the traffic timed right helps, if cars or other knobheads get in your way, it affects your line choice and preferred speed. Watch the inside of the hairpins, they are steeper than the outside line. If you are not confident at slow speeds two up... be cautious Point of interest, my grandad was one of the team that tarmac’d it... It feels like it’s only ever been patched up since then! The Roman fort is interesting and some great views of the high fells
Built by the 2nd Dalmatian Cohort...... I read the inscription on returning from operations in Yugoslavia in 1993. The irony was something else!
Have you tried the Nothard Pass? Nowhere near as difficult. You need to book a restaurant, unbutton the top button of your best shirt and then, with a rose clasped between your teeth, in an erotically intense way, ask Patsy Kensit whether she knows of the Kawasaki Ninja range. Works every time.
I would say it was easier from the Eskdale side travelling back East. Plenty of scope to regulate downhill speed on tight bends with rear brake as much as engine braking. It’s also easier to look down on approaching traffic and pick your passing spots.
