Hardknott Pass, 2 Up, Am I Biting Off More Than I Can Chew?

Don't worry guys, we're not missing, had a great 3 days holiday, will write it up shortly. We didn't do Hardknott, I decided before going it would be best not to, but did do Wrynose pass to get to the lovely isolated valley between it and Hardknott. Wrynose pass wasn't any problem riding wise, but did cause a few squeaks from Mrs Mouse. I though that was due to the suspension bottoming out on the rough road but turned out I was cries of fright. She was really scared of the drops at the side of the road so on the way back she closed eyes a bit of the time, and I rode on the side of the road furthest from the edge where that was sensible and generally took it very sedate.

The difficult bit about that part of the journey is the extremely narrow roads with dry stone walls and many blind turns that you need to navigate to get there. The problem being the occasional idiot driving the other way as if he's not going to meet oncoming traffic.

 

Stop at the train station for a nice coffee and reflect back on the ride you have just completed. Following that go down to Wassdale and ride alongside the water to the pub right at the end of the track as they do lovely food/

 

Just looked at Wast Water on Google street view. That's definitely going to be top of my must visit list for next time I'm that way.

 

Approach some of the uphill hairpins in the wrong gear you may not have enough time/speed to correct it and it will without doubt be unforgiving, stay focused on the next turn and oncoming. Enjoy.

 

Wrong gear? On Wrynose pass (I didn't go Hardknott) I only used 1st gear And that doesn't go low enough as bike geared for cruising not hill climbing, so I have to use slipping clutch to go below 15 mph.