Ravenglass has a Roman Bath House, and a nice line in ludicrously uncyclable fords, such as this one (above).
From there I went along Esk Dale and up Hardknott Pass (above). It used to be an assault course for tanks and was only tarmacked after World War II.
Its 1 in 3 bits may not be quite as steep as Rosedale Chimney Bank in Yorkshire, or Harlech's Ffordd Penllech, but I can promise you, it's much more challenging than either. Even Bwlch y Groes is only a one-biscuit hill; this is a three-biscuit hill.
It's brutal. You'd have to be slightly mad to try and cycle up without stopping several times for, say, a biscuit and drink and pretend-photograph break and defibrillator stop. Si and Mark have cycled up it without stopping. I rest my case.
After that was some delightful Lakes scenery and villages (including Hawkshead, a quirky little gem) and – via the ferry across Windermere (£1 for bikes) – the final roller coaster to Kendal, which is endowed with a Booth's (£1 for beers).
Kendal also has a marked route that takes you all round the town, bringing you back right where you started; just follow the signs to anywhere and get caught in the one-way system.
Miles today: 40
Miles since Ravenglass: 40
I cycled up Hardknott Pass last year. I stopped about three times, too. You might have seen bits of my lungs on the side of the road.
ReplyDeleteI remember crossing Hardknott Pass with you on our Lakeland walking and camping trip many years ago.
ReplyDeleteI did look out for the point where we wild-camped, Matt. I could see no trace of it, so my latrine procedures must have been suitably sustainable.
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