A day in the Lake District with Andy and Steve

[Steve1962]

Yesterday ‘s trip to the Lake district , taking in the Wrynose and Hardknott passes , was the most memorable bike ride I have ever undertaken .

I had originally planned to ride in the southern part of the Cotswolds , and as such rang Andy , with a view to asking him if he’d like to come along - we have done many ride outs together , and our pace and interests are alike , so it seemed a great idea ...but then I thought , why not see if we could make the most of a day’s riding , and travel up to the Lakes - I knew Andy would be interested , so put the idea to him at the start of the week .............. he agreed , and I spent all week really looking forward to the day .

The plan was to slab it up the Motorway , then peel off and head for the passes , with no further agenda than that ................ just see what happens when we get there .

With a brief stop at the village of Ing , and a quick stop at Windermere to look at St Mary’s church ..........

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Heading for Wrynose Pass ............

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

On the way over the Pass ............

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

At the bottom of the pass , we stopped to take in the views , before heading up and over the Hardknott Pass .......... what a ride this is .............. very tight bends , 1 in 3 gradient , almost all blind bends with little or no run off .NOT FOR THE FAINT HEARTED [ after riding it , I can’t believe I actually drove a Kia Sedona over this Pass on the day I got married - SWMBO cowered , covering her face with a book ............. !! ] .....

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The views are breathtaking ......................

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Halfway down the other side is the remains of a Roman Fort , built in the 2nd century , we stopped here for some more photo opportunities ................

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

including this gorgeous old car , wending it’s way over the Pass ................

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Once at the bottom , we took a well earned rest at the local hostelry .and partook of some fine english country cooking , and a drink ....................

 

 

 

 

 

Another brief stop ..........

 

 

 

 

A brief look at a map , and we decided to do a loop through the valleys , returning to the Wrynose Pass via the Duddon Valley .................. this was spectacular , and my favourite part of the whole day .............

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Having reached the Wrynose Pass junction with the Hardknott Pass , and with time getting on , we decided to head home .........which meant going back over the Wrynose Pass [ bloody result !! ] ............ we stopped at the top to check out the 3 Shires Stone ...................

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

and a few bikers rode past ...............................

 

 

 

 

 

 

From here , it was back down the other side of the Pass , and retrace our steps , pausing for an ice cream and a drink by Lake Winderemere .................. these are the only photos we have of the lake , as we only saw this one in the whole day of riding .

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Andy,

Thanks for the company and a grand day out , not forgetting , the stupid Skoda driver , and the mad dogs who tried to bite us both as we rode past !!

 

 

 

491 miles in the days riding m much of it on the motorway .............. but what a grand day out !!

 

Steve

__________________

[Francois_Dumas]

I guess being bitten by a Skoda driver IS something special...

 

The old car looks like a Bentley !

 

Great pictures Steve.... now THAT's an area I wouldn't mind riding around in :-)

[Steve1962]

Ideally,

The Skoda driver would have got bitten by the dogs !!

 

We were following the oaf back down the Wrynose Pass , and despite several opportunities to allow us to pass , he plodded along , not reading the road very well , and causing white van man [ coming the other way over a crest ] to stop and contemplate having to reverse back over the crest around a corner , even though Skoda man had just driven past an ideal place to pull over so the van could get past !!

When he did eventually realise that he would have to reverse to let the van through , he did so reluctantly , and then he just pulled out as Andy was about to go around him .............. we followed him for several miles .......... he was blissfully unaware [ or ignorant ] of our plight .

 

Steve

[L Rider]

These are extraordinary shots!!! Thanks for sharing......

[Paul_Burkett]

Steve, thank you for a marvelous ride report. It is so good that you can take the time to go exploring and then share your pics with us.

[BitScribbler]

Steve,

 

Great pictures. I doff my hat to you and Andy, I know the Hardknott pass very well and it has to be seen to be believed. Taking an RT over there is certainly not for the amateur rider. (I have yet to brave it on my bike!)

[Steve1962]

Thanks ,

We had a good run at it , but not before we had waited for the Mercedes Smart Car club to go up and over first !!

 

Andy led the way , and we traversed it without stopping .it really is an unbelievable piece of road ,you just gotta 2nd gear it all the way , then use engine braking on the way down the other side .

 

Steve

[Boffin]

Steve, that was truly a "Grand Day Out" and I enjoyed every non-motorway mile of it

 

I took 112 photographs on the trip, some of which are almost as good as Steve's. Here are a few of them for your perusal.

 

 

Horses having fun:

 

Steve in his usual pose

 

Steve following me into Windermere

 

More of St Mary's Windermere

 

 

 

The vicar in his church, I regret I have forgotten his name. I asked him to look as holy as possible I could have done with a more powerful flash.

 

The main road:

 

A leafy lane;

 

Steve photographing me, photographing him.

 

Cockley Beck Bridge:

 

 

 

The Smart Car club:

 

Yes Francois, a Bentley

 

There were a few around, the Bentley club was having a rally in Ambleside.

 

Some people can't resist a challenge!

 

The Fort:

 

 

 

Steve, inspecting the 1900 year old stonework:

 

We happened across a village dog show:

 

 

 

 

More views:

 

Steve at work with the camera:

 

 

Lake Windemere at Ambleside. This incidently, is the view from the Youth Hostel.

 

Hardnott was an enjoyable technical challenge on a bike but the real reward was the countryside it is set in. The less-technical roads in the area, set against that stunning backdrop were far more enjoyable. It was a long boring trip up the motorway but the end results were more than ample reward, made all the more enjoyable by sharing it with Steve and via this forum, you.

 

Cya,

 

Andy

[Highway41]

Beautiful pics. Amazed there are not cottages everywhere; the countryside looks like it has not changed in a century or two. Bill

[stu650]

Thanks for the ride report Andy and Steve, you pictures do the place justice.

 

I have driven, ridden, mountainbiked, hiked and water-skied in the Lake District for years and I never, ever get fed up of going there. The scenery changes every corner you go around. It's a bit of a hike from where you two live, but it was worth the effort it took to get there.

 

Stu

[roadscholar]

Andy and Steve, Your photos are exceptional. This is a truly beautiful area. I was in The Lake District in the early 70's and have always wanted to go back, these photos are giving me renewed incentive.

 

Thanks, Bill

[Wheels Rollin']

On a rainy, overcast day here in Central Iowa, Steve, your photos were truly a breath of enlightenment... Thanks so much for sharing them with us -- and what a flair you have with your camera << smile >>...

 

-- Bill

[Steve1962]

Andy,

I didn't mean to steal your thunder by posting so many photos !!

 

Just remembered that little detour we took down the single track lane that led to :

A road that was not suitable for any traffic

Undaunted by this , we chose the other fork , and ended up staring at a wooden gated barring our way [ no wonder that bloke we passed gave us a funny look ] , so had to do a very nifty three point turn in a tight space , on an uneven surface

 

Thanks once again for a memorable day out ,

 

Steve

[PaulCrinson]

I rode those passes last year. It was quite a ride and your pictures bring back great memories. I finished up by riding to Wast Water which is fantastic, only problem was I was quite tired after the ride and dropped the bike in an uneven layby

[Steve1962]

Paul,

If it wasn't for Andy , I probably would have dropped my bike too .......... on the way down the Hardknott Pass when we parked up , so I know what you mean .

I plan to revisit , and explore some more of the smaller roads .

 

Steve

[George]

Steve, Andy, what a great day you both had, you certainly got the weather for it, and thanks again for the awesome pictures.

 

Steve, how are the shares in photobucket coming along!!!

 

Take care lads, it is killing us awaiting the 21st, when we are off for the ride down to Turkey

[Steve1962]

George ,

Photobucket never had it so good !!

 

Have a great time on your trip to Turkey , and get some photos taken !!

The mobile will be on if you need anything .

 

Steve

[CraigT]

Excellent pics

 

We traveled there few weeks ago, but without camera, and appear to have missed some of the best parts. Will have to go back.

 

I can see i'll have to put a little more effort into my pics of this weekends trip to Skye!

 

George, enjoy your trip to turkey, sounds fantastic.

[Steve1962]

Craig ,

Have a great trip to Skye [ only EVER so slightly envious !! ] ..and make sure you take the camera !!

 

Steve

[Doug_TX]

Hmmm. You folks travelling all over Blighty, wonder if they're in on this ?

[sb955i]

Awesome pictures. I can't tell you two how envious I am that you can tour in such a beautiful country. This just gives me more drive to eventually relocate back 'home'

[bmw_keith]

great photos. These are the ones that make me start planning a trip.