Bonus Day: Keswick (Drive/Cycle/Drive)

On the way home, through Englandshire, I made a minor detour to Keswick to have one last cycle ride prior to my return to Bonnie Scotland. And, what a cycling adventure it was.

There is a well known cycling event that began in 1999, a year after Fred's death, as a way for friends and club members to honor him and raise money for charity.

The route is 112 miles (183 kilometre) in length and takes in numerous well known challenging climbs: Kirkstone, Honister, Newlands, Whinlatter, Hardknott, and Wrynose passes.

Having previously "conquered" Kirkstone and Honister, I chose to do a "Mini Fred Whitton" just about 115 kilometres, taking in Whinlatter, Hardnott and Wrynose passes.

I was hoping to find somewhere to have a coffee and cake before attempting the back-to-back climbs of Hardknott and Wrynose and was, thus, pleased to see the cafe at Dalegarth Station: the terminus of the the Ravenglass and Eskdale Miniature Railway,

Where cake and coffee was had!

Then it was back on the bike for the highlights of the day: Hardknott and Wrynose - the reason for embarking on this ride.

First sighting of the mythical Hardknott:

And, don't say you haven't been warned!!

Both climbs and descents were tough, not just due to their steepness but, also, because the roads are in a poor state of repair. Moreover, on a couple of occasions, the climbing was made harder than it already was due to motorised vehicles descending, which forced me to take the steepest gradient around around two bends! I was pleased to make it to the passes without stopping,which was aided through a splendid "granny" gear of 31x45: equivalent to approximately 19 inches!

Here's a view taken part way down the descent of Wrynose:

A little while later, just as I was thinking the worst of the climbing was over and the rest of the ride was going to be relatively easy, I came across this!

A very good day out on the bike with some fine weather and, I finally got around to "bagging" Hardknott and Wrynose!

Distance cycled: 115
Weather: Judt about perfect for cycling.

The Route: