Hard Knott Pass - Brotherilkled

Climbed Hardknott from Eskadale 25/4/2013 pouring with rain and soaked through. Did it on my Boardman CX Team with mudguards and pannier racks . Hardest bit for me was the last section. Did Wrynose earlier in the week from Langdale again pouring with rain but also blowing like a good un, this climb is not as steep but I think its harder as there is no respite, its full on all the way to the top.

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Started the climbs from the National Trust Campsite in Langdale opposite The Old Dungeon Ghyll. Was a little surprised by the ferocity and length of the climb out of Langdale before we even reached the start of Wrynose. Wrynose is quite steady until about two thirds up where the incline suddenly steepens and becomes more testing. Harknott is hardest at the first steep section at the start of the zig zags. However, it is a short section but the thought went through my head that if it was all as steep as that I might not make it. Thankfully it wasnt. The rest seemed not as bad as I was expecting. Still cant decide which was harder, Wrynose or Hardknott. Hardknott has the steeper sections but Wrynose is much longer. My brother John failed on the steep sections of both climbs but if I tell you that he had a hip replaced three years ago then I think he can be still be applauded by his effort!

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I did Hardknott this week end. Mild 12 degrees C, gusting south westerly wind and hill fog/drizzle. Had already ridden Walna Scar and Birker fell (1 in 4). On mountain bike. Felt apprehensive in case I couldnt do it mainly because of slippery surface and inconsiderate cars. Actually turned out OK, the scenery reminded me of the top of Col de La Bonnette. My 14 year old son got to top ages before me and sent message down via a descending motorist that I should hurry up. Hes a cheeky B******! Rode over Wrynose then on to the Dungeon Ghyll 1 in 4 and back to Coniston. My son stayed on middle ring the whole ride. B******

My personal climb rating:

Cannot put this brute into words...Ive climbed lots of big tough climbs in Europe.....Alpe De Huez,Pla Dadet,Mortirolo,Gavia,Pozo Nieves...and this little 2 Km killer frightens me so much more...forget the 15% average...2 steep sections with upto 35% gardients and a relent in the middle..this is a climb which requires strong mentality aswell as Physical Strength...oh jeez..I cannot explain it..just ride it and die...for me the most special climb on the planet..and at 100miles on the infamonus Fred Whitton Challenge it enters into disbeleif...

My personal climb rating:

Mark from United Kingdom 3/1/2008 is referring to Wrynose Pass from the Langdale side. This is even harder.

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There is a saying: ""what does not kill me, only makes me stronger."" What about something that very nearly kills you? With gradients of up to 33% this feel like the hardest thing in the when youre on it. Ride up gently from Ambleside, warm up through Little Langdale and take it really, really easy on the lead up, concentrating really hard on conserving your energy. And you might just make it in one go. Theres more than just the gradient against you. Oncoming or passing cars can really disrupt you rhythm on this single track road. Try not to get out of the saddle just to impress the motorists - youll burn out within ten yards. Wear dark glasses so they cant see your pain. Choose a cool but dry day: the slightest dampness on the road can cause a fatal lack of traction on the steeper sections, as can the tiniest smidgin of sheep shit. Although the road is only little more than six feet wide, do try to zig-zag up the steeper upper section just to take some of the sting out of the steepness. If you could harness the power required for the upper half of this climb, you could crush coal into diamonds.

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