THE CYCLE - STAGE THREE
Ambleside to Keswick 32 miles
Carry on down to the lights and go R on the main road to Windermere. After a couple of miles or so take a L turn up Holbeck Lane, signed to Troutbeck. Going this way, this is essentially the beginning of the climb to Kirkstone Pass, your 6th top, and the last of the cycling leg. It is initially steep but then levels out with a great view on the right [south] over Windermere Lake. There is then a descent towards an angled T junction where [you go L] through Troutbeck, then later another L where you join the main road then onwards and upwards. This climb is long but never vicious.
The top is marked by the Kirkstone Inn. On the last section climbing up to it, you will see another steeper road climbing up to the same point on your left. This is known as “the struggle”. It is a shorter and steeper climb from Ambleside to Kirkstone that you may or may not wish to return to another time. If by some whacky quirk of navigation you are coming up this, be very aggrieved. You need to go back down and come up the other way for this ten tops attempt to count!
Over the top sees a speedy descent towards Brothers Water on the left, through Patterdale and Glenridding to the side of Ullswater on your right. A few miles down the lake turn L away from it, on the A5091 to Matterdale End. This is the last serious climb on the bike and does go on a bit. Eventually you reach the A66 at another Troutbeck and turn L to Keswick. This is the busiest road of all but does have a 1m edge strip to ride in for most of the way. Do not take the first left into Keswick but carry on through the short section of dual carriageway down the hill to the roundabout. Take the L turn into Keswick and down to the T junction and turn L. At the mini roundabout go R and follow left to go straight over the next roundabout to take a R at the next taking the Borrowdale road back to Ashness landing.
You should have 101+ miles on the clock.
<< BACK
Please note:-
To claim a record time for this challenge you must be witnessed to ride out all six cycling “Tops”. If you are obstructed from doing so by a vehicle you must remount asap at that point or below and it would be accepted. You are not allowed to push up the hill any distance. Merely stopping for a rest or going so slow you fall off precludes claiming a record time.
I you wish just to claim a 24 hour completion you may push your bike up any of the hills if necessary. [and obviously still finish in 24 hours].
Ambleside to Keswick 32 miles
Carry on down to the lights and go R on the main road to Windermere. After a couple of miles or so take a L turn up Holbeck Lane, signed to Troutbeck. Going this way, this is essentially the beginning of the climb to Kirkstone Pass, your 6th top, and the last of the cycling leg. It is initially steep but then levels out with a great view on the right [south] over Windermere Lake. There is then a descent towards an angled T junction where [you go L] through Troutbeck, then later another L where you join the main road then onwards and upwards. This climb is long but never vicious.
The top is marked by the Kirkstone Inn. On the last section climbing up to it, you will see another steeper road climbing up to the same point on your left. This is known as “the struggle”. It is a shorter and steeper climb from Ambleside to Kirkstone that you may or may not wish to return to another time. If by some whacky quirk of navigation you are coming up this, be very aggrieved. You need to go back down and come up the other way for this ten tops attempt to count!
Over the top sees a speedy descent towards Brothers Water on the left, through Patterdale and Glenridding to the side of Ullswater on your right. A few miles down the lake turn L away from it, on the A5091 to Matterdale End. This is the last serious climb on the bike and does go on a bit. Eventually you reach the A66 at another Troutbeck and turn L to Keswick. This is the busiest road of all but does have a 1m edge strip to ride in for most of the way. Do not take the first left into Keswick but carry on through the short section of dual carriageway down the hill to the roundabout. Take the L turn into Keswick and down to the T junction and turn L. At the mini roundabout go R and follow left to go straight over the next roundabout to take a R at the next taking the Borrowdale road back to Ashness landing.
You should have 101+ miles on the clock.
<< BACK
Please note:-
To claim a record time for this challenge you must be witnessed to ride out all six cycling “Tops”. If you are obstructed from doing so by a vehicle you must remount asap at that point or below and it would be accepted. You are not allowed to push up the hill any distance. Merely stopping for a rest or going so slow you fall off precludes claiming a record time.
I you wish just to claim a 24 hour completion you may push your bike up any of the hills if necessary. [and obviously still finish in 24 hours].
