I'd booked time off for a Friday/Saturday trip, with accommodation Thursday night etc a few weeks before, so was committed to this date. The weather forecast seemed to change daily but was looking iffy for Saturday, but I decided to go ahead anyway as I didn't know when I'd have time again. So I set off from Coniston on Friday morning, straight up Walna Scar and that was a good introduction to what was coming. I'd seen videos on Youtube and it looked more rideable, as there seemed to be a lot of new looking rock?
The wind at the top was pretty fierce but the views were great. I don't get views like this in Suffolk.. The next miles were a good combination of pushing and riding and I got into a nice steady pace - not forcing the pedals but moving steadily. I did GB Divide a couple of years ago and must admit the pushing beat me mentally rather than the riding, so I was better prepared this time. I got down to Wasdale feeling good, had a decent food stop at the cafe and enjoyed the view for a bit. That's when it got a bit more serious as I started Black Sail Pass
Black Sail is incredible but jeeez I didn't think it was going to end. I gave up thinking "ooh that looks like the top!" about halfway up. I had a chat with two hikers who were sat by the little stoney waterfall and they thought I was mad; "ya might as well 'av brought a shoppin' trolley, mate, for all the good that bike's doing!"
The descent down the other side was sketchy; I wouldn't want to try and push up that going the opposite way. I went down to the YHA and had my first crash. As I rode up to the building, my front wheel washed out on some loose rocks on the last turn and I went down. I couldn't believe it - all the stuff I'd been over and that happens. I guess I wasn't concentrating after seeing the hut and thinking of a rest.
Is Scarth Gap the horrible diagonal climb up a steep scree covered slope just after the YHA? This was probably my least-favourite part; especially trying to lift the bike over the two stiles. The front wheel dug into the loose rock and it was hard to get a foothold. It's where I made a massive cock-up too.. My Garmin had intermittently stopped bleeping for turns a couple of times on the route which hadn't been an issue till now. But at the top of this climb where it turns 90 degree left to go to the top, I followed the more obvious trail to the right, and descended the steps all the way to the bottom. When I got there I realised I was pretty much behind the YHA hut so I checked the map and sure enough I was off route, but no message on the Garmin. It took half an hour to push back up to the correct turn and was a bit soul-destroying tbh. I also checked the Garmin screen a lot more from then onwards..
I rode up most of Honister pass but had to push the last bit, then had a rest on the benches at the cafe. It was shut but a hiker there took pity and gave me a couple of bottles of lucozade. I had plenty of water but he obviously thought I needed some sugar
It started raining about this point but it was now a lot more riding than pushing and the ride to Keswick was wet but good fun with some good trails. By Keswick though it had really started to come down so I called in the takeaway and made a pizza last an hour while thinking about my options. The guys there were great; they let me bring my bike in and didn't seem bothered about a filthy rider and bike dripping water all over their floor.
I checked the weather app and it was set to carry on till midday the next day so I decided that was as good a time as any to bail, and booked into the Premier Inn. I was actually feeling okay and would've carried on but not in that downpour. It was a good decision as the ride back to Coniston was through flooded roads and the water was gushing off the mountains. I definately wouldn't have had fun carrying on through that.
Anyway, sorry for the long rambling post. I'd be really interested to hear anyone elses' stories or comments
