Lakeland 200, rain stopped play

[PeddarsWayJason]

I posted on here recently asking advice about the Lakeland 200, and finally got round to having a go at it. A few people asked for a report on how it went once I did it, so here goes.! First of all I want to thank everyone who posted advice; I made a checklist with notes on shops, climbs, hard bits etc etc and it was a massive help. Someone mentioned the hardest section (Black Sail, Scarth Gap etc) and this worked out as mile 20 to 35 on the route, and tbh this got me through that section as I knew when it was going to end. I was pretty much counting down the miles to mile 35

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

[Lazarus]

I'd seen videos on Youtube and it looked more rideable,

Its not rideable up ( from either side ) bit short parts can be ridden( top bit from seathwaitte side but sot sure from coniston as never tried.)

[whitestone]

Hard luck

Here’s my report http://bobwightman.blogspot.com/2022/04 ... s.html?m=1 it were a bit windy

[PeddarsWayJason]

Hard luck

Here’s my report http://bobwightman.blogspot.com/2022/04 ... s.html?m=1 it were a bit windy

Great write-up, it sounds like I missed some good stuff after Keswick

[Hyppy]

Good to hear how you got on Jason, even if it didn't work out for you. All an adventure regardless, innit?

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.

I think you may have gone off route sooner than you think. It's a climb up steps/rocks rather than scree and I don't recall any stiles either.

I don't remember if I previously shared my 'slowest ever completion' write up with you: https://cycling.hypertelia.com/lakeland-200

[PeddarsWayJason]

Good to hear how you got on Jason, even if it didn't work out for you. All an adventure regardless, innit?

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.

I think you may have gone off route sooner than you think. It's a climb up steps/rocks rather than scree and I don't recall any stiles either.

I don't remember if I previously shared my 'slowest ever completion' write up: https://cycling.hypertelia.com/lakeland-200

Yes, it was definately an adventure although i had a few other words to describe it at times

From your description, it sounds like the Garmin didn't send me up the climb, then redirected me up that horrible drag, back down again, so I could turn round and go back up the correct way.. It definately beeped to go up that nasty bit but not before. That route was barely wide enough for the bike and loose rocks were above and below. I remember thinking it was a pretty dodgy place to drag a heavy bike as the whole slope looked fragile. The Garmin is a few years old now, i might have to see about replacing it or see if it needs updating in some way. Can't have that again.

That's a great write-up, it sounds like you had enough issues to cover ten trips! Fair play for getting past them all and finishing. Just out of interest; how would you compare it to the HT550? Obvs it's a lot longer but is the terrain and hike-a-bike similar or even tougher? I had one eye on trying the HT with the lakeland as a trial run, but I don't know if I could handle a couple of Black Sail passes a day for a week but at the same time it gave me the confidence to feel like I could handle a lot of hike-a-bike if the really nasty stuff is spread out a bit more.

[Hyppy]

Just out of interest; how would you compare it to the HT550?

Well I've completed a LL200 and not the other! From my knowledge of the HT550 route—knowledge which still has huge gaps in it—the LL200 is more concentrated with less time for recovery before the next big 'feature'. But then the HT550's features are all bigger and go on for longer.

There's others here who can no doubt offer a more complete comparison. I do think the LL200 is a worthwhile fortitude training exercise if nothing else.

[PeddarsWayJason]

Just out of interest; how would you compare it to the HT550?

Well I've completed a LL200 and not the other! From my knowledge of the HT550 route—knowledge which still has huge gaps in it—the LL200 is more concentrated with less time for recovery before the next big 'feature'. But then the HT550's features are all bigger and go on for longer.

There's others here who can no doubt offer a more complete comparison. I do think the LL200 is a worthwhile fortitude training exercise if nothing else.

That's good to know. I seemed to be able to recover fairly well and be ready for the next bit so if there's more of a gap that's good news. My legs felt good all day but my shoulders and arms were feeling it at times. Definately need to get on the weights

[fatbikephil]

Sounds like a wise choice bailing - I've had a few minor epics where I've ended up having to tackle 'burns' after heavy rain which end up being a major obstacle, the fear being you may end up trapped somewhere.

I've never ridden the route as an entity but have 'ridden' most of the tricky bits. The only real comparitor to these on the HT is the climb up Glen muice Beg in the middle of Fisherfield. The other section that causes a deal of distress is the Ledmore traverse as it's mainly along rather than up and down. Ben Alder and Torridon trails are pretty straightforward

Alan created both routes!

[PeddarsWayJason]

Sounds like a wise choice bailing - I've had a few minor epics where I've ended up having to tackle 'burns' after heavy rain which end up being a major obstacle, the fear being you may end up trapped somewhere.

I've never ridden the route as an entity but have 'ridden' most of the tricky bits. The only real comparitor to these on the HT is the climb up Glen muice Beg in the middle of Fisherfield. The other section that causes a deal of distress is the Ledmore traverse as it's mainly along rather than up and down. Ben Alder and Torridon trails are pretty straightforward

Alan created both routes!

There was a fair bit of water in some places even before the rain so i hate to imagine what it would've been like after 12 hours of heavy rain. I was hoping to get round in the 40 hour cut-off as a "finisher" but nothing is worth chancing in those conditions. It's good to know there isn't anything wildly worse on the HT, and funnily enough my brain is already erasing the worst of the LL bits I completed and making me think again about having a try at it

Yes, Alan is a very bad man.....

[whitestone]

The Lakeland 200 packs a lot in especially since the bridleways in the central Lakes aren't exactly "bike friendly" (or horse friendly for that matter). The main bits of the HT550 are more like the Coniston to Wasdale section but with some sections a bit harder.

Black Sail down to Ennerdale is mostly rideable if you've a dropper, there's a non-obvious line on the left avoiding the crag near the bottom that still might be a walk. Not sure from your description where you went on Scarth Gap - the main track follows the edge of the forest for most of the height gain. The descent to Buttermere was way beyond my ability.

After Keswick it's mostly easy going - there's the nasty step on Lonscale Fell that I mention in my account and the initial climb on the Old Coach Road is loose and probably better walked - but the rest is quick until you get to the climb out of Martindale which is a push. The climb up to Hayeswater and then up to The Knott is a push. The descent to Troutbeck is steep with some switchbacks, Garburn Pass is Garburn Pass. Nothing out of the ordinary then to get back to Coniston - there's a lot of up and down but nothing major.