It
was a Sunny Bank Holiday
Monday in the Lakes and the High Street route (Roman Road) was calling. So fuelled by
porridge and toast, Charlie and CT drove to Askham to do an anti-clockwise
route, including Ullswater shore, Kirkstone pass, then hit the High St. and head
north to finish back at Askham. Doing Ullswater shore early meant fewer walkers
on the rocky sections and also a tail wind over Kirkstone. Jamie decided it was
too good to miss and turned up just in time. Askham swimming pool not yet open
we set off about 8.40am heading west to the cockpit then onto Martindale via
Howtown, this is a great bit of singletrack and we passed a jogger once, then she overttok us at a gate, until we re-took her later, she was also out
enjoying the early morning peace. This links through via a little road to
Sandwick and joins the bridleway along Ullswater. Now for some technical
sections, watch out for rocks and sheep, Charlie managed to miss the sheep but
fell, bashed her ribs and blooded her knee. Still breathing so all is OK, if a
little sore taking a breath, should be fine to carry on after all a full susser
should iron out the bumps!
Whilst
stopped for 1st aid; eat banana and start on bacon butty. Continue along the
shore, we pass a couple of bikers who have full touring panniers, not sure they will
ride much of the rocky stuff. Continue to side farm cafe for a cuppa of tea,
unfortunately there were no ice packs for Charlie’s ribs so she had to make do
with cake.
Now
onto the road for a few miles up Kirkstone pass, over the top and we stopped
for a rest and more food, bacon butty made with hot bacon, tomato and salad hits
the spot on this ride. This gave time for some rear mech’ repair to Charlie’s
bike to make sure she can get round the whole route, don’t want any excuses
bruised ribs or mechanicals! Blast down the other side and manage 42 mph, tee
off left at Town Head to Ing Lane, JB had his one and only puncture here
(getting better!), cross Ing bridge and to join the bridleway heading north up
Hagg Gill and the start of the climb up High Street, once you get towards Park
Fell the route is a bit of a walk (about 1 mile), but take it steady on this
sunny day and it’s steep but manageable. Half way up second butty and pork pie,
get to the top and ride a little, walk, ride some more, over top of High Street
some great views of Hayeswater (see photos) then down to Riggindale and tee
right for High Raise now stop for remainder of butty.
Now
it’s just a matter of heading north to Loadpot Hill and take the right tracks,
there are some great fast descents just watch out for rabbit holes and worse.
Back to Askham for an ice cream to cool off at about 4.20pm, 37 miles, loads
of calories burnt, max altitude about 2,700 ft (also the height of the Burj
Khalifa tower in Dubai), total height gain 5,900 ft. An excellent day out
especially for a BH Monday, home to enjoy the Queens Diamond Jubilee concert on TV.
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| Hayeswater |
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| Ullswater |
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| High Street from the south, near Troutbeck |
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| View from Park Fell looking back to the High Street route stretching to Windermere, nice top! |
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| Fixing stuff on Kirkstone pass overlooking Windermere |
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| Riding up High Street! |
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