Honister pass

[Broughtonblue]

Despite not being on my bike since last September and having lost my mojo, a bloke at work asked me to join him on a ride in May that will include the above. After googling it and seeing the video that comes up, and checking out the strava stats on it, as a (classed as) obese 47 year old I passed on it.
But my question is really, have any of us non elite, pleasure cyclists actually been able to ride up this! It makes my local hills that I puff and pant at look like speed humps!

 

[Pedrosanchezo]

I've signed up to the Fred Whitton challenge this year and it takes in Honister, amongst other silly steep climbs (Hardknott). So yes plenty of cyclists ride up there without walking but i would get as fit as you can before trying. It can only make things, slightly, easier for you............

Good luck.

 

[nickyboy]

Gearing is the key. Combine that with a bit better fitness and you'll get up it. 34-28 is probably OK

 

[Broughtonblue]

I've signed up to the Fred Whitton challenge this year and it takes in Honister, amongst other silly steep climbs (Hardknott). So yes plenty of cyclists ride up there without walking but i would get as fit as you can before trying. It can only make things, slightly, easier for you............

Good luck.

As I said I passed on the opportunity, but credit to people like yourself that do it!
Will have to check out hardknott know

 

[Bobby Mhor]

As I said I passed on the opportunity, but credit to people like yourself that do it!
Will have to check out hardknott know

Eh, I'd prefer to try Honister ... Remember going up Hardknott in a car

 

[Broughtonblue]

Eh, I'd prefer to try Honister ... Remember going up Hardknott in a car

When I said check it out, I meant on the comfort of my settee with a laptop, not riding it, that would be bloody stupid

 

[Bobby Mhor]

When I said check it out, I meant on the comfort of my settee with a laptop, not riding it, that would be bloody stupid

Google maps is sooo handy, Enjoy what ever you do.

 

[Rickshaw Phil]

Not done Honister but I rode the tougher Hardknott and Wrynose passes last summer, so it is doable by us mere mortals. (Link to my writeup - you might have to scroll down the page a bit to get to the relevant bit).

I'd recommend having gearing as low as possible (a 20" bottom gear in my case) and not carrying too much weight if you can help it.

 

[MickeyBlueEyes]

Hardknott Pass, oh the memories ! Two aims of mine during a Coast to Coast a couple of years ago, one was to ride Hardknott non-stop and the other to hit 60 down Kirkstone Pass. Hardknott achieved but bottled it down Kirkstone.

 

[Maverick Goose]

Honister's not too bad really, not compared to say Winnat's or the Bealach Na Ba....I managed just fine on an MTB with DH tractor tyres. Just take your time and spin away kemosabe.

 

[Leodis]

Wouldnt like the Fred Whitton take on it, hitting Wryrose pass after 105 miles, no thanks.

 

[fossyant]

Gears and fitness is what you need !

 

[nickyboy]

Gears and fitness is what you need !

Well I've been in plenty of bike shops and seen gears for sale. Never seen this "fitness" you talk of. Where can I buy some? I suspect a tin of it may come in handy on my rides

 

[fossyant]

Well I've been in plenty of bike shops and seen gears for sale. Never seen this "fitness" you talk of. Where can I buy some? I suspect a tin of it may come in handy on my rides

It's free. You just have to ride your bike, lots. That's the hard bit

 

[jazzkat]

I don't find Honister as bad as some of the others. I find Wrynose going east to west is like cycling up a vertical wall!
That'll get fitness sorted soon enough