Honister pass

[ComedyPilot]

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).
View attachment 36830
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.

I take your Hardnott Pass, and raise it with a Rosedale Chimney....

 

[Rickshaw Phil]

I take your Hardnott Pass, and raise it with a Rosedale Chimney.... View attachment 36857

Nice try, but not as high (by nearly 400 feet according to my info).

 

[Easytigers]

I must be going mad...I'm reading this thread and actually wanting to try these hills! I used to actively dodge as many hills as possible!

 

[ComedyPilot]

Nice try, but not as high (by nearly 400 feet according to my info).

Pah.....

Your bike is parked upright on it's stand, mine had to be wedged in by the sign to stop it rolling back down dropping off the precipice......

 

[Rickshaw Phil]

Pah.....

Your bike is parked upright on it's stand, mine had to be wedged in by the sign to stop it rolling back down dropping off the precipice......

That's coz I was still on the level bit at the bottom. Hadn't started the climb yet.

On a more serious note, looking for more info about Hardknott it seems that the peak gradient is the same as Rosedale Chimney at 33% or 1 in 3. Those signs are trying to lull us into a false sense of security.

 

[jazzkat]

I don't know about Rosedale Chimney, but as you know Hardknott isn't a consistant climb. The first bit is tough and many people stop because they are in the red look up to the top and think "I can't get up this, I'm already blowing a gasket". In fact after the first steep bit it evens a out (well, it's less steep) and even gets a bit 'flatish' at one point before kicking up at a pair of hairpins just before the last gradient.
I might be making it sound easy, it might just be local knowledge, I don't reckon it's as tough as it's made out to be.

 

[400bhp]

I've done Honister. My effin MTB shoes clipped out of the effin pedals on the steepest bit. Cue a load of swearing..

 

[400bhp]

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.

:shudder:

Bl00dy hate that climb.

 

[Pedrosanchezo]

I don't know about Rosedale Chimney, but as you know Hardknott isn't a consistant climb. The first bit is tough and many people stop because they are in the red look up to the top and think "I can't get up this, I'm already blowing a gasket". In fact after the first steep bit it evens a out (well, it's less steep) and even gets a bit 'flatish' at one point before kicking up at a pair of hairpins just before the last gradient.
I might be making it sound easy, it might just be local knowledge, I don't reckon it's as tough as it's made out to be.

It's just shoot when you have to do it at 90+ miles and a whole heap of climbing beforehand. I'm changing my rear cassette from 25 to 28 for this!!

 

[SS Retro]

Honister South to North the last quarter mile has a brutal ramp to the summit but there is a cafe on the top, this would be my choice to climb it.
North to South has constant gradient changes from steep to bit steeper.

 

[Pedrosanchezo]

Well this is what i'm dealing with:

http://www.bikeit.eclipse.co.uk/localrides/ride2/index.htm

 

[400bhp]

Good luck Pedro

I've done Whinlatter & Honister before (on the same ride). Whinlatter is a breeze. Careful on the descent of Honister, it's pretty tricky.

No "The Struggle" climb? That's a bugger.

 

[Pedrosanchezo]

Good luck Pedro

I've done Whinlatter & Honister before (on the same ride). Whinlatter is a breeze. Careful on the descent of Honister, it's pretty tricky.

No "The Struggle" climb? That's a bugger.

I've not riden any of them but being from where i am from i have ridden some bastard climbs. What i have heard more than anything though is the dangers of the descents. I am a pretty good bike handler though so should be okay. I'm going over with a bunch of friends so i think it will be an awesome weekend away. A rarity in my case after just having a wee boy not so long ago. Kids ruin cycling careers, lol.

 

[MickeyBlueEyes]

and even gets a bit 'flatish' at one point before kicking up at a pair of hairpins just before the last gradient.

I remember this part when riding it, the part I thought "Oh this has leveled out", before checking the gradient on the Garmin, it was still going 10% upwards, just feels level 'cos of what you've just done.

 

[Hip Priest]

I'm doing the Fred route later this year (not on the day of the event). I know what to do to get up the hills - train a lot and lose weight. But I'm a cowardly descender, so getting down should be even more of a problem. Might have to carry a spare set of brake blocks!