Thanks for the reply s chaps, I have heard about the descents and to be honest I am no great descender .
I would like to climb Hardnott to add to my list , however if the descents are that bad is it worth it?
If not , can can you suggest any challenging rides without the scary descents for rides of about 2 - 3 hours from Wimdemere ?
regards
Mark
Hardknott does go up and down, but the longer climb is from the western end.
If you enter from the east - Skelwith - you will be climbing Wrynose but, by most peoples' definition, descending Hardknott.
Whichever way you go, there are a couple of very nasty descents, not helped by a poor road surface.
I am a very cautious descender, so wouldn't try it.
But, of course, plenty do.
As regards challenging rides from Windermere, my opinion is that any ride in that area is challenging.
You could do worse than pop over the Hawkshead ferry from Bowness, turn left soon after, track south through the lanes to Spark Bridge, then pick up the marked cycle route - minor road - which takes you north along the eastern edge of Coniston.
It's then the B road through Hawkshead back to the ferry.
About 25 miles, plenty of climbing, but nothing ridiculous.