The Three Passes, Epic lakes classic. Options

[Gareth]

This tough Lakes ride starts from Wheelbase car park in Staveley (The closest part of the Lakes for most).

It includes Garburn, Gatescarth and Nan Bield Passes.

It has approx 6000ft of climbing/descending and is 28 miles in length.

The ride has some tough technical climbs and descents together with a push/carry up Nan Bield Pass and plenty of pushing up Gatescarth too.

Meeting at 10am for a 10.30am start.

Space for one more in my car if you can make it to Leicester or en-route via Stoke/M6.

[Speedy Al]

i promised myself a good thrashing which i am sure this ride will provide.

If i can cadge a ride with you Gareth i will get to the meeting point as last time ?

[Gareth]

Sold. PM on it's way.

[Speedy Al]

Sold. PM on it's way.

Super - wonderful - marvelous thanks very much

[Nick.b]

should be good for this one .. plus a couple of others.

[pugster007]

I should be good for this - had a spin out on the road bike today, 20 miles, my knee held-up. So I'm in !



Craig.

[Gareth]

Woohoo! The weather will probably suck but honestly I don't care my wrist is getting better and I'm up for a really tough ride.

Anyone else mad enough <ahem> up for one of the best rides of the year?

[Soulman]

Just checked the mountain forecast for this area, it's gonna be a little breezy <possible understatement of the year> on the tops with 30mph+ winds from the South. I think the worst spot will be the top of Nan Bield, as the valley we descend into is South facing so air will channel-up the valley, gaining speed as it reaches the col. I just hope it's not raining at that point.

Anyway, I do like a bit of weather (masochist at heart), makes things a bit more interesting!

[floyd_england]

I'm guessing this ride will not be Rigid and Singlespeed 'friendly', otherwise I'd be keen. The Fisher is ill after being ground to a paste at Kielder last weekend.

[Mick]

I'm guessing this ride will not be Rigid and Singlespeed 'friendly', otherwise I'd be keen. The Fisher is ill after being ground to a paste at Kielder last weekend.

You'll be fine Ian!

[Gareth]

Just checked the mountain forecast for this area, it's gonna be a little breezy <possible understatement of the year> on the tops with 30mph+ winds from the South. I think the worst spot will be the top of Nan Bield, as the valley we descend into is South facing so air will channel-up the valley, gaining speed as it reaches the col. I just hope it's not raining at that point.

That's nothing, one time it was gusting to 70mph! There were mini tornadoes on Small Water, we got literally blown over from standing and took forever to get up the Pass. Really I'm not kidding it was ferocious.

I love a bit of weather me!

I'm guessing this ride will not be Rigid and Singlespeed 'friendly', otherwise I'd be keen.

Ouch, ouch and er, ouch.

[Gareth]

OK spoke too soon it's actually predicted winds of 40mph gusting to 60mph above 500M this is a concern as it's nearly (but not quite) as bad as the prediction for the day I mentioned above. We need to keep an eye on this as if it is upgraded to 70mph I would seriously consider a lower level ride. Dave has an excellent one but for now we'll stick with the Three Passes and pray the warning is downgraded. I'm not kidding when I say it's properly dangerous bordering on foolhardy from 70mph gusts and above.

[pugster007]

I agree Gareth - I would rather have a great day out riding / pushing & descending than battling against the demoralising, punishing & dangerous conditions just to be a man about it !

A day out with the MTB-B crew is all about BIG pleasure and a LITTLE bit of pain !

Craig.

[Gareth]

A day out with the MTB-B crew is all about BIG pleasure and a LITTLE bit of pain !

Yay, spot on although it hurts me more than a little!

OK Mountain weather update tomorrow at 6:00PM will make final decision after that and post ammendment to route and the crucial start point car park before 7:00
. Anyone who needs more information on wind speeds please see the Wiki on the Beaufort scale http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beaufort_scale

[Gareth]

OK we're going to switch to a lower level Lakes ride due to high winds above 500M those who don't know what this can be like haven't been up there in a gale!

New start and route information:

This is a tough little ride in the Lakes starting near Ambleside and is 32 miles in length with approximately 5500ft of climbing/descending.

It is not an easy ride even though it is fairly low level in comparison to some Lake District routes.

The ride goes through Claife, Hawkshead, Hodge Close, Tilberthwaite via Iron Keld, Elterwater, Langdale and Loughrigg.

Lights will probably not be required due to the length of this ride.

Meeting at 10:00am at Brathay - parking near the river (grid ref 366 034).

Google Link: Park by river here

Please post to let us know if you are still up for this alternative route. Sorry the Three Passes is not on for tomorrow but trust me you wouldn't like me if we got stuck going up Nan-Bield.

[Soulman]

Please post to let us know if you are still up for this alternative route. Sorry the Three Passes is not on for tomorrow but trust me you wouldn't like me if we got stuck going up Nan-Bield.

Nick B and I will be there.

[Nick.b]

me soulman and ghost rider will be joining you on the revised loop.

[Gareth]

Nice one lads should be a lot more enjoyable than being battered senseless and chucked off the trail in the heights.

[Speedy Al]

i wouldnt know any different

[pugster007]

Happy with that, I'm still in.