The Edge Cycleworks 'Big' Lake District Weekend

Staveley - Three Passes

Day 2 - Sun 21st August 2011

While the previous nights pub visit had left us all a bit groggy the car park in Staveley proved the perfect place to start from, with its cafe and bakery. Much tea was consumed while getting ready and a number of pork pies were purchased for the day ahead.

While there was time to warm up before the first big climb, up the Garburn Pass, Mike put us to shame by riding stuff we had to walk. However, before we were halfway up we were all on our bikes tackling the technical stuff, thanks to Lucazade.

By the time we reached the top the previous night had been sweated out, just in time for the first rocky plummet, down to Kentmere. Before we reached the bottom Mike had gone over the bars and Stu had to walk some bits. It was a good indicator of the skill required for the rest of the day.

After Kentmere was another climb and descent, across to the next valley. While the climb wasn’t small and the descent another rock fest, it wasn’t big enough to count as one of the three passes on the route. A fact that was confirmed when we turned up Long Sleddale and the track disappeared into a wall of mountains.

A long ride, push and carry eventually got us to the top of the Gatesgarth Pass before the descentometer was turned up a few notches. A long, steep trail littered with hairpins and loose rocks, delivered us to the edge of Haweswater with burning arms and legs, not to mention wide eyes and nervous grins. Everyone made it down safely but there had been a few moments.

We left the day trippers and the smell of BBQ’s behind at the reservoir car park and headed up the Nan Bield Pass, the final pass of the day. Soon after the odour of charred meat disappeared we were carrying our bikes again. And the carrying went on for some time. It was definitely longer than Stu was happy with but at least we got a stunning view for our sandwich stop at the top.

Stu’s smile returned on the long, obstacle covered descent back towards Kentmere. As always the Nan Bield descent was worth the difficulty in reaching it. It kept everyone's moral high, which was fortunate as it was this that sustained us on our way back to Staveley, rather then our flagging energy levels.

If you want to follow this route check out my Staveley - Three Passes route guide.