Kirkstone and Wast Water Run

I went on a solo ride yesterday around the Lake District, taking in Kirkstone Pass, Whinlatter Pass and WastWater.

 

I left home early and got to the Tickle Trout for around 9:00am, I was planning on filling up there and seeing if anyone from NUKB was about. The garage was shut with a back in 10 minutes sign posted on the shop and I couldn’t see anyone from NUKB about either. So I left join the M6 and headed straight up the M6 to junction 35 at Carnforth. From there I took the A601 and then turned right onto the A6. I carried on up the A6 stopping near Beetham for some fuel.

 

After a while I joined the A590 towards Ulverston briefly before turning right and taking the A5074 to Bowness on Windemere. This road is starting to get consistent gravel on various corners (so take care if you use this road). Within no time of joining this road I came across a Police van heading in my direction, great I though. Would you believe he actually slowed down so I could overtake him safely without braking the speed limit. In no time at all I arrived in Bowness and did a right and left and joined the A592 heading to Troutbeck.

 

After a brief comfort break in Bowness I carried on up the A592 and soon was at Troutbeck and the start of Kikstone Pass proper. I managed to negotiate Kirkstone Pass at a decent pace and also managed to pass some traffic very quickly and decisively on my way to Patterdale. (Got some great vid over Kirkstone see below) I carried on through Patterdale and then Glenridding and then I turned left onto the A5091 near Aira Force. I followed the A5091 for its entirety and then turned left onto the A66 to Keswick. Just after Keswick I took the B5292 in Braithwaite and went over Whinlatter Pass heading towards Cockermouth.

 

Kirkstone Pass on Honda VFR800 Vtec from Cavturbo on Vimeo

 

After High Lorton I turned left and went through Southwaite and then turned left onto the A5086 to Cleator Moor. I then turned left in Egremont onto the A595 to Gosforth. In Gosforth I turned left and went down several tight twisty roads eventually getting to Nether Wasdale and then starting the run down the side of WastWater to the end at Wasdale Head. I arrive at Wasdale Head Inn at around 12:05pm for lunch, thankfully it had just opened at 12:00pm and was fairly empty so I got served very quickly indeed.

 

Wast Water on Honda VFR800 Vtec from Cavturbo on Vimeo

 

After lunch I headed back down the road past WastWater again eventually arriving in Santon Bridge where I turned left for Eskdale Green. In Eskdale Green I carried on the road towards Ulpha via Birker Fell rather than turning left towards Hardknott and Wrynose Passes. I turned right in Ulpha and headed over Dunnerdale Fells to the A595 at Duddon Bridge. I took the A595 all the way to Grizbeck where I joined the A5092 towards Greenodd. At Greenodd I turned left onto the A590 and took that road all the way to Junction 36 on the M6. I crossed over the M6 and took the A65 to Devils Bridge where I stopped for a quick brew.

 

Birker Fell on Honda VFR800 Vtec from Cavturbo on Vimeo.

 

After my brew I continued on down the A65 towards Settle. After Ingleton and just before Clapham I turned right and went over Clapham Common and around Stocks Reservoir by Gisburn Forest. At the end of this road I turned right onto the B6478 to Clitheroe via Slaidburn and Newton Fells. After Clitheroe I went over Pendleton Moor and through Sabden eventually coming out Simonstone. I then proceed on the A56/M66 back home.

 

A total route of 280 miles from door to door. It took me about 7 hours in all, mainly because I was on my own. I probably only stopped for about 1 hour in all meaning a roundabout average speed of 46mph.