A large part of setting these newer self-supported routes like Lakeland 200 was to enable Brits to have stuff to sufficiently prepare, physically and mentally, for the North American races or HT550. Riding across fields on old classics like the Pennine Bridleway and South Downs doesn’t cut it. I know. The challenge of routes like the Colorado Trail Race are significantly beyond a little Lakeland hike-a-bike, and can only be appreciated by doing. The 26 mile Grand Canyon portage (bike carry) on the AZTR is going to be tough. Don’t expect to ride the whole Iditarod.

The idea to connect all the Lakeland Classics into one single loop, ridden in one go around England’s most beautiful National Park, I see as a courageous one. It is unfair to criticise, whinge about experiences, or label a route as dreadful or miserable because the challenge is beyond a ‘modern’ all-easy-ride-able expectation of some. Hike-a-bike was and always will be a part of mountain biking on real terrain – get out more, come prepared and embrace it, use an appropriate tool for the job.

As Mike Curiak used to say when establishing Divide racing, which has set a new benchmark of capability. 'Please don’t belittle or try to bring the race down to your level, step up to the level of the race’.

Best of luck and enjoy your experiences on these routes

mountainbaker wrote:Thanks for the write-up Ian. It sounds like a dreadful route. From what I've read elsewhere it misses some of the better riding in the Lakes and goes over passes just for the sake of it (having to hike-a-bike back down the other side). Maybe someone should plan a better route. Who says it has to stay the same if it's not great.

I've not ridden much in the Lakes, so can't comment. Not sure it warrents a re-route. It is what it is. You could do an easier route, but you won't get the Lakeland 200 "badge". I re-read my write-up, and it does transmit a somewhat negative view of the route, which in hindsight isn't representative of the whole thing (see additional comment below). There were more fun bits than I've made reference to (Coniston to Seathwaite being another substantial section of great riding).

Speaking up on behalf of Alan from an email we had earlier in the week, and seeing as he doesn't post here I hope he won't mind me quoting his comment:

It's meant to be a hard 2 day route! With gears and an overnight stay at Honister YHA it would be great fun from Staveley.

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stevew wrote:The idea to connect all the Lakeland Classics into one single loop, ridden in one go around England’s most beautiful National Park, I see as a courageous one. It is unfair to criticise, whinge about experiences, or label a route as dreadful or miserable because the challenge is beyond a ‘modern’ all-easy-ride-able expectation of some. Hike-a-bike was and always will be a part of mountain biking on real terrain – get out more, come prepared and embrace it, use an appropriate tool for the job.

Steve, not sure your comment above is aimed at me or just generally, but in writing up my Lakeland 200 completion, I'm attempting to convey what I experienced in the process. That might come across to some as whinging, but it's a tough route and in it are periods of suffering. I think it's fair to convey these as they were perceived at the time. If I didn't, it might create the impression that the route is easier than it is. I'll put my hand up and say it was a lot tougher than I expected, for which I've added a caveat in the article that some of this was down to my own equipment and start point choices. No doubt I've come out stronger from the experience, so it's all good

Irrespective of the above, I'd added small paragraph to my original article to clarify the use of one particular word:

I would like to clarify my use of the word "preposterous". This should not be construed in the negative. It is not to say the route is invalid or unsuitable in any way. It is supposed to be a tough route. Preparation for this route, attempted as a single loop, rather than the original two-day challenge that was Alan's intention, should be meticulous and thorough beyond any you would normally do for a challenging UK "day" ride. The route itself will provide a test of mental and physical endurance above any other route of this distance in the UK. Its completion therefore provides a high reward of personal achievement and is, without doubt, my biggest accomplishment this year.

I didn't mean to label it 'dreadful' I just meant that Ian's experience sounded so. Maybe too strong a word really. it just sounds bloody hard. And I get Ian's point about getting the Lakeland 200 'badge', this is true of many things us lot ride, and it probably is something I will attempt at some point too, next summer, though I'm not sure it's appropriate prep for TD, but then I guess anything will help, going on Andy's experiences of snowy passes and avalanche debris this year. Hmm. Now I'm thinking about doing it. Maybe in May. There's a nice looking bothy just off Honister pass too.

I think Steve made a good point about people expecting everything to be rideable these days. Trail centres have spoilt people. They need bigger, gnarlier bikes, but expect to be able to ride up and down everything, nature has different ideas, and at the end of the day, us lot on here seem to prefer nature to sanitised trail centres.

Ian, your account is a valuable addition to the info available for this route. I wish I had it when I first attempted it. When I researched I found lots of write ups of people doing it over three days. I struggled to find any going for the sub 40 hour. It is really important for routes that involve mountainous areas that people know what they are getting into. I had done 200km routes prior to the LL200 and without any other info assumed it to be similar in nature. I took account of ascent and other factors like refuelling. But you can't know how much of a deal the non riding sections are until you have done them.

I think it is fair to state in a blog that you don't enjoy a route (not saying you didn't). I'm happy to say I hated doing it. I cursed the route the whole way around because I didn't understand until further research that it isn't meant for site seeing. If I had known its original intent and its nature I would have approached it differently from a mental point of view. You write up and this thread will hopefully allow future riders to choose it for the right reasons and celebrate it for being a nails test and preparation for bigger things.

Maybe AG would consider a page of links on this site to write ups for this reason?

I think the header from the forthcoming newsletter goes a little way to summing it up

Don't we enjoy these rides because they are bloody hard?

If they weren't a challenge then anyone could do them, and it is the difficult bits that forge the difference between those who ride these routes and those who think Xbox games are tough. There are many rides I haven't enjoyed, but I do remember them, and there are many rides that have been great in part and horrible in others, only a few have been great all through!

I think with the LL200 the start point makes a difference. Staveley is good as it's a gentle lead in, scenic, close to the M6!, and means that the hard bits are most likely done in daylight and after a few (or quite a few) hours riding so the legs are tuned in, progress has been made, and the end (of the day or the whole route) is visible.

However, I am not liking the look of the next newsletter, especially if this is an indication of things to come with the BB200. Stu - you need to make this one all rideable, flowing singletrack with some techy bits and no bogs. And while you're out there planning, try to get more downhills than ups!

The lakes is a great place to learn technical riding - after dragging / swearing your bike up a massive climb to then face the prospect of dragging it back down again, the resulting raging temper tends to make you try stuff you otherwise wouldn't. Well it did for me back in the late '80's!

Summit of helvelyn, 1989.

To add some balance I enjoyed my tour of this route over 2 1/2 days. I plan to try it again next year at a faster pace so may change my opinion of it then! I like the fact that the route takes in all aspects of Lakes riding and is fairly much a circular route.

Black Sail and Scarth Gap are a major frustration, mainly for the fact that the descents are a lot more rideable in the opposite direction. I have thought about reversing the route but guess this would throw up other frustrations.

Maybe someone could try a CW/ CCW double

I think it was a great write up Ian, i can see how hard the LL200 would be, especially in the time you completed it & SS too!

Peoples experience of the hike-a-bike sections are all too familiar to me though, if anyone hasn't had experience of this sort of thing it almost always comes as a shock. It's not something i do all the time, but i have come to 'embrace' the carry, Stu's 'Exploring the boundaries of pleasure' pretty much hits the nail on the head, it's all about pushing ourselves that bit further than we're comfortable with sometimes. That said, it's definitely not for everyone & out of the many riders i know, there's only a handful i'd ever ask to come along on something with a tough h-a-b..

I've pretty much ridden all the areas of the LL200 so know that attempting the full route at 40hrs & less would be tough undertaking for most of us. I think thats why i've not yet had a go at it, for me there'd not be much time to enjoy it at the pace needed for a 'fast' time..

If anyone is considering having a go, but not ridden much hike-a-bike, or in the Lakes in general, i'd seriously recommend trying some Lakes routes that include h-a-b, but in more bite-sized chunks. The four passes route would be ideal: Honister-Warnscale-Scarth Gap-Blacksail-Sty Head, maybe even add this onto the Borrowdale Bash for some extra miles. Also the Helvellyn- Sticks Pass, Dollywagon Pike area & Nan Bield- Gatesgarth..

Mountainbaker- The bothy's near Honister would need quite a diversion. You'd be looking at a big h-a-b up Warnscale Pass-

Warnscale Pass from Buttermere-
CIMG2204 by wotsit_legs, on Flickr

Or, Honister (road), then head back through the quarry buildings & h-a-b back up (follow the footpath & the old tramway instead of the bridleway).
The first one you come to is Dubs Hut-
CIMG2199 by wotsit_legs, on Flickr
CIMG2200 by wotsit_legs, on Flickr
I might be wrong, but the mba might have done some work on this 'recently'. When i took this pic it smelt a bit like an old (pissy) phonebox though..

Warnscale Head bothy is a bit further down the gill (not got any pics)..

If you're not strictly following the ITT format, Blacksail YHA would be a good place to stay-
CIMG2210 by wotsit_legs, on Flickr