The worse thing is you’l be in Cumbria. The place is fine, it’s the people that are the problem.

And HK smarts a bit. What you need is a fixie.

went up it without realising I wasn’t in lowest gear

I’d hope not on the MTB, there shouldn’t be a road climb that necessetates the use of your lowest gear!

As has been observed road gearing is far far far taller than an MTB. Big/big on the MTB (assuming 44/34) is easier than a compact with an 11-25. Go back and do it in the big ring, that’s more of an achievement, and still easier than many road bikes!

Had a shottie at it a couple of months ago. I had no luggage and used a light mtb with slicks. Visibility was nil. I was disappointed to find a cairn beside the road and realised I was at the top. I’m just a commuter and not that fit. Biggest problem was keeping the front wheel down. I found Corgarff in the highlands harder (but my gears were higher then). Loved going down the other side and Wrynose is quite a bit easier, went up it without realising I wasn’t in lowest gear.

Awesome effort. Even I had to use the lowest gear when I drove up it in my car!

Go back and do it in the big ring, that’s more of an achievement, and still easier than many road bikes!

Fair point 🙂 If I can reduce the gut by 20lbs I might do that… But I like pies too much!