alexxx - Memberis he hell, he's got too much travel and it looks hump! its well smooth down there, certainly aint no garburn or wrynoes, I was all excited about going there to ride this till I saw that video
Not ridden wrynose but have ridden Jacob's ladder and garburn, Jacob's is far hard as both climb and descent - I've ridden up most of garburn but gat less than 10 yards last time I tried Jacob's (and ripped my mech off nearer the top, so I'm reluctant to try it again! )
Bloody ell. I haven't got a chance in hell of riding up Gaburn the descent-side.
hora - MemberBloody ell. I haven't got a chance in hell of riding up Gaburn the descent-side.
tell us something we don;t know 
I think NBT means riding up the Troutbeck side...
Problem with the video and photos is it flattens it all out. Jacobs is very rocky, very loose and the top part of packed stone steps is at least 25-35% gradient.
The climb can be broken down into 3. Bridge to RH hairpin is very loose baby head rocks, almost impossible to get going again if you stop. Hairpin bend to gate is the easiest bit, it's a lot smoother, more dirt than rock. Gate to summit starts off with a bitch of a climb but there's an "easy" line up one side, still very steep but at least it's smoothish. The track then levels out, just a shale stone surface and anyone can spin along that. Then it kicks up sharphly, the surface getting rockier but much more packed and steppy with a couple of steep bends and then right near the top a couple of hop-ups.
No one part is impossible but stringing the whole thing together into one continuous dab-free climb is one for seasoned Elite riders only. Makes a great challenge though, seeing how far you get, competing with your mates as to who can do which bit etc.
I've NEVER met any angry walkers on Jacobs- Why? Almost all have been vocal in support.
I think when the conditions are right and you're in tip-top fitness with honed skills (and blessed with a great deal of luck) it can be done.
The conditions under wheel vary so much though and can make it impossible.
I remember riding most of it back in the '90s, but last time I tried (2008) I never came even remotely close to cleaning it.
crazy-legs - MemberI think NBT means riding up the Troutbeck side...
No, I meant from Kentmere. I haven;t ridden all of it, and it's been in sections with breathers (i'm not a riding god) but I've ridden a damn sight more of the garburn pass than jacob's ladder
Anyone got pics of the hardest bits?
Respect to anybody that can climb the ladder. I found it hard enough coming down, came off twice!
Every walker I've ever met on t'Ladder (going down, mind!) has been friendly and chatty, if a little incredulous ("you're going to ride down it? On a bike?"). Some have even cheered as I minced down the steppy bit at the top.
Hmmm think we should have a meet up at some stage - those who want to ride up and those who want to ride down 
I'd like to have a punt at it!
I remember that mag article, Martyn Brookes is a very good rider, not only strong, but good technically too, I reckon he's a very likely person to have succeeded. I know I wouldn't have chosen an alu hardtail to try it though!
I feel like having a go at this now.
EDIT: njee, didn't you say you'd not ridden much outside the SE?
i want to ride up it and down... all in one go 
is it that hellish steep.....
I've got the steps at the top, but by then I'm seriously red lined. One look at those, and that's pretty much it for me. Any one that can get up those is seriously talented and fit.
EDIT: njee, didn't you say you'd not ridden much outside the SE?
Sort of, I've done most of the Welsh trail centres, and raced all over the country, but I've not actually done much normal riding, Drumlanrig and Dunkeld are the only places in Scotland I've ridden! Never been to the Peaks either, and Grizedale is my only Lakes experience!
i dont think i would like to ride up it as it would mean getting off the bike here and there in places but id defo have ago at that going down
Well then you definitely should get up to the Peaks You have to do at least a few big hill/mountain rides... And those kinds of rocky climbs are a great challenge.
Well whether we get round to organising something or not you must come back to this post to report your efforts
Jacobs is certainly harder than Garburn. It's only the top rocky part I cannot do on Garburn (Kentmere side) yet I've got nowhere near clearing Jacobs. I always mess up the first bit, even though it's quite possible. The second part, up to the gate relatively easy and then it kicks up which is a killer when your lungs are inside out but it's still do able. It's the steep part after that which I just cannot imagine getting anywhere close to cleaning. Even with the flat bit before hand which gives you a good breather.
As for the person that mentioned a race on Bridleways is illegal, you are right. But who needs to time such an event? The challenge is to get to the top, or at least as far as possible, and thus I believe such an event might be considered legal?
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