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Hey,
I've got an ankle problem which means i don't really enjoy walking very much. I mountain bike fine, but don't massively like hike-a-bike.
How much walking do you think i could credibly get away with not doing on the Lakeland 200? How many long, technical climbs am I looking at?
I suspect a short travel FS mtb is probably the weapon of choice to minimize walking... does anyone have any advice, or should I look elsewhere?
Minimising walking is not really an option, the passes really aren't rideable. You'll have to get off and push/carry on Black Sail, Scarth Gap, most likely a bit up from Wasdale, Harter Fell, and up from Seathwaite. Plus a bit on the top section of Walna Scar. Garburn is from the 'easy side', so you should be more or less OK there.
EDIT: Forgot that you have to get up High Street from Hartsop too, which also involves a push.
This is quite long but it's worth a watch as he gives an honest appraisal of what's involved:
I watched that video previously and made a mental note to avoid the Lakeland 200.
The main message of that, IIRC, is 'don't use Komoot to plot it'. 🙂
It sends him up a lot more unrideable stuff than is necessary - straight up random hillsides. Also, didn't he reverse the normal direction?
I did it 2 years ago over 4 days wild camping and absolutely loved it. I don't mind hike a bike mind and I had awsome weather which you absolutely need. I don't remember the pushing being that bad apart from day 3 which was very hard! All around the scafell pike bit...can't remember the names of the passes but I'm sure they have been mentioned. Basically the 15 miles or so before Buttermere is Hellish...I think I got a bit of heat stroke. But it was still awsome
OK - i think i'll do something else!
Trans Cambrian or the capital trail might be better options. I dont remember pushing much on them at all
Capital Trail!?!? No thanks.
The Lakeland 300 is a lot more rideable.
https://www.selfsupporteduk.net/lakeland300
Some pushing up grassy fells along the High Street section and some rockier pushing between Duddon and Wasdale.
Easier to shortcut if running out of time too.
Capital Trail!?!? No thanks.
Fair enough...man up and do a harder one then
The main message of that, IIRC, is ‘don’t use Komoot to plot it’. 🙂
Indeed - it shows how fallible technology is compared to pulling out a map and looking at what's there and planning with intelligence.
I think he also had a penchant for odd place name pronunciation?
Quite a bit of walking involved. Did it a few years ago my least favourite route I’ve done.
Also, didn’t he reverse the normal direction?
He goes in the right direction, but as already pointed out, he takes some serious wrong turns to push up footpaths.
It's a great route, but a tough one. Having a hard time through crap navigation, carrying too much or lack of fitness doesn't make it a poor route.
I think he also had a penchant for odd place name pronunciation?
Yes - his 'Kess-wick' made me laugh!
And yes some of his route choices were just bizarre...
I've done a lot of hike a bike on the classic Lakeland passes, but just pushing up random muddy hillsides seems a bit pointless.
Yd300, cairngorm 300 loop, or capital trail although you've said no to that.
All have a higher % ride ratio than the lakeland 200.