CRF1100 | TACKLING THE MIGHTY HARDKNOTT PASS

What's all the hype with this pass?? Well you need to ride it to find out...
Massive thanks to the following channels.
/ @theusualsuspect
/ @patrickrosielle3805
/ @butcher5829
/ @rhegedrideouts
/ @georgiedoeslife
/ @bernardridesagain5722
#crf1100 #africatwin #hardknottpass
Equipment
Gopro Hero 8 Black on Helmet
Gopro Hero 5 Black on bars
Gopro Hero 7 White on front
Microphone Hama Notebook Micro
Music
ES_Weather any storm - Cody Francis
ES_Excelsior - River Foxcroft
ES_A Gentle Invitation - Dawn, Dawn, Dawn
Social
/ lochwoodmotovlogs
/ lochwood_
/ lochwood92

[@THEDOGHOUSECUSTOMMOTORCYCLES]

Done this road a couple of years ago on a S1000R in the pouring rain, a lot of the road was like riding through a river, correct gear changes and clutch control and its not that bad at all.

[@Lochwood92]

Correct gear change is key and yeh it wasn't that bad. Quite antimidating for the novice rider. Thanks for watching 👍

[@davew9360]

@@Lochwood92Just my opinion but this certainly is not a route for a novice rider . I have watched quite a few videos of going over there as I am quite local and have been over many times . I have said it before and will repeat that again here , you must be competent at general bike control and be confident in your ability as well as being used to how your bike performs and how to get the best from it . Anything less and you are looking for trouble on these routes .

[@davew9360]

@@Lochwood92Just finished watching your video , you looked fine and well capable unlike some of the videos you showed at the start . Well done .

[@rogerramjet5302]

I've done the route over the years on Tuonos and Milles - moved onto a GS now and as you say, correct gears, a bit of engine braking and grit look-outs and it's real fun. I have been over a few times in a car as well which is not so much fun especially with the queues.

[@Jfbm3891]

The trick to anything like this is not changing gear in or near the turn, select it early, keep momentum and keep your eyes going up the road and not looking at the apex!

[@NiNjArBaDgEr]

School boy errors with all these crashes/drops. Many of these bends are 1st gear turns. You have rev range. Use it! Everyone potters around ticking over and as soon as the gradient changes it catches people out 👍🏻

[@Jim-nm1en]

And then you get geriatric car drivers coming downhill who wont pull over to one side to let you get past, not ideal when you have short legs and are on an adverse camber. I ended up on my arse with my bike practically upside down and the f***ing old barsteward didn't even stop.

[@thinkingoutofthebox.9421]

Did it Yesterday in my automatic Ford Transit custom hightop campervan, wasn't easy, have to keep speed up, and don't stop.

[@charlesdouglas2877]

I drove up this road in a 520D a few years ago by mistake and it was the first time ever I was worried

[@rodnelson8110]

Anybody who cannot ride that road should not be riding a bike, i have done it 3 times , first time on a 30 year old Honda cx500 then a renault clio and a peugeot 2008

[@kozajro]

I have seen people on goldwings and harleys over there. Nothing scary if you can ride. Ive done it on zz1400 few times. Keep your speed and ride.

[@Lochwood92]

Yes agreed, I found it was fine but some people are either in wrong gear or let it go to their head.

[@grahamambridge2856]

Buses go up the pass....hardly extreme .🙄...especially if you got the slightest bit of balance and clutch control...

[@Banditmanuk]

A great collection of fails at the start. Beautiful day when you did it. We've been stranded there a couple of hours when the air ambulance landed on the road. Unfortunately a Triumph Tiger had gone over the edge mid way up! Think it's a road to enjoy the scenery and to tick off the list of roads ridden. (It's also worth stopping off at the Roman Fort there)

[@Lochwood92]

Thanks buddy.. That sounds traumatic with the triumph. Jeez. Yeh it is a stunning pass and I just ran out of time to stop at the Fort but I will be back with others. ,👍

[@eamonnpotts5063]

Please may I suggest stabilisers!

[@jonm7272]

Amazing how much drama KZbinrs invest in a bit of a hill, it's really not that difficult and you are riding a bike that was literally designed for roads like this. The muppet who fell off in the opening scene was dangerously incompetent (use your clutch man).

[@Lochwood92]

Yes I must admit everyone loves a drama.. I did find it quite easy and yes the AT was made for this.. Thanks for your comments buddy 👍

[@stephenwilliams6103]

I had rode the Hard Knott pass a couple of years ago on a suzuki gsxs1000f, I had no problems at all taking the challenge on. Just got to concentrate & keep control of engine revs & be in the correct gear🤔😏🇬🇧🇬🇧

[@davidedge4557]

You have nothing to fear but fear itself. Franklin D Roosevelt....some of the problem here is media types hyping this up for their own gain i.e. monetary or KZbin clicks etc. A lot of bikers then approach it with trepidation, expecting to fall. The Pass will eat you if you approach with the wrong attitude. Some level of skill and efficiency is needed, granted, but it is easier without the instilled fear.

[@ziondanny7081]

What's the fuss? Done it many times. If you fall on this you really should reconsider your riding skills - or lack of them.

[@salvaquest2123]

🤷‍♂️ your on a motorcycle .. so just select the correct gear & roll on the throttle 👍 now if you were cycling I’d agree it is a challenge! Having been there & cycled it🚴.. much like “Bealach Na ba” tough but achievable…. these days however there are so many so called influencers with GoPro cameras strapped to their helmets desperate to get the footage they believe will propel themselves on to internet stardom! they loose sight of the basic principles of riding if of course they were ever there in the first place 😉

[@keithscott1480]

Better views fae the BEALACH NA BAH IN APPLECROSS 😅

[@rogerhampton2844]

A bit shocked to be honest. My friend and I did it in a hire car a couple of years ago she was driving and we had no issues or drama at all? Am I missing something?

[@yamman56]

I done Hardknott Pass in May 2022 on a Kawasaki Versys 650cc GT with my Daughter on the back. We rode in the direction of your second run. 🏍👍

[@Lochwood92]

Cheers bud 👍

[@felixcomms]

A big 👍for doing it both ways and then it doesn't matter what anyone says about the harder direction.

[@paulwatts1704]

Back in the early 80's I used to drive this road quite often in my 1.2l Vauxhall Viva with unassisted 4 wheel drum brakes - by the time I got to the bottom there were no brakes and only gears left to slow down.. Great fun.

[@ritchardwilliams3874]

I did this when at university in the 80's. In a Hillman Minx 1725cc reg EJT72D (can't remember a car number plate since then - it was my first car). No other vehicles around. The drum brakes were smoking and frankly I was a bit scared not having much experience of driving. A real memory.

[@whitedrguy6503]

I rode the passes 2 months ago on my DR 650 that I shipped over from Australia, also later done Applecross, and to be honest they were not that difficult they were fun, would have been even more fun if they were dirt like some of the roads here in OZ.

[@gclarke180]

Nothing to it much worse in Norway

[@Team-fabulous]

The Applecross pass in Scotland isnt as challenging but the views are much better.....

[@Paul-zz1cr]

Ok if you a competent rider .

[@Furnessvale1]

In 1968 I rode Wrynose and Hardknott passes on a BSA DBD34 Gold Star with an RRT2 box and a 23 tooth engine sprocket. Slipping the clutch in bottom gear to 20mph. At the summit the chaincase was belching smoke. I always had a spare clutch on the shelf at home ready to do an exchange when I got home!

[@TurnersTriumphTigers]

Last year I did the Chimney Bank (North Yorkshire Moors) and Hardknott pass in the same day. Both are clammed to be the steepest roads in England. Chimney bank is about 33% gradient. I will be doing both again this year with a wild camp at the end.

[@Lochwood92]

Need to try this Chimney Bank you speak of.. 🤔 Great fun running these passes. Thanks for watching and commenting, buddy. 👍

[@RichO1701e]

@@Lochwood92 it's very short, 500yards at most, just make it part of a day trip to the North York Moors area

[@CraigNiel]

@@Lochwood92 I live not far from Chimney Bank done it lots of times, it's not really worth it to be honest. There's a camp site nearby (Rosedale) that's a decent little site if you ever need to camp over that way. p.s. Done Hardknott quite a few times never thought it was that difficult to be honest but the views were good. Best one was when we were going over to Piel Island to camp and there was about 30 bikes riding through the Lakes towards the island and watching 30 odd bikes all go over Hardknott was quite good.

[@SkullNoir]

I did it way back when on a 125cc and didn't think it was a tricky road. Only thing that made it difficult was the two way traffic and at 5:22 the SUV in front of me decided to stop to get out and take pictures, I only used the front brake and ended up skidding down to the dry wall.

[@patmills9341]

No idea who these people are riding these bikes but they really need to consider if they should be riding bikes at all as most of the reasons for failure seem to be wrong gear, inability to feather clutch/throttle control or target fixation.. I am no bike trainer but a day session with a good trainer would resolve most of these issues

[@Lochwood92]

Well said 👍

[@delhowell4416]

I also went up it on a space hopper in my pyjamas with my imaginary pet pig called Benny Garcia , I was only 7 it was great.🐖🐖🐖

[@Lochwood92]

😂😂😂

[@chrislaunders8283]

All I can say is you're either taking the mickey or a rubbish rider, I've been over the pass several times on a 1340 Harley, a 900 Ducati and a rigid 650 Triumph chop with 30" over springers all at least twice, two up and not had the slightest problem.

[@Lochwood92]

TBH I had no issues either and can't wait to do it again..There are loads of riders who do have issues or are too scared to try it but it wasn't as bad as I thought.. everyone likes a bit of drama 😃

[@nickjsanderson]

Did this last Sunday - with a group. Was not expecting it to be the most terrifying ride ever! I was on a K3 GSXR600 - not ideal! We did south-north, but then a van was stuck on the hairpin going down the other side so we had to turn back just as the heavens opened and made visibility almost zero. I was so glad to get back to base and dry off in the Three Shires Inn. You made it look easy. Loved the music and suspense at the start, made all my stress seem worth it - and the guys falling off - well made me feel mighty proud of myself. Cheers :)

[@tojj29]

Nicely ridden Sir! Now isn't that cheating, doing it on an automatic that you can't stall on them bends? 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 I've never ridden it, and don't think I'd better at the moment, I drop it on the flat! 😂 😂 Is it steeper than it looks on the camera Rob? Great scenery

[@Lochwood92]

Haha.. yeh the dct won't let me down . Hairpins on 30% inclines are an eye opener.. defo one for the bucket list nige 👍

[@FERNweh101]

Learn to control your vehicle. There are folk who commute this!!!

[@Lochwood92]

Well said 👍

[@edwardwest5035]

It is not challenging nor difficult. It's a tarmac road over a hill.

[@Lochwood92]

I was fine with it but it seems to challenge some. 👍

[@tedthesailor172]

I think maybe you need to fit stabilisers...

[@Lochwood92]

😂😂😂

[@wgj4813]

I did Hardknott about 1960 Dad was driving. There was a little queue at the bottom and we took our turn to do the hairpins so watched wheel spin and rubber smoking on the corners. Our Austin A40 sports went up no problem even if it was just 1200cc. I have looked for for more challenging tarmac strips all my life. I found one in Wales. Not quite as dramatic nor as many hairpins but it was so tight and steep i had to stop and reverse to get round!!!!? Yes i did it a couple of times up and down to prove the bend was too sharp for the lock of my front wheels. No i am not telling where i found this road.

[@JVonk]

Oooooh, I am jealous! I live in a country which is as flat as how we pronounce English words, yep, that's The Netherlands :) But absolutely beautiful! I wish it was a bit closer to my home :)

[@Lochwood92]

You have a beautiful country and lots of windmills plus you got Amsterdam 😀

[@sagalout]

If you think it’s tough on a motorbike you should try cycling it 😅 I’ve done it a few times - easiest bike was a Royal Enfield Himalayan- just enough power to chug up in first

[@clivechandler8817]

Yes I think if some road resurfacing was done more often than every 50 years wouldn't go a miss

[@freddiecampbell]

You crept up a small road on a motorbike in fine weather and disk brakes? All that build up! If you had come down on a skateboard ... that would have been adventurous. I'd stick to motorways if you thought that was challenging, and whatever you do, do not ride in the Alps.

[@ridefast0]

Took my family over in a powerful automatic 4WD Audi, I love bikes but not for this road! Especially when wet/slippy.

[@cjexpatuk]

Great video, some really beautiful footage. Rode the pass just last week east - west on my Bonneville T120 (with my pal on his 1969 Daytona!) - as others have said, it’s no sweat if you concentrate and control your gears properly. That said, it was dry and sunny for us - not sure I’d want to try it in heavy rain let alone snow or ice !!

[@BeautifulNorthWales-en3lx]

Pah! Typical day out for me in Wales, that. It's what people are used to. It's a *lot* different to usual riding, that much I'll grant you.

[@gudlad61]

Did it recently on my ST1300 Pan European. Got over the pass no problem only to drop my bike as I pulled up on an adverse camber on the other side 😂😂

[@ZZR14988]

It's amazing how people see this as hard falling off. worried about making it. My mother did this back in the 80s on a 125MZ my dad on 250MZ with me and sister on the back. I've done it before 600 bandit with my missus on back it was nothing to it.

[@David-xl9cp]

That does look horrendous, negative cambers, ruts, pothole, steep corners, wet and very narrow.☠️

[@mikegreen6113]

That’s one good thing about a DCT gearbox, never in the wrong gear and impossible to stall, you can still fall off though of course. Now sold my Honda 750DCT and got a Tracer 7 GT, it has gears so will probably stall it and fall off going up there!😂

[@jhstony]

It’s just about clutch control and the correct gear, try riding through Spain and Portugal. That’s miles of riding these types of roads all day long.

[@Gijserklh]

Its not this bad. Its not that difficult on a crf, i did this on my crf 1000 without a problem. I cam imagine that it would be more difficult on a chopper or a heavy bike.

[@mikebaxter5819]

Congratulations mate! You rode a motorcycle, on a road, up a hill. 👏

[@kirkyslifestuff4184]

As easy a shelling peas 🫛 😋

[@Lochwood92]

Not that bad really..😁

[@frankaldous4053]

Done this on on Yamaha XT500 and BMW 1000RS two up… no problem at all..

[@althescottishbiker]

Great video. Your intro and music choice built the suspense nicely! I need to ride that pass sometime. Ride safe.

[@Lochwood92]

Thanks buddy.. Music definitely adds to the drama.

[@Jim-nm1en]

You have to watch for geriatric car drivers coming down the way on steep sections who fail to move over to one side enough for you to squeeze past on a section with a steep camber, you are forced to stop. When you put your left foot down to hold the bike up , you suddenly find the ground is another 3 - 4 inches further down. and over you go on your arse . 🤬🤬🤬🤬

[@patrickrosielle3805]

The first clip you used is me, fact was that i was with a passenger and three full trunks on the back of my bike. Just you on an empty bike, two fingers in the nose... Try it as i did and then post it.

[@mick-c4k]

All of the falls they was clearly in a higher gear then was necessary. This road in simple 1st and 2nd gear only. Its not a hard road to ride. Go at the right time and its fine

[@JohnBurnet1]

It's a tough one, I've done it a few times both on a GSXR and a GS 😁much easier on the GS. Great video you got my sub 👍

[@IanFrost-l2z]

Worry when your doing it in think fog in a series 2 landy with failing brakes , like I did years ago

[@hareti79]

😂 challenging road. It's sealed tarmac that cars drive up?

[@DarrenStarr]

Make none of those KZbinrs links work in your description

[@trevorprauschke3372]

fake , their was a car 30 yards ahead at the summit then nothing ahead was it a ghost car

[@mrthomas394]

Done this on a vfr800 with pilion.... 😵‍💫

[@casadelmoro]

Amazing scenery. The first pass you do in this video is Wrynose. The second (starting at about 8:45) is Hardknott Pass.

[@cyclerecon3750]

No it's Hardknott twice. East to West then turns round and goes East to West. Never gets as far East to go over Wrynose.

[@seamusmurphy3159]

Try it on a 60 year old lambretta easy and a great laugh if there's loads of you.

[@DaveBoothroyd-ej5in]

What a beautiful morning, best time of day to do it, almost no traffic. Well done.

[@PeterSmith-kl3wl]

Went up on a Mz 250 years ago,uneventful,🤔

[@somyrab]

You’ve got an engine what’s the problem?

[@ThePonkster]

Whats all this adventuring on an adventure bike? - looked like a great ride and not stuck behind one campervan 😆

[@Lochwood92]

Yeh I am loving it but I need a naked in my life when I'm not adventuring.. 🤣

[@jeffknott1975]

I didn't even know they named a road after me! I'm a hard Knott 😏

[@ANDREWLewis-p9j]

Did this twice in my trusty landrover 😅

[@thedroningoflife]

Try honister pass , only drove in a car though

[@pa.laubel3696]

Did Porlock Hill on a bike. Bit nerverackin!

[@cjexpatuk]

Great video, some really beautiful footage. Rode the pass just last week east - west on my Bonneville T120 (with my pal on his 1969 Daytona!) - as others have said, it’s no sweat if you concentrate and control your gears properly. That said, it was dry and sunny for us - not sure I’d want to try it in heavy rain let alone snow or ice !!

[@Lochwood92]

Thanks for your comments buddy 👍

[@paulelletson99]

I went gate to gate over the pass in five minutes in a mini

[@TheTimutube]

Think your just not strong enough.sorry

[@Rosscoreiver]

Cycled that road a couple of times

[@freddiecampbell]

I drove it a few times in a Citroen 2CV. Going over it on a motorbike is hardly worth commenting on is it?

[@lorddaver5729]

What is all the fuss about this road? Have you ever tried The Pass of the Cattle (Bealach - na - bs) at Applecross in Wester Ross, Scotland? Much scarier and, at over 2,000 feet, much higher.

[@jasonfuller9797]

Hi all. Did this last weekend. It is definitely challenging, especially as my first jaunt out after passing my DAS a couple of weeks before. A lot of firsts for me, first on motorway from London. First on all the passes in Cumbria. Did the knot both ways,and the videos don't do it justice. I dropped the bike on the third try as was in second. Definitely going to do this again

[@Lochwood92]

Nice one buddy.

[@pujapete3665]

very easy on a honda grom...both ways

[@shaun2049]

Do you like your bike is good to handle

[@clivechandler8817]

I'm quite sure it could be widened.

[@thedroningoflife]

Is it possible on a 125 scooter?

[@Daniel_Addy]

Try it without an engine in your bike

[@walkerhjk]

I rode Hardknott and Wrynose both ways quite a lot in the mid 1950s mostly on a 1955 Ariel Huntmaster 650cc' I don't see what all the drama is. Keep your revs up watch yoyr line and use the gears and clutch. You need a torquey engine to make it easier. There wasn't so much traffic then which made it easier

[@Lochwood92]

it was actually quite easy just concentrate. Dont fancy it in the wet mind

[@dat8r1]

in this kind of dirty road , " light is right " . I would ride with CB500F or Hornet 750 .. No matter you have big bike and heavy powerfull one

[@Lochwood92]

Heavy is definetly the word.. Great when moving. Thanks bud 👍

[@glennmaxfield6618]

Someone can't ride a bike.

[@martinkeen2502]

I am no Charley Boorman, but I road this a good 20 years ago fully loaded GSA with a pillion, on a trip from Hampshire to the Isle of Sky Sorry its not that difficult or is the road to Applecross which I forget it's name. Just do it

[@Lochwood92]

Bealach na Bà yeh both good roads.

[@asoundperson888]

Last summer i took my family to the district and not paid enough attention to the signalling of the steepness of the road (direction towards boot). A fiat doblo 1.4 petrol loaded with 4 adults and full boot. I was shitting myself honestly. Probably will want to go back ok two wheels on my own though.

[@Lochwood92]

Dont think i would ever try it on 4 wheels 😂

[@davids_model_flying]

Really don't know what all the fuss is about, did this on a Lambretta GP200 in 1972 and a Suzuki GT380 in 1975, really not that difficult.

[@Lochwood92]

Agreed. Sometimes the thought of it gets to people i think but not that bad

[@gthedrum]

To be fair, you made this look easier than the article I just read about it described. Well done. 👍🏼

[@Lochwood92]

Easier than I thought. So glad I did it. Thanks 👍

[@johnweaire3389]

Try that on a push bike !

[@LordBilious]

I've done the Hardknott (and Wrynose) both ways on my old CBR1100XX, it's not that bad to ride. You definitely had the right sunlighting for the view on the way back over!

[@Lochwood92]

Yeh the sunlight was spot on that day.. Just blew me away

[@spikeon2wheels586]

2 weeks to go and im cycling that!!

[@LordBilious]

@@spikeon2wheels586 rather you than me! I'll stick with motorised bicycles.

[@spikeon2wheels586]

@@LordBilious that’s just the start of the ride too - riding to Whitby!!

[@stewillo86]

I live 15 minutes away from here, regularly ride and drive it. Its amazing how many incompetent people get stuck in cars and vans on this road. I've had to leave my car several times to get other people to the top.

[@Lochwood92]

I can believe it. Some numpties in your area 😂

[@MerciaMoto]

Superb video! You’ve really captured the trepidation experienced when riding the pass. When we did it a few years back my mate came a cropper in front of me due to the adverse camber on the way up (couldn’t get his foot down) the hairpins coming down weren’t to bad. Came across your channel from Peaky Bikers Live last night. Looking forward to catching up with all of your videos 👍🏻

[@Lochwood92]

Hey mate.. Nightmare, I cant imagine someone falling in front of me.. it can be quite deceiving the accent and catch people out. Thanks for the sub and hope you enjoy the channel. Sub'd you back and checking out your stuff. Thanks again 👍

[@MerciaMoto]

@@Lochwood92 yeah bit of a nightmare when he went down as I didn’t really have anywhere to pull over and help him up. I was on my Honda CB1000. We laughed about it afterwards. 😁 thanks for subscribing and really keen to see where you go with the new channel idea 👍🏻

[@andypughtube]

I am a little puzzled by the trouble folk are having. The first time I ever did it I got there later than expected and it was dark and raining. And it was "interesting" I suspect that a lot of the problems in the first section is folks who haven't grown up in hilly terrain and don't realise that in a steep uphill you _have_ to use the rear brake to hold the bike from rolling back, as there is no weight on the front. I won't argue that it isn't scary though. The third time I did it my pillion was terrified. I thought she was going to snap my pelvis she was squeezing so hard. To be fair we had only met that day, as she was an American visitor who had brought her kit, but no bike. And was wearing leather chaps. And I wasn't hanging about on the old FJ1100.

[@RichO1701e]

Done it last summer on my VFR in 30 degree heat, on a SATURDAY in August, it was mental busy with plenty of idiots in cars not pulling over or parking like absolute twatts, just dumping their cars anywhere. Definitely do it mid-week outside of school holidays.

[@marauder8986]

Just use an eBike, I have brought all of my 2nd hd eBikes here to ride over from the nearby campsite. Just a doddle as long as you dont stop!

[@Lochwood92]

would love to try an ebike

[@twozup1098]

Terrifying?🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@gedrooney9305]

Try this on a steel road bike for maximum thrill and pain 👍

[@Lochwood92]

oh i can imagine. felt sorry for the folks pedalling.

[@JasonThomas-u9p]

No potholes!!

[@Paul-zz1cr]

Try it in January

[@Outdoorshuntingshooting]

Most fun I had on that road was in an MG TF 160, wife screamed most of the way.

[@Lochwood92]

😂😂😂