Hardknott pass fail on motorbikes. The last time on my Ducati Multistrada too.

[@RichardASK]

About 32 years ago I took our RAC Norton Commander Showbike to do some filming, for the RAC's New Knights of the Road advertising Campaign, on the nearby Wrynose Pass and after the Film crew had finished with me, I went on down to the bottom and then up and over the Hardknott Pass and back again. Yes it was steep and on a big heavy Norton full of RAC Breakdown kit it was tough, but I've been on worse in the Alps with a GSX1100 ESD, two up and with 2 weeks camping kit. Most steep roads are down to confidence in what you and the bike are capable of but don't be over confident. Now at 73, I still want to go back again on my MT10.

[@mykheaton]

Class, It'd be a different world on your MT10. :)

[@MickeyMouse-ul2zs]

In 1980 did that road on a Ducati Darmah SS, with a passenger (now my wife) in an absolute downpour.....we were the only vehicle on the road and the water on some of the bends was quite literally running like rivers. The steering lock was so poor that I had to spin-up the rear wheel to get the bike turned on the tighter bends. Not nice when the road was so wet! We made it OK and after some tea and cake the ride back in the sunshine was great.

[@mykheaton]

Blimey, you must be laughing your head off when you see people struggling on modern bikes...

[@briancooper562]

The problem with this crash site is that the road surface faces into the sun in the middle of the day and it 'over heats' the surface making it slick when wet and combined with gradient and the sharp turns. Use to be used in the RAC rally before it was fully surfaced. 1958 and 1959 both passes where timed at 30 mph. Try that on a week day without traffic, but still with sheep and cattle. Be good to add to the ACU national rally without the timing.

[@mykheaton]

That's definately the problem with this road, plus all the cars on it...

[@stefanmaslaczyk1259]

It’s much more fun on a smaller bike. 125’s gobble it up. A 350 Enfield would be just about perfect for it too.

[@mykheaton]

Any bike is fun on there I reckon...

[@dannikerr5284]

Easy fun on a 125 - drove over in a Ford Galaxy - now that was very hairy 😮😊

[@mykheaton]

I'd really rather not do it in any car to be honest, A 125 sounds like a blast though, I fancy doing the NC500 on one too...

[@thakery5720]

I never bothered with the Hardknott because of the amount of traffic (cars) coming the other way that were not being observant of the old 'traffic coming downhill gives wat to that coming uphill' common sense rule of sensible driving with respect for others..... I saw a young lass do ithe pass one day and turn back to do it again as it was so much fun - her friends on sportsbikes wouldn't follow her back as they said it was too dangerous.... she was still a learner as well..... I have however done the Wrynose a good few times and the Bealach Na Ba pass near Applecross in Scotland on my Harleys when heavily laden with camping gear. On one such occassion I was passed by a cople of sportsbikes riding like they owned the road but it is not my place to tell others how to drive or ride so.... About five miles later on, one of the sportsbikes was parked at the side of the road with two riders by it, one of whom was looking a bit sheepish. I slowed to a stop and asked if they were OK to which I got the reply that one of them lost control of his bike and decided it was a good idea to jump off the bike as it left the road. I asked where the bike was and was told it was down the side of the mountain - about two hundred foot down to be precise ! They had mobile phones and were getting a signal apparently so I wished them luck as I pottered off down the road having a bit of a chuckle to myself ! Moral to the stories ? - you can have the best most up-to-date bike in the world but if your riding skills and judgement are not upto the challenge of roads like the one in this video, then be prepared to be humiliated !

[@mykheaton]

Oh you should give it a go because like you say, anyone can do it, even learners and sports bike riders. I've never had bother with traffic at all even on weekends and if you don't go somewhere just because other road users don't follow your rules you'll miss out. I just wait in a passing area but more often than not we get waved on. Go for it ;)

[@thakery5720]

@@mykheaton They are not my rules but common sense 'rules of curtesy', and not all car drivers are like it I agree - it is normally just holiday makers who are sightseeing. I live down south and was at the Ace Cafe in London one day when a guy I got talking to told me he lived in Cumbria. He said that for something to do they would ride their bikes to the pass and deliberately make things difficult for car divers by blocking their path..... so it ain't just car drivers either ! I never go anywhere where there is going to be lots of traffic or people - I like getting out in the country for the peace and solitude after the hectic pace of life these days and travel alone as I can't be bothered with all the dramas other people create and carry with them - pillions seem to be the worst culprits, you know - back seat riders ! As for your comment that anyone can do it, well the guy who dropped his bike couldn't could he ? Things are a little different on Harleys - you are riding a bike that weighs 300Kg BEFORE it's loaded with camping gear and they have a rear wheel bias to the weight distribution as well. When younger I would also tear around like a fool and have the scars to show for it - broke my legs four times in all thanks to car drivers. But, as I am in my 60's, I tend to take things a little easier these days - I won't 'downsize' either as Jap bikes are just of no interest to me, I tried them a few times but found they are a bit boring and 'samey' - just lke all the others. I cut my teeth on British bikes and just cannot bring myself to keep things as 'factory standard' and the aftermarket dosen't really cater to my tastes for Japs.... I am not derideing them, just not my choice. I urge you to buy some midge repellant and ride up the west coast of Scotland - I think it is refered to as the North West 200 these days..... Cumbria is just a park in comparrison to Scotland and the natives are friendly - once you get away from the cities.

[@mykheaton]

Thanks for your advice, I go to Scotland often as it's so beautiful.

[@thakery5720]

@@mykheaton You are welcome friend - I suppose that I see the traffic in Cumbria as it is summer when I go there and I am just a tourist myself, I love to stop and watch for a while but it's easier and doesn't cause a blockage on the narrow roads. I don't like riding in colder times as these old bones don't like it ..... don't get old mate, it's not much fun !

[@1998TDM]

I boiled the front brake on my XT350 going down Applecross. Those undies went in the bin. Soles of my boots were pretty knackered, too.

[@IngramCars]

Presumably that's a 'Road Closed' sign at the start, with a gap left to enable access for farmers. I'd probably ignore it as well, just in case.. but if one person does it, everyone copies thinking it must be alright!

[@mykheaton]

Yeh that's right, we got there as they were putting the sign there but it looked like they just moved it. We followed the van up but they never said anything until they tried to get us done by the police.

[@tomvalentine4928]

I once worked on a bridge / culvert repair job, quite a substantial project about 4 weeks and it was signed as road closed at road junctions half a mile each side of the job. It still seems incredible to me the number of people who drove past the signs and drove right up the big hole in the road then stopped and muttered something about the sign being right after all. Then came all the shenanigans of reversing 50 yards or doing a ten point turn in order to make an escape. Perhaps someone needs to invent a more convincing way of saying Road Closed but it seems simple enough in terms of language to me

[@b19bry]

I am a biker but don't know of the Hardknott pass so was curious to watch. Almost stopped in the first few seconds tho, the wind noise is unbearable and needs suppressing. However I persisted and it's clearly a challenging ride especially on a bigger bike, where the road surface is pretty rubbish. Camera video performance needs upgrading too tho, the video frame refresh is not fast enough, very notch.

[@mykheaton]

I've upgraded my camera bud, I got an Insta 360 X4. Does that video look any better now?

[@b19bry]

@@mykheaton Oh yes, much much better, like night & day ! Well done even the sound, happy trails 🙂

[@1998TDM]

Ah memories. Went over Hardknott and Wrynose twice as a yoof. First time in spring, it was a white out. Spent some time in the scenery as I had no idea where the road was. Second time in high summer, it was raining cats and dogs and blowing a hoolie. Happy days! Both times I met some old bloke in an old Landrover who never moved an inch as he came at me. Cumbrian curmudgeon I guess.

[@sicks6six]

Its great at night by yourself. Ive done it a few times and never seen another soul all the way.last time on a lambretta 225cc. It flew over.the small high revving 2T engine loved it.these big multi cylendar bikes are not cut out for this type of road

[@mykheaton]

It's not a difficult road really, I've done It on a FJR1300 with a pillion with no problems at all!

[@TheMilkybarkid69]

As you turn on to the road there is a red barrier and a sign ? Is that not a road closed sign ? Not judging, merely asking...

[@mykheaton]

Yes, was facing the road coming the other way, the highway agency had just put it there then drove up. We thought if the road was actually closed they might have told us as we were clearly following them. They said they put the sign out of the way so traffic could pass it.

[@Mieke3133]

@@mykheaton Presmuably the traffic that ignored the sign and had to turn around and come back down. 🤣

[@mykheaton]

@@Mieke3133 I guess those cars probably waited it out.

[@BodybuildingSteve]

done it once and glad I can say ive done it but will prob never do again, its such a sketchy road tbh and if u crash or drop ur bike it just ruins the trip

[@mykheaton]

Ah it's okay, not very hard to ride but there are better much nicer roads in the area :)

[@volt8684]

When it’s nice to have Twin cyclinder with torque and engine braking. Takes the heat off the brakes and better control

[@mykheaton]

Yeh plus the handling on the Multi is great, really agile on roads like that :)

[@doriangray2020]

Looks like a nice play to ride the multi. Why did you get rid of yours? I love mine!!

[@mykheaton]

I loved mine too but I don't keep bikes forever and a go of Dad's KTM made me want a 690 Duke :)

[@doriangray2020]

@@mykheaton ah I see. Well good luck and ride safe.

[@mykheaton]

@@doriangray2020 Thanks, same to you :)

[@Paul-zz1cr]

Nice hill for doing wheelie's up

[@mykheaton]

Wheelies are always cool :)

[@DavidTurnbull-m2y]

Don't know what the fuss is about. If you can't ride this ?

[@mykheaton]

What do you mean?

[@kevindarkstar]

Yeah there were signs, but as is often the case in stupid positions, if you are closing a road, put the bloody sign where people can see it 🤦🏻‍♂️

[@mykheaton]

The worst thing about this mate is we followed them up the road and they could have stopped and told us at any point.

[@kevindarkstar]

@@mykheaton yeah, sounds about right 🙄

[@shakey2634]

Can I ask some of the locals.......Has anyone ever considered planting some trees there?

[@mykheaton]

At the risk of sounding silly, why plant trees there?

[@shakey2634]

@@mykheaton Weren't there trees there a long time ago? Way back when wood was a big source of heat for homes? Trees are a renewable resource. And BTW, there are no silly questions. ;-)

[@mykheaton]

@shakey2634 I can't answer those questions. I get the feeling that if trees used to be there, they still would be. There aren't a lot of homes near there, it's fairly remote and quite literally the most challenging road in the UK.

[@shakey2634]

@@mykheaton It looks it!

[@micdavy7718]

Did it last year in July, not too hot but good ride. Cooked the brakes a bit on the way down as could pull the lever to the bar by the time I was at the bottom. (Was on a Ninja1000SX)

[@mykheaton]

I tend to just leave it in first or second gear and use the engine braking :)

[@booshallmighty]

I ridden on roads like this on my old 125 Honda. My mate couldn't keep up with me on his 650. You can definitely go ait faster on small bikes. I have 1200 GS now I can't speed around these roads like on my little Honda. Must seem strange to non bikers seeing these big bikes go slow and little bikes go fast

[@mykheaton]

I have just as much fun on my 125 as I do on my 1200, A pushbike will still over take me downhill though lol

[@rgadave]

I rode over the Hardknott In the early '80's on a Laverda 3CL with a pillion passenger who stupidly had blind faith of my quality as a rider.

[@mykheaton]

Haha, You survived though :)

[@noidreculse8906]

How about a better mic setup

[@mykheaton]

Yes please, pop it in the post will you?

[@alecjefferson6993]

Another waste of time LOOK 👀 AT ME 🤮

[@mykheaton]

Awww, I only uploaded this for you to watch too!

[@loneRider3910]

@@mykheaton most viewers enjoyed it, I’m sure. Cheers, Michael, thanks for taking me on another journey from my armchair in Melbourne, Australia.

[@vstrom9586]

@@mykheaton That was some wonderous countryside, I enjoyed it. Cheers from Canada

[@Theworldinperil]

What a sad individual..why the attitude..if you feel this way simply don't comment....einde van die storie

[@running-with-scissors]

Hit 70s at one point on here. I like to live dangerously 😂

[@geoffclifford3546]

OHH you fibber !

[@running-with-scissors]

@geoffclifford3546 on a litre bike along the valley. No bs. Just coz you can't, doesn't mean I didn't.

[@mykheaton]

Oh along the valley, not on the pass then, No one said I can't by the way, just no one said I would either... The Valley is Wrynose pass by the way.