Is this One of the Toughest Climbs in the World?

Is Hardknott Pass in the Lake District one of the toughest climbs in the world? Here's my POV riding the climb in the Fred Whitton Challenge.
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[@jameshaestier7150]

I wish they did the Fred as a Tour-of-Britain stage. I’d love to see the pros going up this! (& then it might get resurfaced!)

[@AFFootballHighlights]

Descents would be too dangerous to race down imo

[@DarenC]

Not to mention it comes after 100 miles on the Fred! I've done the Fred twice - walked Hardknott both times. Walked Wrynose too the first time I think, but got up all the other climbs.

[@leeutting5265]

when on a hard climb, UK or Europe, my friend and I always say 'it's no Hardnott Pass'. We followed the FW route on day in May a few years ago. 95 miles in you come to Hardnott, still have nightmares, the descent is as scary (hanging off the back of the bike) and then Wrynose. We fluked it with a gorgeous sunny and still day too. Would not want to do this with rain or wind. Excellent climbing by the way!

[@lydiagould3090]

Your bike handling and speed seem far better than most of the others out there!💪💪💪

[@parasoul7417]

Thank you David Arthur and cohorts for producing excellent and informative cycling related content.

[@jameshaestier7150]

“…and cohorts”… This is all Dave. Nothing to do with anyone else. The cohorts just drag him to the pub, ply him with beer and get him to sign up to ridiculous bike rides 🤪

[@mikeainsworth4504]

Wow it must be tough - that world champion at 1:03-1:40 was really grinding away.

[@txblows]

Anyone can buy a rainbow jersey.

[@chrisharris4740]

@@txblows I think that was his point.......

[@Mububban23]

When riders with 34-34 gearing are pushing their bikes, you know it's steep! When a Go Pro makes something look steep, you know it's DAMN steep!!!! 🥵🥵🥵

[@stevedouglas3975]

Goes to show just how tough it is by amount of riders walking. Doing it after 95 miles is insane!

[@user-wr2ux9gb8k]

This is brutal and the camera doesn’t do it justice at how steep it is. I’ve rode it twice in the Fred and it’s proper scary as you could literally fall down the climb lol. Feeling sick at the thought of it haha

[@peterl3463]

David WOW man!!! Second time the "Fred Whitton" Challenge !!! You are a beast. And even pedalling in over 27% of incline......well done!!!!!!

[@peterharrington8709]

I can think of a certain Aussie channel that needs to reassess their opinion of your abilities Dave.... not that it should matter as we all love riding bikes. Respect!👊

[@tenfoottown]

Kudos. Been over that in the car many times. Wouldn’t fancy riding it.

[@fatblokediets9648]

It’s not just the steepness - the road surface is absolutely terrible all the way up (and down the other side), badly affecting traction.

[@jonathanellis1842]

Try going over the top Glyn Ceiriog to Llangollen via the single track lanes over the Froncysyllte - Vivod mountain, either way it is brutal and very steep!

[@blaze1148]

Porlock Hill and Lynmouth in Somerset are pretty steep too.

[@sonyvaioboy]

This is deffo on my list one day. I drove it in my car and it never drove the same again. That hairpin is famous!!

[@tomrachellesfirstdance7843]

Well done for just getting up the climb

[@ossiejesson3148]

Proper Granny Gears needed 28 42 or 22 36 on a Triple Chainring perhaps

[@cyclingSausage]

I was down in Keswick to do an xc event, but it got rained off, so seeing as I was in the area I went and done this instead. I preferred the climb to the descent.

[@701JM]

Also worth mentioning that if doing it this way (west to east) you then have the rather tough wyrnose pass to climb too which is also very steep

[@markbrown9803]

I’ve done this a few times as part of the Triathlon X race from Ambleside. It’s no joke, but with decent gearing and some low cadence training it’s doable, the half marathon afterwards isn’t a lot of fun though 😂

[@333wheeler]

Makes it a tad easier with no cars coming in the opposite direction which does for a lot of the weaving tactics . Did it in the 80s using 42 x 28 on a touring bike. I did leave the saddlebag at the YHA though that day which helped a lot. The Hellfire pass (Bwlch y Groes) in Wales is another very hard one as that is unrelenting long and steeper at the top as well.

[@theyorkshirewheeler]

I had cars coming toward me when going up it a few years ago, amazed how many of them could see I was nearly dying and still refused to stop and let me pass. Also didn’t help the road was wet from downpours

[@fatblokediets9648]

42 x 28 is a monstrous gear for that climb!

[@CastleKnight7]

Looks fun! 👍😊

[@TnFruit]

Is the video stretched from 4:3 to 16:9? MvP doesn't look good.

[@pendodave4661]

Cool. Are the roads closed for the FW, or were you just lucky it wasn't busy?

[@enigma1000]

Not closed

[@davidarthur]

Thankfully the last couple of climbs starting with Hardknott are closed. The rest are open to the public, which was interesting on the hottest weekend of the year so far with LOTS of cars on narrow roads...

[@Jedda73]

That was amazing. It looked steep in the video, so it must be steeper in real life. I was eyeing off the other side, imagining how awesome that descent through the grass would be on my down hill bike.

[@dennismumby9346]

How does this compare with the Bealach na ba/Applecross climb in Scotland?

[@jonathanrobinson2628]

How does it compare to Porlock hill? I've done that a couple of times and whilst it's tough, you just sort of settle into it.

[@blaze1148]

I cheated last Saturday and went up the Toll Road 😃

[@Dioxinpie]

My calf muscles were screaming out from just watching this.

[@MegaTubescreamer]

a mate of mine and myself did hardknot and three of the other high passes circumnavigating nine of the lakes too some years ago ,its awesome to just be a part of that landscape on two wheels, alive `alive O` 😇👍

[@1bruce1dreamer]

Used to love riding but never did much, did Fred whitton route with a 11/25 my mates said I was mad, i couldn’t understand why it was just what my bike came with! Never got off and pushed though

[@profkeithdevlin]

How does it compare with Porlock Hill for steepness? (The steep part of Porlock is not as long, but you can meet cars coming down on the sharp turns near the bottom, and if you do your climb is over and you have to descend and start again, at least on a 34/28 ... )

[@jameshaestier7150]

It’s been years since I rode porlock but from memory, it didn’t have the sharp hairpins that upset your rhythm. There’s parts of Hard knott where you have to put out 300+watts or you stall. After 95 miles of Fred, it’s just too much for many.

[@richardgill9484]

I remember riding this in the early 90s when I was racing. Didn’t really know what to expect as I rode out of Ambleside with nothing more than 39/24. Tackling those 1 in 3 hairpins felt like my groin was going to split🤣🤣Mind you, the bloody sheep made for an interesting descent, as did the cattle grids!!!

[@nedcymru66]

Good effort we'll done, have you tried the "Bealach na Bà" the road to Applecross ,

[@davidarthur]

Not yet!

[@EleanorPeterson]

Good grief! I wonder what those smug chappies on their fancy e-bikes would make of it? 💥👀

[@frupertlister2039]

Should try Te Aute Ridge Rd near Auckland. 🤣

[@cyclingthomas826]

Come do a video on Bwlch y Groes in Wales. Its a bit of a beast

[@donadams5094]

I rode Oxnop Scar last summer, bad enough at 25% (and just a short stretch at that).This is surely beyond me.

[@anthonyR13]

You won't know until you try pal...💪

[@donadams5094]

@@anthonyR13 True! And anyway I would love to do this event even if it means walking the hard part. I'm not too proud.

[@anthonyR13]

@@donadams5094 Same here Don. I'd love to complete it, but I need to be realistic too. No shame in walking...

[@theyorkshirewheeler]

I’ve got this on coast to coast in June but grateful I’ll be hitting it with just 30 miles in the legs at the start of the day!

[@IanGarside]

Yes I’m on the same ride C2C in a day. I’ve just ordered an 11/36 rear cassette but still not anticipating getting up with out walking a little/lot

[@theyorkshirewheeler]

@@IanGarsideis that the SportiveHQ one? I’m riding that if so. I’m getting an 11-34 for my ultegra 12 speed and just hoping for the best 😂

[@moodyedge4355]

Thought about doing that myself but let my riding tail off to nothing for 6 months or so. Recently got back on for 6 weeks prep to ride the lakeland loop 2024... I'd have done the Fred too for the 2nd time but never got a spot. Planning on riding the route in a couple of weeks on my tod ...and for £210 less than I'd have had to pay to do it on the 12th.

[@IanGarside]

@@theyorkshirewheeler Yes it is. I've got an 11/34 on my Factor O2 and it's perfect. I want to do the C2C on my titanium Audax bike (Reilly Spectre) as it's more comfortable on the longer rides and the 11/36 should be a big help on the hills. Wishing you well and hope to see you on the day. I'll be riding with the Cappuccino Cycling Club out of Harrogate.

[@theyorkshirewheeler]

@@IanGarside yes hope you will be fine! I’ll be heading over via train the day before from west Leeds and filming for my channel most of the day where I can. Will give you a shout if I happen to see you. It’s almost time 😬

[@gesp5151]

It’s the bend at 2:32 in video where it gets seriously out of shape 😂

[@petercotterill5105]

In the '70s had to do it in 42x21; LOTS of zig-zagging involved

[@tungstenkid2271]

The steepest climb i've ever seen is Granby Avenue in Leicester (England), it's literally like a quarter-mile-long wall and was giving me so much trouble that I ham-fistedly jammed my derailleur into the spokes and wrecked my back wheel. It's bollarded off nowadays but you can still get a feel for it on google street view..:)

[@adamweb]

@MitchBoyer and @worstretirementever 😂

[@IanB17]

Never done it. Probably never will to avoid the walk of shame.

[@ap6584]

There's no shame in walking up it

[@IanB17]

@@ap6584 Maybe not with something as savage as this but I feel like I’ve failed if I put a foot down.

[@ap6584]

@@IanB17 Fair enough you choose the rules you put on yourself. I did the lakeland loop a few yrs ago which is about 1/2 the fred and I walked the last bit of hardknott, got a decent result which I'm still proud of. Anyone just starting these events is ahead of 99% of people

[@moodyedge4355]

@@ap6584 69 miles so 44 less.

[@ap6584]

@@moodyedge4355 potato potatoe

[@phillippitts6294]

I have absolutely no desire to race down mountains anymore. I would want mtb gears for that beast !

[@godofcycling]

That looks brutal. Anyone else getting the excitement of wanting to tackle it though 😂

[@TrickyTree84]

I made it up without getting off in the c2c. Biggest achievement I've ever made on a bike 😂. Granted I did have a 30t rear cassette, which for the time, was seen as quite big. In terms of tie descent, a rider died on the day we did it, and it was ideal riding conditions

[@stegotron]

I've attempted Hardknott twice now, once on the Lakeland Loop and again on the Fred, both times this year. Definitely need to consider a bigger gear on the back, the 30 I used wasn't quite it for me. Such a great feeling getting to the top, however you make it. And at least I got up and past the photographer on the bike. Good effort climbing the entire thing.

[@iainhampson1451]

The Cowlyd in North Wales is definitely a tougher climb than Hardknott 1.9 miles long and over 14% average with a couple of corners that go around 30%, also includes multiple switchbacks. Hardknott would be a close 2nd though from what I have climbed, Honister and Great Dun Fell are also right up there.

[@iancanuckistan2244]

I'll take a pass. My 69 year old legs would never forgive me.

[@bjornbaron5940]

That road surface creates ugly mental imagery for me. No thanks, I'll stick to high Colorado mountain passes.

[@michaelhodgson525]

Try the back of Falls Creek up to Trapyard Gap. 15Ks at 10%, it's relentless after 200Ks.

[@Horsebloke]

Yes, and bloody hot too the first time I rode it, in ACE 250.

[@marsa74]

The climb challenges the human, the descent challenges the material.

[@markreams3192]

I would imagine that you could fry an egg on your rotors after that decent 😂

[@charliecook6909]

Epic climb but the desent the other side is definitely worse than going up , is so bumpy going down the otherwise

[@shauncorless8965]

I'd only go up that in a helicopter 🚁, I feel knackered watching it 😮

[@andrew1976williams]

The toughest climb I have ridden was Box Hill in Surrey.

[@mjharrisleeds]

I don't remember any sense of accomplishment. I must of missed that part

[@bendenisereedy7865]

I wonder if any other country in the world has climbs as steep? Those minor British roads were built for pack horses whereas everywhere else mountain roads were built for military purposes or vehicle access. Tell me I'm wrong!

[@simonleeofficial]

In Switzerland plenty of "roads" to hamlets and nowhere else, tough even to walk up. Probably classed more like paved bridleways, I.e. originally carved out before cars. Anyway.. isn't there some road in Bristol built to test automatic gearboxes? Probably other countries have the same facilities

[@schnell356]

Look at Alto de l'Angliru in northern Spain, legendary and often part of La Vuelta. But Llano de las Animas in the Canary Islands 'tops' it and is above 2000 meters in elevation.

[@moodyedge4355]

Blame the Romans, they built it.

[@matt46vale]

start again if you walk

[@moodyedge4355]

Agreed. "I've done the Fred but walked up all the climbs".....you haven't done it then have you?

[@matt46vale]

@@moodyedge4355 I haven't done this but have cycled up some big and steep accents in the UK and NZ. Love a hill. Not easy but I see it as a failure if you push your bike. Why'd you take the bike in the first place to cycle up 😂

[@ap6584]

I tell that to Wout van Aert at the start of each cx race but he never listens, tsk

[@matt46vale]

@@ap6584 you're comparing apples to oranges. This is a road

[@ap6584]

@@matt46vale Apples and Oranges are both round, fruit, healthy, edible, have skin on the outside, can be used in drinks and foods, commonly are used as a snack or side, grow on trees, commonly sold in supermarkets and stores, and both contain more than 80 percent water and walking on a road is perfectly legal and justifiable on one of the toughest climbs in the country with 100 miles in your legs

[@secretagent86]

I croaked going up a tiny climb of 13-15 %

[@roddymcniven8734]

Have you tried the Beallach na Bá ?

[@davidarthur]

not yet, worth the trip?

[@roddymcniven8734]

@@davidarthur oh yes, she’ll test you. Rises from sea level to 2,054 ft in six km with inclines of 20%.

[@jameshaestier7150]

2:38 “the look” 😎

[@conrad6226]

That pissed me off, imagine walking two abreast up that.

[@MrSimplesimon007]

It's tough yes but not got the length as over on the continent, I've ridden this many times, both sides, also I went up the scanuppia in a 4wd, and trust me, hardknott is nothing to it, in either length or gradient, you have to see it to belive it

[@kurttate9446]

I'm sorry son, that was not a sunny day.😉

[@1nickybe]

Well done. So what gearing got you to the top of that mad climb?

[@WerdnaLiten]

I bet it's more fun the opposite way...........downhill!!!

[@peterneumann7145]

Done it . Didn’t walk. Then did the others. Never walk

[@htukmumfie]

My top 6 difficult uk road climbs are……..hardknott (from west), great Dunn fell, bwlch y groes, trooper lane, wrynose (from east), asterton bank. After that it’s a toss up between caper hill, chimney bank, mytholm steeps, dunkery beacon.

[@theyorkshirewheeler]

Some belters there! I still need to do trooper lane it’s not too far from me

[@simonworsley8631]

Add in Bushcombe Lane in the Cotswolds too

[@davemoss6976]

You never been to Scotland then?

[@htukmumfie]

Yeh been to Scotland: more long draggy climbs up there. Gdf is harder than b n b for me and lecht. But I must say Scotland on a sunny day is my favourite place to ride (especially gravel)

[@leewarburton7764]

The Cowlyd, North Wales, needs to be on your list too.

[@jansalminen2584]

my toughest climb is Sa Calobra second isTrollstigen

[@moodyedge4355]

Walking doesn't count. IYKYK

[@vueltaskelter414]

Horrendous. I attempted it early one morning many years ago on my trusty steel Condor which only had a 36/26. When your front wheel is lifting off on the first hairpin you know you are in trouble. There was a lot of 'stopping to consult my map' when I heard cars approaching and didn't want the indignity of collapsing in front of them. Much like the Fred Whitton as a whole climbing Hardknott is a pointless miserable exercise in self flagellation. There is one positive note however. After climbing Hardknott Wrynose Pass feels like a piece of piss!

[@bluejoe1873]

RIGHT GEARING PACE YOUR SELF BREATH AND ENJOY 🤣

[@tungstenkid2271]

Can i ask a stupid question?- why don't cyclists simply fit ultra-low gears that'll get them up any climb?

[@jameshaestier7150]

We were on the biggest gear our rear mechs could accommodate

[@tungstenkid2271]

@jameshaestier7150 What about trying a tiny chainwheel?

[@lawman1965]

It's a balancing act. Too easy gearing means lack of speed on flat or descent. MTB gearing would help, but it would be really horrible on the flat sections. If the entire ride was up hill then yeah, really easy gearing would work. But not on normal rides, particularly in an event like the FW!

[@leedorney]

Luv it when Southerners 'moan' when they come up North 😁

[@moodyedge4355]

Shandy drinkers see. Never seen a proper hill 🤣

[@leedorney]

​@@moodyedge4355🤣

[@anthonyR13]

Southener here, I don't moan in front of others, but I have a little cry in front of the landlady at the B & B. I respect the North and it's hills, and have some good Northern bike pals. We all take the piss out of each other, and all have a drink together when the day is done. That's what cycling does 😎👍💪

[@dickieblench5001]

Never again

[@andrewgrenville5330]

Only done the Fred route once, but it was in the middle of a triathlon, doesn't count unless you run a marathon up Scafell and back afterwards ;-)

[@SergioCristancho]

most of the hard work of hardknott pass is get to the start of it... wrynose pass is a must ndo if you want to g et there... and is ' lovely' as lovely this passes can get.

[@nellyx1x493]

I feel your pain. Its the sort of climb that is actually more fun on an mtb, where the gearing makes it more pleasant and suss works well for the water rippled tarmac. Its a special type of challenge, quite different to the huge Alpine climbs which meter out the agony in a slightly different way... at least its over fairly quickly. Hardest in the world is a bold claim, other beasts are available....

[@lyellharrington7260]

Gotta get yourself to New Zealand some time and ride the Crown Range Road to the summit, lets just say theres a very good reason it basically the last stage of The tour of Southland. The first 3 km's are about a 240m of climb from Arrow junction then a easy middle section then the last section of about 4km's up to the summit to finish off the 700m plus climb, the first and last section of the climb is known as the motor vehicle killer particually campervans by the local tow trucks.

[@paulwilliams8588]

Valley of the tears

[@Star14trek]

Yes its a tough climb at end of Fred Witton I did it 5+yrs ago in an short heat wave of 26c 🤯 but I would say Kirkstone pass from Ambleside side village and the struggle is harder? Mind you done it 6x as part of Helvellyn Tri 😂

[@davemoss6976]

There are tougher ones in the canaries, and no doubt in other parts of the world. But it fits in the same class as any of those for me, i.e. impossible category 😢

[@alexsharpe9564]

Not much more tragic than an ironman tattoo walking up a climb...

[@kieranbarry8193]

hardest climb in the world?? hahaha. You need to get out more David!

[@davidarthur]

you've ridden it then?

[@moodyedge4355]

@@davidarthur Folk think because it isn't 10 miles long, it's easy. Let them.

[@AG-el6vt]

I get it that it's a sportive event, just a challenge and all, but I don't think 30% gradients belong in road cycling, competitive or otherwise.

[@davidarthur]

why not?

[@AG-el6vt]

@@davidarthur First, because just balancing on the bike at the speeds this kind of gradient forces you to go at is too low. Never mind the strength needed to actually climb it. Even modern 2x road gearing is too high for this purpose, with the lowest available usually being 1:1. And second, in a competitive situation, we have seen how putting extreme gradients at the final climb of a race/stage just motivates riders to basically save their legs before the 'big climb'. This is especially abused in some stage races like the Vuelta.

[@davidarthur]

@@AG-el6vt this wasn't race though, just a sportive, and it's good to have different challenges across all the many sportive around the world. As the video shows many people were able to ride it and with the right gearing it's doable. Yes it's not easy but if everything was easy where would the challenge be?

[@moodyedge4355]

@@AG-el6vt You aren't forced to ride the Fred. Every year 2500 people pay for the privilege and also train hard for it. Stop being such a fanny.

[@AG-el6vt]

@@moodyedge4355 ok edgy guy. You must be the one handing out the cyclist IDs.

[@elvingtonred]

Where's the enjoyment in that? Get an Enduro Mountain bike, get some bike skills, plenty of uphills, but even better downhills.

[@enigma1000]

No shame in walking ? Yes there is. Absolutely. If you walked you haven’t ridden the climb. Obviously. And it doesn’t count. Am I serious?

[@moodyedge4355]

Agreed. "I've done the Fred but walked up all the climbs".....you haven't done it then have you?

[@moodyedge4355]

@user-oq1hp8kb9v That still counts 😁

[@williwacker2774]

I see shame in someone's walking who proudly showed up with hero crankset + 11-25 cassette or something.

[@CycoWarriorx]

Good gawd… 33% “at certain [spots]”… 🫨🥴… I dunno, when my front wheel is popping mini wheelies, that’s when it’s not fun anymore… all I’m thinking then is when I can get off that climb… 🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@Smellybush]

I would be more worried about my knees or ticker popping.