starting at great langdale the Lakeland loop is really tough but equally rewarding, the feeling when you get to the top of hardknott is unrivaled.
You set off over red bank and drop into grasmere then follow dunmail raise to thirlmere here you take the road to the left of the lake the scenery is fantastic.
After passing through Keswick you hit the whinlatter pass which is tough but not really as bad as I thought it was going to be, when you descend after the pass it's not far to the first feed stop which was well stocked with cakes, biscuits, flapjacks etc tea and coffee and water to refill bottles.
after the stop you head off towards the coast there are some really good views, you could even see the Isle of Man, most of the roads are really quiet on this bit.
the second food stop is at around 50-55 miles in it was well stocked again, but this time also had sandwiches aswell. Word of warning don't have too much as you have the 2 major climbs coming up.
you then head to eskdale and towards the hardknott pass I've never been up this before so when I first got a glimpse of it I realised why it was classed as the daddy of hill climbs, it starts off steep let's off slightly around a third of the way up then hits you with the brutal 30% switchbacks very hard but the feeling at the top was great, and the view from the top is fantastic.
after hardknott you have the task of climbing wrynose which is tough but not quite as hard as hardknott, the descent off both is quite dodgy in places so caution is definitely needed, there are warning signs all the way round the course telling you to slow down when needed.
after the climb from little langdale to blea tarn it's another steep downhill back into great langdale and the finish.
another great event by epic, easy registration, free parking, as always friendly marshals.
will definitely be returning next year.