Route: Whinlatter Pass – the Tour of Britain
Area: Western Lake District
Date of walk: 6th September 2018
Walkers: Andrew, Gilly and David
Distance: 4.0 miles
Ascent: 700 feet
Weather: Cloudy with some bright spells
If readers have arrived at this page under the impression that I’m walking around the country, I can only apologise. This is not a walk that is intended be followed, and I’ve added it to my walking diary only because it records a day in lakeland which was full of interest, and contains some photos which are worth sharing
The Tour of Britain is a multi-stage cycling race along British roads, in which participants race across the country to complete the race in the fastest time. Stage 6 of the 2018 tour was due to pass through the Lake District, and the route would take riders up the Whinlatter Pass. The pass was closed to traffic, but as it was only about 2 miles away from home we decided to walk there
For today’s stage, the teams would depart from Cockermouth, before tackling Whinlatter from its easier western side. The race would be a 14-kilometre time trial, gaining over 300 metres in altitude, with the final five kilometres of the stage against the clock averaging 4% in gradient. Having positioned ourselves midway up the pass, we’d have good view of the riders toiling uphill on their final push to the end of the race at the Whinlatter Visitor Centre. The photos tell the story of the day…
Click on the icon below for a location map
Scroll down – or click on any photo to enlarge it and you can then view as a slideshow
Earlier in the day, a dawn visit to Crummock Water
Autumn colours are starting to appear
Woodhouse Islands
The head of the lake...
Mellbreak beyond the foot of Crummock Water
Later that day, we set off for Whinlatter and walked up the gated road past High Swinside. There are views over Lorton to the Solway Firth and Scotland from here
Spectators below gathered along the Whinlatter Pass
Grizedale Pike
We follow the gated road, which joins the Whinlatter Pass ahead
We arrive at the Whinlatter Pass and await the riders
The first team arrives - JLT Condor
The race is a time trial and the team works together...
...the riders take it in turns to slipstream behind each other
Reflections in the riders' sun visors
Team GB
One Pro Cycling
Determination etched on this rider's face - the Whinlatter Pass is a notorious test of stamina
The Sunweb team
Direct Energie, like a swarm of bees...
A wider view, showing a rider who has been 'dropped' from the group
The lurid pink gear of EF Education First
Team Sky, with Tour de France winner Geraint Thomas in the centre
The Australian team of Michelton Scott
Third in the line is Julian Alaphillipe, the current overall leader of the Tour of Britain
Next team - Lotto NL-Jumbo - the fastest team of the day
Movistar
The green jersey indicating the raceleader at the start of this stage - Patrick Bevin...
Last of the action as the riders toil their way to the Whinlatter Visitor Centre, another 3 km uphill
Ladyside Pike as we walk back towards Lorton Vale
Scotland and Lorton Vale again from High Swinside...
High Swinside, with Low Fell and Fellbarrow on the far side of the vale
Red squirrel in the garden later in the day
Next day: the Tour of Britain would pass through the Lake District again, and we drove over to Loweswater to await the riders. This is Haystacks and Great Gable from our viewing point...
...and Hencomb
Today's event is a 168km road race featuring the Whinlatter Pass not once but twice
The breakaway group race by, 2 minutes ahead of the peleton
The peleton, consisting of over 100 riders - a spectacular sight...
Geraint Thomas and Chris Froome to the left of the photo
Nick Dlamini in the black shirt which indicates he is the current 'King of the Mountains'
A wider shot of Team Sky, and that's it - the peleton has come and gone
Back home, more red squirrel activity
