I rode Wyrnose Pass on my first visit to the Lake District on a motorcycle, a 1971 BSA A65FS (FS = Firebird Scrambler – essentially a Lightning with twin matt black high-rise pipes sweeping left), just over thirty years ago. I’d owned the ‘bike for two years at the time and kept it for another twenty (the Firebird was sold to a friend of an ex-girlfriend - his concours-quality restoration was superb, but my current single carb' Thunderbolt is a whole bunch easier to keep in tune!). I rode the pass it a few more times, but have only driven it in recent years, mainly when I’ve been on my way to the World Owl Center at Muncaster Castle or to Dalegarth for the Ravenglass & Eskdale Railway as part of a UK vacation.
For those that don’t know, the Lake District is truly stunning and should be on everybody’s “must see” list. The scenery is world class. My wife only visited the area for the first time when we took a UK vacation about fifteen years ago - she tells the story of being “wowed-out” after a few days.
Wyrnose Pass is really better for views, and there’s Roman Fort ruins to climb over, than knee-scraping. As Lou suggests, if anyone makes the trip, plan for inclement weather – there’s a reason is called the Lake District.
Mark
