ROUTE UPDATED JUNE 2023 TO AVOID ROAD CLOSURES ON A592 KIRKSTONE PASS (CHANGES IN RED)
FULL X BIKE : ENGLISH LAKE DISTRICT OPEN ROAD OUT AND BACK
DISTANCE : 112 MILES (180 km)
ELEVATION GAIN : 11,463 ft (3,492 m)
START T1 - WATERHEAD - AMBLESIDE
FINISH T2 - WATERHEAD - AMBLESIDE
BIKE MAP
THE FULL X AND THE ULTRA X ARE RUN IN CONJUNCTION. COMPETITORS FROM BOTH RACES START TOGETHER IN THE SWIM AND COMPLETE THE SAME BIKE ROUTE UNTIL ESKDALE GREEN CHECKPOINT.
The BIKE section is 1 Lap out and back of Kirkstone, Great Langdale, Wrynose, Hardknott, Eskdale, Broughton and Coniston. Competitors return to transition timing station after Coniston to turn around and return through Coniston, Broughton, Eskdale, Hardknott and Wrynose passes.
The bike section is entirely on tarmac roads however, some sections of the route are on poorly maintained B roads. As organisers we warn riders of the worst potholes on route and publish a map to highlight the worst areas. We strongly recommend entrants make themselves familiar with the route before the race.
KIRKSTONE LOOP - WATERHEAD - KIRKSTONE PASS - WATERHEAD
Lap 1: From Transition (T1) head North through the village of Ambleside before bearing North-West FOLLOW THE A591 OUT AND BACK TO GRASMERE. on returning to Ambleside take the first ascent of Kirtksone Pass (K1). 5.6 km with a maximum gradient of 25%, cumulating in the infamous ‘Struggle’ a short but sharp series of hairpin switchbacks just below the summit of 1,500m. TURN AROUND AT THE TOP OF KIRKSTON AND DESCEND BACK TO TRANSITION VIA KIRKSTON PASS. (THE A592 TO TROUTBECK IS CLOSED). Competitors must re-enter the timing area before continuing onto the Eskdale Loop.
WATERHEAD - ESKDALE GREEN
From Transition (T1A) head West through the Great Langdale Valley to Dungeon Ghyll before the short but steep Blea Tarn pass with a maximum gradient of 25% and onto Little Langdale. Sharp right turn onto the first ascent of the twin passes of Wrynose (W1) and Hardknott (H1) at 3km 25% and 2km 33% respectively. After descending Hardknott, continue West along the flat Eskdale valley to the Eskdale Green Checkpoint (E1).
ULTRA X – FULL X SPLIT
Competitors reaching the Eskdale Checkpoint before the E1 cut off time have the option to choose the ULTRA X bike route or the FULL X (lower level) bike route to complete the race described below.
ESKDALE GREEN – BROUGHTON – CONISTON – WATERHEAD
From Eskdale Green (E1) Head South East over Birkerthwaite common to Broughton-in-Furness. From Broughton take the A593 via Coniston to Waterhead turnaround point, located in transition.
Competitors must re-enter the timing area before repeating the Eskdale Loop
THE FULL X AND THE ULTRA X ARE RUN IN CONJUNCTION. COMPETITORS FROM BOTH RACES START TOGETHER IN THE SWIM AND COMPLETE THE SAME BIKE ROUTE UNTIL ESKDALE GREEN CHECKPOINT.
