HALF X BIKE : ENGLISH LAKE DISTRICT, OPEN ROAD - NEW ROUTE UPDATED 2023
DISTANCE : 56 MILES (90km)
ELEVATION GAIN 6604 ft (2013m)
START : T1 WATERHEAD, AMBLESIDE
FINISH : T2 WATERHEAD, AMBLESIDE
HALF X BIKE MAP
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
(Two Laps) From T1 head North through the village of Ambleside before bearing North West and to the first ascent of Kirtksone Pass (K1). At 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. Descending back to Transition via the village of Troutbeck and the A591
ESKDALE LOOP - WATERHEAD - ESKDALE GREEN -WATERHEAD
(Two Laps) From T1B 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 turnaround (E1).
Retracing the route back to Transition via Hardknott (H2) Western slope; 5k 33%; Wrynose (W2) Western Slope; 3km 20%; Blea Tarn UPDATED 2023; Great Langdale and to Transition (T1C).
BE WARNED this is the hardest bike section of any Half Iron Distance Triathlon anywhere.
K1 KIRKSTONE (25%) - T1A TRANSITION TIMING STATION
W1 WYRNOSE (25%)
H1 HARDKNOTT (33%) - E1 ESKDALE GREEN TURNAROUND
H2 HARDKNOTT (33%)
W2 WRYNOSE (20%) - T2 TRANSITION TIMING STATION
58 MILE OPEN ROAD CYCLE. THE HALF X BIKE LEG IS THE TOUGHEST OF ANY HALF 'IRON MAN' RACE ANY WHERE IN THE WORLD.
GPX FILE
HALF X BIKE MAP
