Mountain Passes Ride

Background

The idea for this ride first came out of a discussion on the Round Britain Rally forum as to which is the highest mountain pass in Britain. It made me think about which mountain passes could be put together into a ride. These are all good roads to ride in their own right and would make a great way to link up some landmarks for other rides.

Completing the Ride
Riders must visit a number of mountain passes across Britain, as listed below.

Touring Ride - At each of the mountain passes you visit you must take a photograph showing a sign, notice board or building at the top of the mountain pass, your ride flag, and your motorbike. I have not prescribed what you must photograph - use your judgement as to what will prove you were there - as a last resort take a photogrpah of the area and of your GPS showing your position. These may be taken and submitted any time and there is no time restriction for visiting the passes, so may be visited over several trips, months, or even years. Visiting 5 passes will gain a bronze certificate; 10 passes for a silver certificate; and all 15 to gain a gold certificate.

Challenge Ride - Before completing the ride you must contact me (I suggest at least two weeks before intending to complete the ride). I will arrange to send you a number before you start the ride. You will need to take two photographs at each stop - one showing a sign, notice board or building at the top of the mountain pass, your ride flag, and your motorbike; the other showing your GPS unit showing the location's coordinates, the time, and a sticker with this number on it. (For further information see here). In addition, you will need to provide a copy of a printed receipt from where you start from; a printed receipt from where you finish; and printed receipts from some or all of the following locations - Bala, Ambleside or Stirling. Receipts may come from any printed receipt with the name of the town on it eg a petrol station, ATM machine etc. Further details of Challenge Rides can be found here.
For a bronze certificate you must visit 5 mountain passes, provide start & finish receipts and a receipt from at least one of the three receipt locations. Further details of Challenge Rides can be found here.
For a silver certificate you must visit 10 mountain passes, provide start & finish receipts and receipts from at least two of the three receipt locations.
For a gold certificate you must visit all 15 mountain passes, provide start & finish receipts and receipts from all three receipt locations.

Landmarks
 No Pass Height Location
1 Bwlch y Groes 1788 feet between Dinas Mawddwy and Llyn Vyrnwy, North Wales
2 Milltir Cerrig 1594 feet between Bala and Llanganog, North Wales
3 Pen-y-Pass 1200 feet between Pen-y-Gwryd and Llanberis, North Wales
4 Hardknott Pass 1289 feet between Eskdale and Duddn Valley, Lake District
5 Kirkstone Pass 1490 feet between Ambleside and Patterdale, Lake District
6 Honister Pass 1167 feet between Seatoller and Gatesgarth, Lake District
7 Hartside Pass 1904 feet between Penrith and Alston, North Pennines
8 Winnats Pass 1312 feet between Castleton and Chapel-en-le-Frith, Peak District
9 Buttertubs Pass 1726 feet between Muker and Hardraw, Yorkshire Dales
10 Gospel Pass 1778 feet between Hay-on-Wye an Abergavenny, South Wales
11 Cairnwell Pass 2199 feet between Glen Shee and Braemar, Scottish Highlands
12 The Lecht 2083 feet between Cockbridge and Tomintoul, Cairngorms
13 Bealach na Ba 2054 feet between Ardarroch and Applecross, Scottish Highlands
14 Mennock Pass 1535 feet between Wanlockhead and Mennock, Lowther Hills
15 Dukes Pass 780 feet between Aberfoyle and Kilmahog, Trossachs

Link to roadbook for Mountain Passes Ride

Paperwork
Application form for awards here.
Ride record sheet here.