To fucking hate Sutton Bank?

[NapQueen]

Been driving for 16 years. Happy to drive anywhere at any time in any conditions. But I loathe beyond all measure Sutton Bank.

Taking dc to Flamingo Land this weekend for the day and am already anxious about it. I dont even know why. The fear of stalling halfway up maybe? The panic of the descent on the way home? Im not afraid of heights so not the actual height of the thing....just the incline.

Is it steeper than Hardknott and Wrynose Pass?

No idea what those are!

DH has cycled up it. It's fine. There is a caravan diversion route that goes round it.
It's not as steep as Hardknott.

It’s a positive motorway compared to some of the passes in the Lake District.

Dh is doing it on a bike race in just over a week!

Hardknott is worse, wrynose is worse. I’d say even honnister is worse.

Blimey. Some of you have very fit husbands!

Great video of someone trying to get a bus up Hardknott.

You will be fine. I regularly do Burk brow and it's just about getting the corner right. Low gear before the corner, in your own time accelerate up and round.

Just go the other way, it's not the only route. I love Sutton Bank, driving up it is exilerating and beautiful.

Sutton bank is a 1 in 4 gradient, but Hardknott is a 1 in 5 (I think), so maybe a tad less steep!

It
s just about impossible to photo the whole of the road up the Bank due to the hairpin bends, but have found a pic taken of the view from the top! I luffs my Yorkshire, I do

Hahaha! Yep! Watch out for the Gliders....

Don't talk to me about the caravan route! that was horrendous when we did it, through villages along narrow lanes, even got stuck in a ditch when a tractor had to get past our outfit. Completely put us off going to that part of the country ever again and haven't been since.

Is it as bad as Porlock?

It’s fine, you lightweights. I’ve cyckec up it and driven up it. My first drive as a qualified driver was in a minibus full of kids over Hardknotr. Take it steady, it’ll be fine.
Or go round.

I clench my buttocks and grip the steering wheel - works every time

im so glad i live in essex its so flat

It's my commute....

At least you have some experience of this area so know what to expect I drove to Haworth for a 1940’s weekend last weekend which was bearable but then drove to the Otley show and somewhere along the way we had a really steep incline on a side road which was on a blind bend. My car couldn’t cope and started rolling backwards I had to really yank the handbreak whilst my Mum was busy starting to panic in the passenger seat lol.

DH has used it as training for cycling up Mont Ventoux

Is it steeper than Hardknott and Wrynose Pass? as my kids called them Hardknock and Rhinos pass. Sutton is a piece of piss in comparison. We nearly burnt our brakes out on Hardknott. I was worried about Sutton in our new little Cerlerio which hates hills, but get a good run up and it's ok. Clenching buttocks def helps.

Going up, watch the last bend right at the top, it's sincerely a very tight right, the incline and camber are a bit tricky, 2.55 on your video.

Great commute Irene

What event is your DH doing Mumoftwo? Good luck to him.

OP, I feel your pain. Last year, first time to Flamingoland, we drove down from N scotland. Had never heard of Sutton Bank, just followed the map.
As you do.
So, with our new double axle touring caravan on the back, we approached it. Me to DH:hey that sign says no caravans. DH: must be for the side road its on. Me again: Nope, that other sign definitely says no caravans-look at the gradient!
DH: Shit, its too late, I can't turn back!
Car: Goodbye clutch.

Our poor car managed it in first gear, but we're never doing that again! In fact, since then we've had a new clutch, bought a special sat nav for caravans/campervans (which plans routes to avoid just such hazards!) and planned a whole new route for next month when we go back to FL!

Bloody horrid hill!! OP, take care and just take your time!
Oh, and google 'Bealach na Ba', thats a hairy road!

good luck!