Steezy Lakeland 200: Gravel or Full SuS?

The Lakeland 200 is something Steezy have been exploring for a while. It’s technical, remote and challenging with little rest and plenty of hike-a-bike. So why are we so interested? The allure of the Lakeland 200 certainly isn’t its ease of access or forgiving terrain, what draws us to it is the sheer adventure available right here in the UK. Continuous mountain biking trails connected by unrivalled views that link every small village of the Lake District which you’d have never otherwise visited. Have we convinced it is worth trying yet?

If so, it’s time to start thinking bikes! Kitty and Jade have been having it out about which bike is best, gravel bike or a full suspension bike. Kitty rode the Lakeland 200 on a Hope HB.130, some might say the ultimate trail weapon built for the trails that the UK has to offer. Jade used her more utilitarian Genesis Fugio without suspension and drop bars for both her tour of the Lakeland 200 with Kitty and her first fastest known time (FKT) attempt. With less to go wrong, is this the bike for you? Let’s battle it out:

When you picked your bike for the Lakeland 200 what was the thought process behind it?

Jade: The first time I toured the Lakeland 200 I only had a really rubbish MTB, and I was in training for the HT550, which I was planning to do on my gravel bike, so gravel bike it was! The best bike for a trip is the one you have which is working! My gravel bike is set up to be as close to a MTB as you can get - with big tyres and a low gearing, and I'm used to doing big miles on technical off-road on it.

Kitty: I’ve never really done a ride like the Lakeland 200, so I really didn’t know what I was in for. I picked the bike I was most comfortable on for technical off-roading and the one I knew I would enjoy it the most on. 

What was your bike like on the road? 

Jade: 5 out of 5 - The upshot of a gravel bike is it is a little speedier on the road, so I was whizzing along! And with my easy gearing the Lake District road climbs were no problem.

Kitty: 4 out of 5 - the Hope has some nice Fox suspension on it, with the rear shock being easy to lock out and the 29er wheels it actually flew along the roads. Obviously not quite as fast as a rigid bike, but it wasn't slowing me down!

What was climbing like on your chosen setup?  

Jade: 4 out of 5 - I put a smaller 36t chainring up front for touring the Lakeland 200, so I felt like it was easy to get up most of the hills! I did still have to walk some bits but overall I was happy with my setup. While riding uphill you could always have an easier gear than the one you have…

Kitty: 5 out of 5 - the gear range is incredible with a 52T big one and a 32T chainring are perfect for tackling challenging climbs without spinning out. The big wheels bulldoze any obstacles and it’s pretty easy to move around the bike even with bags on in technical sections. This begs the question, why was it so hard? I think maybe it was me limiting the climbing potential of the bike! 

What was hike-a-bike like on your bike?  

Jade: 5 out of 5 - I think being on a gravel bike I had the lightest bike, and therefore the easiest to hike-a-bike! I am also well practiced at it, and none of the hike-a-bike was so bad you had to pop your bike on your shoulders.  

Kitty: 3 out of 5 - comparing the bike to Jade’s, it is a smidge heavier for those big pushes like Black Sail Pass but it still rolls well. I think I just really didn’t like the hike-a-bike!

Lastly, what was shredding down the descents like on your whip?  

Jade: 3 out of 5 - I am a very cautious descender, so I am always on the brakes the whole way down! On a MTB I like to think I would have been a little speedier, and the descents with suspension would have been a bit easier on the body, but I think my limiting factor is not the bike, but being terrified of heights and falling! 

Kitty: 10 out of 5 - I am the opposite from Jade I LOVE descending it’s why I came, if I can fly down something I will and I did (only falling off a couple of times). The bike was perfectly matched to the descents, with little that I couldn’t ride down the descents really were the reward for the Lakeland 200. Having a rear pack on did change the way I ride it but almost forced me to become more proactive shifting my weight around the bike.

If there was anything you could change about your bike and suspension combination, what would it be?

Jade: I wouldn’t change a thing! 

Kitty: I wouldn’t, which surely doesn’t help the choosing situation! I think for the terrain my suspension was perfectly matched. 

Would you pick your bike for this trip again?Jade: Yes, I am going to give the route another shot on the gravel bike later in August, but at some point I will be also giving it a go on my lovely new hardtail MTB.

Kitty: YES. We’re really not making this decision and better! I think given my priorities in biking (enjoying the descents) is different to Jade’s and my bike matched my priority perfectly without hindering the rest of the ride. In fact, I think the bike enhanced the climbs and road sections which otherwise would’ve just been a slog. I reckon it’s the only bike I’d do the Lakeland 200 on and pretty much any riding in the Lakes off-road. 

We hope our discussion has given you some food for thought over which is the perfect bike for your ultimate adventure. There will be those among you who value the ease of climbing and others who need to be able to fully enjoy every thrill. To impart some final knowledge, make sure you ride what you’re comfortable on and that it can stand up to the testing terrain.   

Words: Kitty Dennis
Pictures: Kitty Dennis / Jade / Catherine