Ep62 | WE RIDE THE WORLD'S STEEPEST STREET? - So YOU don't have to!
HTML-код
- Опубликовано: 11 сен 2024
- Can we drive the steepest road in the world? We meet another biker riding around the English and Welsh coastline.
#steep street
Hello and welcome to the Great British Biking Adventures Coast Series. In this series we are travelling around the coast on our motorcycle, a Honda VFR1200X Crosstourer.
A lot of our viewers are bike enthusiasts but this series will appeal to a wider audience. Why? Because there’s so much more to the Coast series than motorcycles. There’s the challenges, the journey, geography, history and people. You get to travel the entire coast of England and Wales with us, see how we did it, share our ups and downs, experience English culture, the history and hear about the people that made Britain ‘Great’!
What’s also good about the coast series is it doesn’t matter when you start watching, it’s like one of those open top bus tours - you can get on at any point and just keep going until you arrive back where you started.
Who are we? We’re a husband & wife living in an unremarkable coastal town in England. We’ve been married 35 years and were brought together by motorcycles. One day, Esther’s Honda Melody broke down and she brought it to Jarrod’s motorcycle shop - the rest (as they say) is history.
One cold February day, we started riding along the seafront and just kept going. We wanted to record the experience to have something to watch in the future - the RUclips channel was an afterthought. Take a look at those first few episodes to see just how novice we were, cobbling together what little phone footage we had to try to make a story. To make up for our amateur recording and shyness we added information in the editing. This set the tone and style of our videos, we hope you like it. We like to think we’ve improved and hopefully you’ll agree, take a look, compare our earlier videos with the later ones and let us know in the comments.
There’s also the filming and production journey. When we started we knew nothing about filming, video and audio production, editing, RUclips and the like. We’ve learnt loads and spent loads in time and money along the way but it’s been almost as enjoyable as the journey itself. You’ll hopefully appreciate how far we’ve come.
But what’s with all those bible verses we hear you say. We know some of you don’t appreciate this aspect, one or two have told us in the comments! That’s fine - it really is. All are equally welcome here, believers and unbelievers. It would be a pity if you enjoyed everything else but just stopped watching because of the Christian references but we completely accept you’re free to do as you please.
Our faith has prompted us to include a bible verse in our videos and sometimes a Christian perspective on the things we talk about. The channel is not about Christianity but our faith cannot be separated from it. We hope and pray that it will make you think, inquire and even bring you into a personal relationship with God through Jesus Christ.
Just finding your videos today, so like you said, I've some catching up to do . Got to say I really enjoyed this episode. Brilliant editing and interesting chat . Thanks for sharing your adventure on RUclips 😀👍
Thanks for this and your other comments gus. You've got quite a journey ahead of you!
As we're sure you've already realised by now there's a bit of a difference between the production quality of Ep01 and the latest episodes 😀
Welcome aboard .
Me too mate, very relaxing
Thank you John, we really appreciate the comments. Enjoy!
I believe Baldwin Street, in Dunedin, New Zealand, has been reinstated as the world's steepest street (road) after a formal record review. So see you when you get to NZ.
Hi Miranda, and thanks for your comment. We've had a few less politely made comments regarding this. It seems support for Baldwin Street is strong. Ultimately though, our response is the same- WATCH THE VIDEO. If you do (did) then there would be no need for your comment.
PS - We would love to visit New Zealand one day, but now fear being lynched 😆
@@greatbritishbikingadventures Don't worry, we only reserve lynching for people dissing our rugby teams these days.
I did watch the video, I just posted a bit prematurely.
With all the bends Ffordd Pen Llech would be the most challenging ride, Baldwin St is just a straight line.
Ironically I'm Welsh, from Cwmaman, Aberdare.
If you ever get here, after Baldwin St the Old Dunstan Road, also near Dunedin, is a nice ride, a 45km track that was originally an old stage coach route.
Power on power on!! 😂😂 love it!
😄 Back seat driver!
Another belter and i cant help noticing how kind the weather has been for you both!!!! TTFN see you next Friday.
As Ah-Ha said, 'The sun always shines on TV'😁.
We were very blessed but also had the benefit of picking and choosing when to go.
Packed loads into this week's episode but just hope this it wasn't too long? Just felt it needed to run to the end of the day and didn't want to miss anymore than we did out.
Another great video, Brilliant album from the Manics seen them twice now a really good band. I remember that beach as drove on it when we visited Barmouth by car.
That street sure was steep, the steepest I have done 2 up on a bike was the Hardknott pass and that was 30% in places, so 40% could cure constipation.
As always looking forward to the next episode.
Great album, troubled band?
We're not over egging this one - it was steep. We've done Hardknott and it's challenging but this hill was something else. It wouldn't have been relatively easy if it wasn't for the tight turn. To add to the challenge there was a drain cover and it was wet on the outside. I had to make some very quick decisions about where was best to point the bike.
I'd do it again but not two up on a fully loaded Honda CT!
Edward the First was actually Edward the third. There were 2 actual Saxon kings before the French duke of Normandy stole England and called himself king after the battle of Hastings 1066. Erasing the 9 Saxon Kings of England that were real kings including Alfred the Great! This is the first time i have come across your channel. Love the back seat driving going up the hill at Harlech and its lovely to see the wise words at the end. God bless.
Good evening Matt and thank you for reminding us and everyone about the true lineage. If only Harold had kept his visor down!!! "Power on, power on" 😁. Glad you found us and we appreciate your encouragement. You've got some catching up to do😉!
Your trip is enjoyable thanks for taking us along ❤
It's our pleasure and thank you for your very encouraging comment 😀
While on a motorcycle tour of North Wales some years ago I cycled the Mawddach Trail and across the Barmouth bridge. I didn't realise at that time it is possible to ride the motor bike across. Even though I have toured extensively myself I am loving your journey from the comfort of my chair.
We did it as a family on bikes over 10 years ago now, fond memories. You must go back on the motorcycle and do it Mike, it's great.
Thank you so much for your kind and encouraging comment, we keep saying it but we really do appreciate the comments so much.
Di the whole coat road aberystwyth to Bangor with my daughter on 2 bikes. Tried the mawdach but many angry pedestrians so turned around
Motorcycles or bicycles? You'll have to tune in to next week's episode to see what happens.
I’ve cycled up that steepest street after 60 miles of riding whilst doing a 150 mile charity cycle ride for Diabetes UK in June 2023, I started in Aberystwyth and went up towards Snowdonia via Harlech and back to where I started. The shops keeper of that store gave me a free flapjack to keep me going.
I then cycled up the 25% hill after doing the steepest street just for fun, it was a good memory.
Well done! You say "it was a good memory", I don't expect your legs let you forget it for a few days afterwards!
@@greatbritishbikingadventures I cycle for my work as a delivery rider, so I was back to cycling two days later.
Impressive. I've had better periods of fitness and it certainly makes all the difference to well being. I might just try to get out for a run this afternoon!
@@greatbritishbikingadventures go for it, it’s good for the soul.
I ran into your RUclips channel today for the first time. Ep62…. WOW what a ride and the Harlot castle and coast line, all so beautiful and enjoyable.
What I loved about the video the most was the scripture reference…… THANK YOU, and continued BLESSINGS to the two of you! 🙌🏻
Hi James and thanks for your kind comments. We try to include a scripture in every video. Do you ride a motorcycle?
@@greatbritishbikingadventures yes I ….. I have two rides. Honda Goldwing 1800, and a Suzuki Vstrom 650. I am liking the Vstrom more and more each time I ride it.
Bless you guys
The steepest street in the world is in New Zealand, (Baldwin Street, Dunedin) recognized by Guiness Book of records. Wales held it briefly until it was proven Baldwin Street is steeper.
Hi Stew, if you watch the video we tell the story making this exact point. In the intro a question mark is used in the statement for this reason.
Didn't think that manhole cover was very well placed on the steepest corner
New Zealand sent someone to the UK to survey a street? No wonder we stand no chance of addressing climate change.
Very observant of you John. It was the last thing I needed to see while riding down!!! You may notice how I take the inside (steeper) line to avoid it, especially as it was wet!!! Sorry for the tardy reply, I just noticed your comment as a reply in a separate conversation thread.
According to our research - YES! They seem to be very defensive of the record, as we have gathered from the comments - most of which seem to think we overlooked the fact that Baldwin Street had regained the top slot. If only they had watched the video before commenting 🙄🙄
As for the hill, we stumbled across it and it made a good story for the series. Little did we know how invested some people are in such relatively insignificant things!!!
Let's not get on to climate change🤐🤐
I love watching videos of people bringing us closely into touch with spectacular views of any country in the world and it is evident that the British Isles never falls short of natural beauty. You two have shown that during your coverage of Wales in this series. However, as a resident on the island of Tenerife, the Canary Islands, l have driven along many steep streets and roads and although not officially recognised by the Guinness book of records, there are steeper streets here than the one you encountered and contests being the steepest in the world. We have one such street that measures a 30° angle, .i.e. 58% or a ratio of 1 in 1.73 in the area of Las Lajitas, Santa Ursula. It has become especially famous since Chris Froome, the British Tour de France Champion started using it as one of his favourite training spots. I'm sure there are other roads or even streets with steeper angles in other places but perhaps not so accessible.
Hello Brian, great comment. I'm not sure the Guinness Book of Records is what it used to be. In researching this and other 'records' for the series, it's clear that there are other credible contenders for all sorts of things. I'm not certain, but I think rather than Guinness searching the globe for records, nowadays they just seem to consider applications. There's a RUclipsr who uni-cycled around the world but just because he took his time, they refused the record! Apparently, you also need to stump up thousands of £ to have your record accepted. Thanks for letting us and other viewers know about that 58%'er - that's probably too steep for us to consider!!!
The shopkeeper ( Mark ) is a lovely guy and used to be the groundsman and good friend of the late Lord Harlech. I live in Harlech btw :) great video
Thank you, I hope it didn't come across as rude, that wasn't our intention. When I saw the footage later I had to smile and thought it made a good story. He must see loads of people like us😂
@@greatbritishbikingadventures you didn't come across as rude at all. Loved the video. I rode down that hill a few times and your husband handled it like a pro. I parked my MT09 tracer on it to see if it would still be upright when I returned after a visit to the shop just for the experience, it was so job done :)
MT09! It's a great bike, but alas, we need a steed that can take 2 in comfort while trying to delay the day when we succumb to the Goldwing!
Would you pass our regards to Mark when you get a minute.
Brilliant - 'power on, power on!' - love it! 😊
Talk about 'back seat driver'. She's great isn't she? 😄
We're not far from North Wales and have seen most of it countless times but it never disappoints us, beautiful places and scenery.
'It never disappoints' sums Wales up nicely. Every time we go we discover something new.
Another great video, North Wales is my favorite part of Wales, I was just there in Oct 2023 and took a journey along the "Fizzog" railway. 😎😎
Once at the bottom I think I would stay there😉😉
Ha!😂. Absolutely! I took one wrong turn and then I took another!!!. The satnav was trying to get us to the castle!!! Thankfully, it all worked out and we captured some great memories.....and video!
Lovely video. I live on Wirral and haven't been "around the corner" to this part of Wales for a while - I certainly will be firing up my wee-strom and getting out there very soon. Just one concern - lovely lady pillion doesn't always seem to be wearing gloves?
If the weather is good, you can't beat Wales - we love it! Thank you for your concern 🙂
Most interesting! I used to holiday in a caravan at Harlech with my parents in the late 50’s. I know the road well. Believe it or not, I actually rode a push bike UP the hill!! I must have been around 16/17 at the time. I can’t remember the make of the bike, but it had a Campagnolo gear set. I am now 80 btw.. I have also driven up the hill , many times in various cars over the years.
Thank you for the comments and glad the video gave a trip down 'memory lane'. If you liked this then you should check out some of our other episodes from the coast series.
Great episode! You should come see Shetland for beautiful scenery (most as yet unspoilt by bloody huge windfarms). Also remember the postie has to do that road everyday!
Hi Philip and thanks for commenting. Scotland is in our sights but not sure we'll get as far as Shetland, it's quite a trek and so much to on the mainland. But hopefully we can.
As for the postie, I'm just glad he wasn't walking up as we rode down!🙂
Welcome aboard.
I found a steep hairpin on the approach to Llangrannog Beach while out for a walk, holy crap that one's killer. Needs a staircase.
😂We did it 3 years ago on our Honda Blackbird!!! Not sure if we went that way on the coast trip - I'll be coming to those videos soon. We did, however, come across another steep hill that properly caught us out - you'll have to keep watching to see what happened - it will probably be not this week's but next week or maybe the week after. Thanks for commenting.
Tried cycling up it when I was a youngster and drove down it in an Allegro shortly after passing my test!
Not sure the Allegro would get up it!
Think this might be your first comment, welcome aboard Don.
In a previous world I discovered this road as a pillion on GPZ 1100, we were screaming with joy..
That sounds great. Is it worth the risk?.......
Absolutely!!!
Welcome to the channel 😀
Just found your channel. Living in Bristol, I have riden around most of the South West Coast and the Welsh Coast. I love the North Wales coast.
I saw 'in time' the warning signs for the 40° hill and took the 25° one instead !
Now I need to find episode 1😊
Hi Graham, not far from us in Weston super mare.
"FORTY". I should have listened to myself but, as it turned out, glad I didn't. What an experience!
I'm surprised there was more warnings before and after that one sign?
Brace yourself for those earlier episodes, we were complete filming novices.
Welcome aboard and thanks for commenting 🙂
Great choice of place to visit north Wales takes 🎉some beating we love it.
Absolutely, we love all of Wales except the rain!
Just discovered your series , with fab filming so will watch more . I ride a ‘50 Castles ‘ Welsh trip last year and Harlech was no. 22. I wish I’d seen the 40% road , right next door 😢
Welcome aboard and thanks for commenting. The 50 Castles trip sounds interesting. Seems, like us, you like to factor in a purpose / challenge to your travels. Thanks for the filming compliment but prepare yourself for our earlier attempts, we were complete filming and RUclips beginners a year ago.
Yer just found your videos just 👌💯💯👍stay safe 👍
Thank you Frank, welcome aboard 😃
Just found your channel after just travelling the same route as you from Criecceth to Harlech where we live.
We often see caravanettes and minimises try to drive down the steepest hill and realize their mistake and then try reversing back up with the smell of burning clutches.
Did you know they sometimes shut the road and have cycling time trials up the hill by club cyclists.
It's a lovely drive. We don't have a reverse gear!!! The shop keeper must see all sorts of unaware drivers heading down the lane.
No way I could cycle up it😄
the words " not for motor" all I can think of I wouldn't make it up without a motor LOL but as its one way down just something with good brakes balance is ok LOL
Im not one fore costal roads too much traffic and slow I like the long twists and sweeping bends . but as Im changing my bike to a more tourer ( old age creeping in ) it may be a good idea to see more. thanks for showing us
As they say, "it comes to us all". We were sports touring on a Honda Blackbird until recently and the emphasis was on the 'sports' rather than the 'touring'. Check out this vid - ruclips.net/video/-v3OGFMpWkk/видео.html.
The combination of bike, DCT and slower roads has given us (Especially the passenger 😁) a greater appreciation of riding!
Remember many years ago a road dropping steeply down to a village in Belgium I think. It was tarmaced with blue marble gravel that was polished smooth. Just like ice. Couldn't touch the brakes Couldn't use engine braking. A sharp turn left at the bottom. But there was a track into the woods straight ahead. All the trees bore scars of collisions. Heart in mouth just got away from dropping the lot.. wouldn't do it again
That sounds like a nightmare! You'll have to keep watching because we come off going up a corner like you've just described. It'll be in 2 or 3 episodes time. Thanks for your comment and welcome aboard 👍 😀
At the lower point of Harlech castle, you can see from the road, was originally a dock. The road below the castle was under the sea.
Hello and welcome. Thanks for adding that, we had it in our notes but couldn't weave it in to the story. It seems this latest episode has attracted some new viewers, are you among them or have you been sitting quietly at the back of the room?
Hi folks, aye, still lurking re your reply on Ep 60.
Absolutely lovin and groovin to Ritmo Latina Vibrante e Feliz. 🕺🎶 Ta. 💓
Feel free to lurk but lovin your criptic comments better. Presumably a reference to the bass & drum rhythm played over the stretch between Harlech and Barmouth?
@@greatbritishbikingadventures Me again, unsure about the location but it's from 19.33 to 21.01 ish.
Re. "bass & drum " Drum and Bass would have been a tad jarring...
Thats, it power on power on nice and wide ride it ride it, sounds like co-driver with pace notes🤗✨
Back seat driver!😁
Well I've finally caught up and have thoroughly enjoyed your videos looking forward to you next adventures I enjoy the Bible verses and also your knowledge you glean of the area you visit. Perhaps just pick a location your interested in and give us you knowledge of that area, anyway I've enjoyed keep up the good work.
Thanks Ken, we've had a few people 'catch up' but I think you're the latest. Not bad going considering how many episodes there are. You must have watched 20 or so hours in 2 weeks!
We really appreciate it and your comments.
Still the best slate for roofing. The UK has many beautiful areas. Sadly many are disappearing as they get developed or destroyed by irresponsible people.
Absolutely, Welsh slate is lovely not just for roofing. We had a Welsh slate fireplace that we restored. It had numerous layers of paint that we removed and the natural slate looked wonderful 👌
Excellent weather well ordered!!
We book it in advance 😄. Welcome to GBBA and thanks for your comment. 😊
Very enjoyable great job keep it up
Thank you Justin. Have just recently discovered the series or been following for a while?
Crazy steep road. Well done. Not sure if I'd try it.
We honestly didn't realise what we were getting ourselves into before it was too late! At that stage no point panicking just do the best you can. Wouldn't recommend or do it again 2 up on a fully loaded Honda Crosstourer.
@@greatbritishbikingadventures I fully agree with you on doing it again. Excellent machine control.
Been busy on my own travels to New Zealand, now there's a cost to follow (no I didn't) and unfortunately Mrs FW and y self were stuck in a camper, and so missed the bike, next time maybe
But I am back following you and catching up
Sounds like the trip of a lifetime! Don't mention a camper to Mrs GBBA, she loves them but I'm not ready to give up the bike yet. Enjoy catching up.
@@greatbritishbikingadventures Dont worry I wont say a word about indoor toilet, easy to get a coffee and comfy bed. I think I may have "broken" my wife as she is now refusing to go camping!
😂
Well up to your recent standards!
Thank you
I would love to do those rides so beautiful 😊👍🏍️
They were and are already cherished memories. Thank you Donna.
Great job 😊
Cheer Paul
Very nice....
Thank you Chris 😊
I am pretty certain that Bank End Road, Bolster moor, Golcar, Huddersfield has a steeper gradient than that.
Thanks Freddie. The record is for the steepest Street with houses etc. There's been a couple of suggestions for steeper roads. Also, I believe Guinness only consider applications and don't actively seek to find records anymore but I might be wrong about that.
For example, I know there's a street in Bristol that has to be a contender.
Thanks for your comment 👍
@@greatbritishbikingadventures There are houses but they are built at 90° to the road. It is also only the lower 2/3rds of the upper part of the road that is very steep, it then turns 90° and heads to wellhouse with a much shallower gradient.
i went up there on a xs250 in 78 i had my mate on the back when i got to the top he had got off at the bottom i thort it went up it well
Yamaha XS250! It's been a while since I've seen one. What I remember about that era was the huge range of motorcycles each of the Japanese manufacturers had, especially Yamaha and Honda. I have a 1983 Yamaha range poster and there's got to be about 30 models.
Well done getting up that hill.
Welcome to GBBA.
Blessed are the cheesemakers
? 🤔
I'm assuming you've enabled monetisation as there are a lot more ads than usual this week? I can't get over how steep that hill is 🙈 Loving the 'coaching' from the back ' Power on, Power on, Power on' 😎
Back seat driver!!!!
We have monitised this week but it shouldn't effect the number of ads because I opted for 'just the mid roll' with no additions. What I read suggested it was the same as existing but with YT giving us a cut of what they would normally generate. So far this month we've made 40 cents!!!!!
But, from your experience, it sounds like they have ramped up the ads?
I have YT Premium but have one account that's not signed into it and when I watched the vid in that account I didn't notice any difference.
If anyone else has noticed an increase in ads we'd like to know, we can 'de-monitise' videos individually or even completely if needs be. One the main reason for monitisation was to give us access to some additional tools for better videos.
@@greatbritishbikingadventures 40 Cents! Don't spend it all at once 😉
Let's just say we've no illusions of making a living out of it! The Missenden Flyer did a very candid video recently about how much he makes. Given he's got quarter of million subscribers and regularly pulls in 10's and even 100's of thousands of views the income is, let's say, not amazing.
@@greatbritishbikingadventures I don’t like the bigger channels as you don’t have the nice interactions with the channel owner 😎
It was so tempting to dismissively reply in a lofty tone but I couldn't do it.🙂
It's nice that people are enjoying our channel but even nicer when people follow the whole journey watching the videos all the way through.
I don't think we'll get very big, our content probably has a relatively small niche. Getting people to watch 5 minutes is hard enough, let alone 5 times that.
I remember Saffy Sprocket going down on a tiny Sinnis Akuma
Someone else mentioned she had done it. Brave girl. We'll have to look it up.
@@greatbritishbikingadventures I’d feel happier doing it on a small bike than 2 up on a big one !
Absolutely! I wouldn't recommend doing it on a big bike, especially 2 up, but having got away with it we're both glad we did, a memorable experience.
I see you have quite a few videos on YT that I will try to dip into later.
Vale st Bristol, give this a try 😀
Know it quite well but yet to do it on a bike, good idea for an episode though 🤔
They used to use it to test douglas motorcycles
Ah, Douglas Motorcycles. Much of the old Kingswood Factory is still there. Did you know they used to produce Vespas there under some sort of licence?
Just came across it today buddy
That's great. Welcome aboard.
This is not the first time its ridden on a bike, it was done by "Staffy Sprocket"
And I'm sure it won't be the last!
I'm more concerned about the pillions lack of hand protection. Being an ex Surrey Police motorcyclist I have seen enough motorcycle offs with riders/ pillions wearing no gloves to know what horrific damage is caused. I cringe when I see these videos. I can only hope they are wearing kevlar made Jeans also ?
Your first comment here and you chose to be curt and critical.
That's disappointing, especially given all the things you could have said about this video.
Also, do you realise your tone, referring to us in the third person and your need to tell us you're an ex police officer sounds arrogant and superior?
Sounds like you might be new here Keith and if this one made you cringe then some of our earlier videos will definitely be too much for your safety sensibilities.
I think it is very reasonable comment and specially it comes from his experience. I don’t see anything offending in it. In fact when I first looked on your bike (very nice btw.) with expensive luggage set on it and on your jeans and boots it came to my mind - people spend so much money on the bike and the equipment on the bike and seems like don’t care about proper riding gear and they’re own safety. And this is specially visible when it comes to the pillion.
That's a fair opinion, which I do not share. I agree with you that it's not offensive and have not said so. Offence is taken and not given as far as I'm concerned.
Putting the original posters tone and motivation aside, let's look at the premise for his position - Safely is paramount.
As motorcyclists we have to be very careful about embracing this position because our passion is inherently dangerous. There's a much safer alternative, the car!
Ultimately, our freedom to ride is at risk if we embrace the 'Safely argument'.
Thanks for your comment 👍
so going for a wander, over yonder, on yeronda...........
🤣
Welche Kamera verwendest Du ? die Bilder sind 👍
GoPro Hero 11. Great images when the camera works! Randomly switches off and eats batteries are the main issues. Lots on youtube about it.
Hi I did the absolute coast road for charity (MS Society) took 12 days and didn’t include Scotland.
Hi Kevin, thanks for the comment and (presumably) for getting to the end of the video where Esther said about commenting if you've done the coast. When you say 'absolute' is that a specific route or thing? We did it in stages and the days we quote include the return trips but 12 days is pretty good going - well done. Ashley (who we met at the end) referred to something about times and 100 hours??? Not sure what that about. We did it at our own pace, not particular ambling mind you - we had to press on or else would never have got around. I get the feeling we did more dead ends etc than Ashley.
Smukt Denmark
Perhaps a reference to the lack of such climbs in Denmark 🇩🇰? Who knows 🤔. Either way, still loved your comment 😀
That's not steep try the strines near Sheffield and Derbyshire
Hi David, and thanks for your comment that reminded me of the Monty Python sketch where the northerners out do each other 😆
Knowing us, we might just take up the challenge one day!
false info....Thats not the steepest street
Watch the video and understand question marks before making such an emphatic statement.
no its not anymore
Thanks, but maybe you should watch the video first. It would have negated the need for your comment.
@@greatbritishbikingadventures soon as see it start I realised what it was I just said its not no more and didn't ant to watch it sory
No problem 😃