Wrynose/Hardknott/Lakes - Ground clearance?

[FisiP1]

Hi all,

Does anyone happen to know how severe the ground clearance issue can be on these 2 roads in particular, or anywhere else in the Lakes that springs to mind?

I'm looking to take my Cayman(non-PASM) up there for a week soon, I understand its hardly slammed like a GT3 but I'd really rather not the shame of having to reverse down one of the passes. I'm fine on the worst roads I can find in Wales(Tregaron-Abergwesyn mtn. road), but only just.

Thanks.

[JQ]

I can't imagine you'll have a problem. The issues are that it's very steep and very narrow, it's not a ground clearance issue.

If you want some fun up there, I'd be getting there before 8am, after that you'll be mixing it with grandma and grandad in their Rover 75.

[FisiP1]

Thanks, its the hairpins that worry me, I really can't remember just how bad they were being its been around 10 years since I last went. Unfortunately street view isn't perfect to judge with either.

Thats a great point with getting up there early, good excuse to get a full day in.

[abbotsmike]

It was fine in a 5-up mk1 focus last year if that helps

Well, right up until the driver dropped a front wheel off the tarmac and into a deep puddle to let a numpty past who thought their saloon was a freighter. It was fine fortunately, landed on the front subframe mount and just made some nasty scraping noises when getting it back on the road, no damage!

So just don't leave the tarmac!

[enioldjoe]

Should be fine on the Hardnott. If an Elise can cope without too many sparks from the undertray then something soft like a Caymen should manage .

FWIW, I'd be more worried if it's particularly wet at the time, as you can get veritable rivers streaming down those roads , which may spoil your fun.

Edited by enioldjoe on Saturday 5th May 20:37

[Jazoli]

It'll be fine, I went over last week on my bike and the mx5 owners club were having a jolly up there, there were some very low cars in that convoy and they all got over no problems.

The road surface is absolutely shocking mind

[FisiP1]

Thanks again all, will give it a go and you can all split the bill for a new undertray

[10 Pence Short]

Cayman should be fine, but a couple of the hairpins will require good lock (though you can reverse and forward, of course...).

[redback911]

Ground clearance is not a problem for your stock Cayman. Although if you attempt the passes on the weekend it can be very busy, which means you can be waiting for gaps (as its single track in lots of places) in oncoming traffic. Also you need to be careful of potholes on Wrynose pass. We live locally and far too often hear and see tyre shredding stories. Typically happens in the wet when they fill with water and are more difficult to see.

[anonymous-user]

FisiP1 said:

Hi all,

Does anyone happen to know how severe the ground clearance issue can be on these 2 roads in particular, or anywhere else in the Lakes that springs to mind?

I'm looking to take my Cayman(non-PASM) up there for a week soon, I understand its hardly slammed like a GT3 but I'd really rather not the shame of having to reverse down one of the passes. I'm fine on the worst roads I can find in Wales(Tregaron-Abergwesyn mtn. road), but only just.

Thanks.

My Cayman R manages the lakes without a problem and I'm lower than you. There are a few roads that I would not do at speed though as you'll easily compress and ground your nose as the surfaces are pretty uneven in places. That said, the brake duct spoilers that sit fore of the front wheels drag on just about everything in my car and when they let go, I think I'll replace them with the GT3 equivalent as it has a shallower profile.

Do you have any routes planned? I could maybe provide some more helpful comments that way?