hill climbs Archives - Page 9 of 12

Snake Pass

September 23, 2024August 31, 2014 by tejvan

Today was Snake Pass hill climb organised by Glossop Kinder Velo. Also, during the day, two Glossop Kinder Velo riders Paul and Ben were making an attempt to ‘Everest‘ Snake Pass – 27 times 326m to get the 8,800m

The hill climb course J9/5 is

Distance 3.3 miles
Average gradient – 6%
Max gradient – 9%
Height gain: 326 metres
Strava

It is a classic ‘Alpine’ style climb. Long, steady and very little variation in gradient. You can do the climb in the same gear all the way up; it is also a climb where you can sit in the saddle for the whole duration of the climb.

Veloviewer

Strava

1984 National Hill Climb Championship

Crawleyside was the venue for the 1984 National Hill Climb Championship. It was won by Darryl Webster 9.18, Manchester Wheelers.

2014 Race

I arrived back in England at 12pm Sat afternoon. Just 23 hours before the start of the race. It seemed like a good idea at the time to enter a day after flying back – though there were times yesterday when a 6.30am start didn’t seem so appealing. Fortunately, the jet lag wasn’t too bad, and I made it up to Glossop in good time. This year there was a good entry with 80 riders signed up to have a go at Snake Pass. I did my usual unscientific warm up cycling around Glossop before about 10 minutes on the turbo and then made off to the start. It’s always nice to get the hill climb wheels out (front wheel weighs 360gram) though for some reason it had a heavy Continental Competition tub on, and I didn’t have time to change.

I made a steady start holding back a little, knowing that a 12 minute climb is quite different to shorter efforts. Even though I held back, I noticed power still fell away on the second half of the climb, it took increasing efforts to maintain the speed, even though the gradient eases ever so slightly. I was pretty popped at the top, and pleased to get under 12 minutes.

I finished in a time of 11.51. My slowest time up Snake Pass, though only 15 seconds off last year. I seem to remember in 2013 there was an even stronger tailwind, so maybe about the same fitness as last year.

It’s always a relief to get first hill climb of the season under the belt. A similar level to last year is a good starting point for next two months.

2nd place was Adam Kenway (Team Zenith – www.buzzcycles.co.uk ) Adam has had a good season on the road, with many top 5 positions and a few good scalps along the way. 3rd was Sam Clark of Buxton CC, who is organising next week’s event up Long Hill. 1st junior was Wilf Sargeant of West Pennine CC, 2nd junior was David Murphy. In the women’s event Joanna Blakely (GB Cycles) again pipped Vanessa Whitfield of Velo Club St Raphael.

(if memory serves me right)

Previous results up Snake Pass

2012 – 11.40 – 1st. CR – Snake Pass 2012
2013 – 11.36.6 – 1st CR (390 watts average) Snake Pass 2013
2014 – 11.51 – 1st

Everesting Snake Pass

No.1 on the startsheet was Paul Talbot of Glossop Kinder Velo. Paul had done a nice warm up for hill climb by doing about 8 rides up Snake Pass – even before he started to race. Paul and Ben started earlier in the day to try and ‘Everest’ Snake Pass. It will require 180 miles and 27 ascents.

Devil’s Chimney and Bushcombe lane

August 1, 2014 by tejvan

Despite the excitement of getting a new timetrial bike, it’s the time of the year when my thoughts move away from riding on dual carriageways and towards the hill climb season. Fortunately, it’s too early to worry about regimented intervals, August / late July is a great time for just riding around and trying to cycle up as many hills as possible. This is the kind of cycling I enjoy most – no pressure, just ride around for four to five hours and cycle as fast as you can whenever the road goes up. If there’s a better way to spend five hours on a summer day, I don’t think I’ve found it.

Oxford is ideally suited for a range of hills – we have both the Cotswolds and Chilterns within reach, but to be able to ride some new hills (without cycling 120 miles +) I drove to Burford and parked in a lay-by. I don’t really like driving, but it gives a bit of variety for the summer holidays.

Cycling towards Cheltenham on the back-roads parallel to the A40 was a nice warm up. The first climb of the day was Bushscombe lane – (100 hills #105)

Bushcombe Lane is a real beast of a climb with prolonged 25% gradient. I stumbled across Bushcombe Lane in the middle of winter and, a bit unprepared, almost had to get off and walk. In my view, it’s the hardest climb in the South of England.

buschcombe lane — Bushcombe Lane in winter. I was in no mood for taking photos today.

With summer fitness and a lighter bike, I was a bit more confident than last time I rode up. It starts off reasonably enough. I was climbing nicely in a 39*25 and thought I’d be able to make it all the way in that gear. But as you start to turn a corner, the 20% turns in to 25% and it becomes a real fight to keep the bike moving. I was in my last sprocket 28 pretty quick. But, even that was a struggle. (so much for writing a post on a compact chainset) My cadence fell as low as 45 and it was a real struggle to get up last part. Yet again I seemed to under-estimate Bushcombe Lane and went too fast at the start. Anyway I made it up and enjoyed the great descent from Cleeve Hill. The road surface was reasonable, though my tyres were only 19″ I would have preferred fatter ones.

Next on the list was the suitably exotic sounding “Devil’s Chimney” – From south Cheltenham (Leckhampton) south (Not to be confused with the Devil’s Staircase in Wales – which was recently featured on the Cycle Show with Simon Warren riding up it.)

Devil’s Chimney

Length: 2 miles
Average gradient: 6%
Max gradient: 14%

The road is called the “Old Bath Road” and used to be a main A road, until they built something not quite as steep, you can imagine old lorries struggling up here.. It is really a climb in two parts. Going out of Cheltenham there is a testing 14% ramp before levelling off in the middle. This gives you a bit of recovery before a left turn (on a minor road) takes you up another 14% gradient to the top of the hill.

By comparison to the innocuous sounding “Bushcombe Lane”, ‘Devil’s Chimney” was a slight disappointment – it was nothing like the last climb. Still it’s a good hill and a nice wide road, though there wasn’t any view at the top.

I cycled back to Cheltenham and did a few more climbs around Cleeve Hill. There are three ascents of Cleeve Hill from Woomancote. I did them all – though none of the other two compare to Bushcombe Lane, they are real difficult 25% gradient hills. If they weren’t overshadowed by their noisier elder brother, they might get more visitors. If you’re ever in this part of the world it’s worth having a go at these climbs, though come prepared!

Last climb of the day was Round Hill from Winchcombe – a good 200 m of ascent with gradient reaching 20%

In total, 6,000 ft of climbing in just 70 miles. It was a good days cycling.

Related

Questions on cycling uphill

July 20, 2014July 20, 2014 by tejvan

A bit of a hobby is seeing the Google keywords that people search to come to your blog. These are some of the interesting keywords and questions that people type in Google to end up at cyclinguphill.com. Unsurprisingly many things connected with cycling up a hill seems to get linked to this blog.

These are some of the random keyword searches that people put into Google. However, many of these queries can be answered with three golden rules of cycling uphill.

horse-shoe-pass — Horseshoe Pass in Wales – a good hill to practise on with max gradient of 10%

For example, take the Google search – ‘can’t cycle up hills’#3

3 Rules

You will have to cycle up hills slowly.
Get a lower gear for your bike. This makes it easier to cycle slowly.
To get better at cycling uphill, you need to do more of it. Eventually after years of practise, you will be able to cycle up hills, slightly less slowly.

If all else fails, moves to Netherlands, but cycling uphill is not as intimidating as it might first look.

For the very keen:

Check out these techniques of cycling uphill.

If you’re really keen:

check out these hill climb intervals.

– Some suggest the ideal hill climb interval is a gap of about a year in between each big effort. Others of a more masochistic sort, like to see how many times they can go up and down a hill in a day. You pays your money and you take your choice.

The hills never end

It may seem daunting at first, but once you’ve done some training to get stronger and more adept at going uphill, you will soon be seeking out the hardest and steepest hills to see what time you can do – e.g. 100 climbs.

Google Searches related to Cycling Uphill

‘riding uphill find it hard’

This is good. Riding uphill is supposed to be hard – whether a beginner or pro, cycling uphill is never easy – otherwise where would be the fun? As Greg LeMond once said about cycling uphill. (much repeated advise) – ‘It never gets easier, you just get faster.’

ralph-wilson-hill-climb — Ralph Wilson in National Hill climb, looking in great shape.

‘biked uphill almost passed out gear‘

‘Almost passed out’ is something hill climbers might like to boast about. If you cycled so hard you nearly passed out, this is a sign that you could make an excellent cyclist. If you don’t actually enjoy that feeling of nearly passing out or if you have a 100 miles further to cycle after going up hill. The best advice is to go slower (see: rule #1)

This is the real secret to riding uphill – go slower. Lowering your expectations is always a good way to get through life.

Another thing to consider is getting a compact chain set or even triple granny chainring (rule #2 – get a lower gear). There are some people who will tell you a granny chainring is for well ‘Grannies’ but when you’re struggling up Kirkstone pass in 39*25 – zigzagging all over the road trying to prevent yourself falling off into a ditch – you soon learn macho gears are no comfort. Get a lower gear, and enjoy the ride.

Holme Moss

April 6, 2019July 11, 2014 by tejvan

Holme Moss is an iconic British hill climb used in many big races, such as the Tour of Britain and the now defunct Leeds Classic. It is also used in quite a few cyclo sportives, such as the Tour of the Peak, and also hill climbs. Because of its history and epic length, Holme Moss has become a popular venue for road cyclists – it featured in Sky’s top 10 places to ride, and also the first edition of 100 Greatest Hill Climbs (#43). However, all this history was trumped by featuring in stage two of the 2014 Tour de France. The crowds on the slopes of Holme Moss had to seen to be believed.

Thanks to Camperman64 (flickr) for permission to use photos of Holme Moss from Tour de France.

Holme Moss is on the border of Yorkshire and Derbyshire – 11 miles south of Huddersfield, 27 miles west of Sheffield and 21 miles east of Manchester. In July 2014, an estimated 60,000 spectators were on the climb – officials had to draft in extra stewards to try and keep the road safe. Former British cyclist, Rob Hayles remarked that the number of tents in the fields reminded him of Glastonbury. Both Chris Froome and Geraint Thomas said that riding up Holme Moss ‘gave him goosebumps’ such was the noise and atmosphere.

There are two ways to climb Holme Moss – from Holmfirth (north to south) and from Woodhead Reservoir (south to north). At it’s peak the climb reaches 524 metres (1719 ft). There is a small car park at the top, where you can often see cyclists recuperating before they descend back down! The climb from Holmfirth is better known and is longer, though from south upwards is also a good test.

From Holmbridge to Holme Moss

view from Holme Moss

Location: Holmfirth, West Yorkshire
Distance 2.9 miles / 4.7 km
Average grade: 7%
Finish elevation 524 m
Elev gain 341 m
Max gradient 13%
Holme Moss Strava
Everesting: 26 * 4.7 = 244 km

Holme Moss 100 Climbs, shorter version

A shorter version of the climb is the last 1.5 miles. It is this section which is the steepest.

Distance: 1.4 miles / 2.25 km
Av. Gradient: 9%
Height gain: 212 m
100 climbs #43
Holme Moss 100 climbs – Strava
Everesting: 42 * 4.5 = 189 km

Veloviewer

Strava – longer version

Strava – Shorter version

Holme Moss

The first 3 km is quite a gentle gradient. It is only after the village of Holmbridge that it gets steeper. From Holmbridge to the top it averages over 7%. It is long and unrelenting. It is quite exposed so if the wind is in the wrong direction, it can make the climb even tougher.

The toughest section is the last few kms, the gradient is a relentless 10-13%. You’ll be in your lowest gear or close by this point. Not because it’s so steep, but because the hill wears you down.

Holme Moss

Someone has marked the last mile, 1/2 a mile and 1/4 mile. It’s nice to see these signs as you hold on for the top.

rider-top — This tourist had a bit of extra weight on his bike and was really struggling up the top of the climb. Poor chap, he was really grovelling up here at about 4 mph. – just determined not to get off and walk.

Holme Moss from Woodhead Reservoir

Distance 4.3 km
Avg Grade 6.6%
Start Elevation: 240 m
Finish Elevation: 525 m
Elev Gain 285m

Holme Moss from Woodhead reservoir does not have the same height gain. But, it is still a tough climb, with another long drag reaching a maximum of 12%.

Holme Moss south side in winter. The road can get closed, so be careful.

Holme Moss south side

Holme Moss Hill Climb (V970)

top-hm

Glossop Kinder Velo put on some club events on this climb. You can turn up and have a go. Checkout Holme Moss hill climb at Glossop Kinder Velo.

Holme Valley Wheelers put on an open hill climb in October. In 2014 it is October 12th. Holme Valley open hill climbs

Photos from the Tour de France 2014

team-sky-holme moss — Team Sky going up Holme Moss. Number 1 is Chris Froome. Looks like Geraint Thomas and Vasily Kiriyenka in front. photo camperman64

Oxenhope Moor

July 4, 2014 by tejvan

Oxenhope Moor climb (Cock Hill) from Oxenhope – south towards Hebden Bridge.

Length 2.1 miles
average gradient – 6%
Max height – 432m
Height gain: 709ft (216m)
Category 3
Max gradient: 10%
Time: 9 mins
OS Map 104

Oxenhope Moor is a long steady climb from the village of Oxenhope to the top of Oxenhope Moor. It sometimes goes by the less well known name ‘Cock Hill’. Though when the Tour de France came through town, they decided Côte d’ Oxenhope Moor had a better ring to it.

I’ve been up Oxenhope moor a few times. There is some great hills around the Keighley and Worth Valley (e.g. Thwaites Brow and Hainworth Lane). Keighley has some of the best cobbled climbs this side of Belgium. But, Oxenhope Moor is less strenuous than some of those short steep climbs, but at over 2 miles, it makes a good test, and if the wind is blowing in the wrong direction, it can be really hard work on the exposed slopes.

After leaving the village of Oxenhope (At the end of the Keighley and Worth Valley Railway) It passes the Wagon & Horses Inn on the left. Also after a few hairpins, you can take a left turn to take a harder and steeper minor road over the moor past the Holline Hill wind farm. This takes you down to Luddenden. By the main A 6033 is probably a better route to take – it doesn’t get too busy.

The climb is hardest as you leave the village of Oxenhope, but eases off towards the top.

There is a great descent from the top of Oxenhope moor into Hebden Bridge. Long and sweeping, though parked cars on the road mean you have to take care. From Hebden Bridge you are spoilt for choice if you want to keep cycling uphill – you could take in Cragg Vale or if you want something very steep try Mytholm Steepes or Halifax Lane from Luddenden.

Oxenhope Moor Tour de France 2014

Oxenhope Moor is one of the many climbs on stage 2 of the Tour de France

Hebden Bridge to Oxenhope Moor (north to south)

From Hebden Bridge to Oxenhope Moor, the climb is even longer, with over 300 metres of climbing. It is steep at the bottom as you come out of Hebden Bridge but gets less steep the further up you go.

Length – 3.5mi
Average gradient: 5%
Height gain: 1,018ft (310m)

Mytholm Steeps and Blackstone Edge

January 29, 2017July 3, 2014 by tejvan

Mytholmroyd near Hebden Bridge has to have a good shout for being the best location for finding a large quantity and variety of hill climbs. From Mytholmroyd you can take any number of hill climbs – from the famous Cragg Vale (3%) and longest ascent into England, to more esoteric climbs like Mytholm Steeps and Halifax/Luddenden Lane.

I returned to Mytholmroyd and met up with Nathan who rode the Cragg Vale hill climb last Tues. We started off with a gentle ascent of Cragg Vale before plunging down into Ripponden. From Ripponden we followed the Tour route and climb up Ripponden Bank. I’ve done it a couple of times including during a hill climb event organised by Paul Brierly of the Huddersfield R.C. We were lucky with the lights and were able to get a smooth run up the climb.

I’ve never seen the council so busy – Council workers were everywhere – filling in the smallest potholes, picking up litter, dropping off ‘Road Closed signs’ – even cleaning ‘undesirable graffiti’ on Cragg Vale hill climb. Some local wag, thought it amusing to paint the names of Tom, Dick and Harry on the road. It might bemuse the French to see Wendy for Craig – but that’s what’s been painted on Cragg Vale. At least no-one’s drawn a big needle on the road.

At Ripponden Bank we did a u-turn and went all the way down to Littleborough. The ascent from Littleborough (Blackstone Edge) is a great climb – although an A road, it’s not too busy – there’s even a cycle path. We went up the gradual ascent at a good pace, helped by a strong tailwind from the West.

Blackstone Edge

Blackstone Edge
Length – 2.5 miles
Average gradient – 6%
Max gradient – 10%
Height gain – 757ft (230m)

Cragg Vale hill climb

September 10, 2014July 2, 2014 by tejvan

Cragg Vale from Mytholmroyd on the B6138 road proudly claims to be the longest continual ascent in England. 968 feet of climbing in 5.5 miles. It is not steep, just a classic long drag – a power climb with an average gradient of just over 3%.

Cragg Vale Hill climb

Distance 5.3 miles
Avg Grade 3%
Elevation gain 968ft (295m)
Max gradient: 7%
Highest Elev 1,268ft
100 climbs: no. 138

Tour de France and Cragg Vale

In a few days, the Tour de France peleton and whole caravan will be passing up these slopes. 198 riders, and goodness knows how many support vehicles and supporters. Compared to the Alpine giants like the Col du Tourmalet, Alpe d’Huez and Hautacam – Cragg Vale is little more than a mound or hillock, a minor pinprick on the map. It won’t feature too much in Team previews. But, it’s still a good test and a good place to watch. The peleton will be strung out – 5 miles of uphill, is hard in anyone’s book. For the riders, it will be about getting a good place in the peleton for the upcoming climbs, such as Holme Moss and Côte de Greetland nearer the finish.

2-riders-smile — Riders going up Cragg Vale

Yorkshire Cycling Federation Hill climb

I’ve ridden Cragg Vale once in training (with a huge tailwind), and I jumped at the chance to race a hill climb a week before the big race. The local community are really getting into the spirit of the tour – amongst other things, they are going for a Guinness world record for the longest stretch of bunting – 5 miles uphill of bunting. It looks good.

Where’s Bradley Wiggins?

I did a warm up on the climb. Amidst the Go Froomedog, Geraint Thomas! e.t.c. I did see a writing. “Where’s Wiggins?”

Whilst at the start, a member of the public asked seriously if Bradley Wiggins was in our race. They thought they had just seen him. I replied, offhand – no, it will be just someone wearing a Team Sky replica jersey. And indeed there was a rider in the ‘come and try it event’ wearing a Team Sky jersey. However, back at the HQ, I heard again the rumour that Bradley Wiggins did indeed ride up Cragg Vale that evening; and according to the extremely unofficial rumour mill, I heard he did a ’12’. Maybe that was just a guess from projected power figures.

More concrete was a sighting of recently crowned British time trial champion Emma Pooley; Pooley was seen training on the slopes of Cragg Vale – surely you couldn’t have both national TT champs training on Cragg Vale on the same evening?

bunting-bus-stop — It was very good of the Mytholmroyd community to put up bunting for the YCF hill climb – It’s definitely set the standard for future hill climbs. I suggested to a local they leave it up for a few days, as I hear another big cycle race is coming along soon too.

Norwood Edge

January 27, 2015July 2, 2014 by tejvan

2013-view-norwood — At the top of Norwood edge in the trees

Norwood Edge is a tough 1.2 mile hill climb from north of Otley towards Pateley Bridge. It is hardest at the bottom, with a max gradient of 16%, it then ascends at a more gradual gradient around a couple of hairpins before cresting at the top of the moors. It is a difficult climb to pace well. You need to go hard at the bottom because it is the steepest part, but if you give everything at the steep section, you will suffer on the remainder of the climb.

Norwood Edge was my first ever hill climbs, many years ago as a junior in Otley CC. I think my time might have been 6.30, but I can’t really remember. I’ve always seen it as a good hill to test relative form. It’s 20 minutes from Menston and a good warm up. The hill climb starts from the road over the reservoir, where it soon kicks up to 16%, and is a tough start. After this opening couple of minutes, the climb levels off, though it’s deceptively hard because your legs are trying to recover from steep part. After the briefest of flattish section, the road gains in gradient again as you go around a sharp right hander. From there there are excellent views down the Wharfe valley. From here there’s still a kilometre to go before you head over the ridge of the hill.

The course record for Norwood Edge is 4.40 by Jeff Wright back in 1994. I got close in 2010, when I did 4.45. But, it will be hard to break the record now as we now do Norwood Edge as the second climb of the day (after Guise Edge) in the morning – it used to be the other way around Norwood then East Chevin.

Norwood Edge Climb

Location: 7 miles north of Otley, West Yorkshire on B road towards Pateley Bridge
Distance – 1.2 miles
Average gradient: 9%
Max gradient: 16%
Height gain – 571ft (174m)
100 Climbs #53
Everesting: 51*2.4 miles = 122 miles
Course record for open hill climb: 4.40 Jeff Wright

Norwood Edge Hill Climb

Norwood Edge was the first hill climb I did back in 1994 or something. I can’t remember my time, but I think it was 6 and a half minutes. Perhaps I will dig out the old results sheet one day.

My times up Norwood Edge in Otley CC hill climb

1994 – 6.30 something
2009 – 5.0 something (3rd, behind Matt Clinton, Jim Henderson)
2011 – 4.46 (1st)
2012 – 4.50 (1st)
2013 – 4:56.4 (1st) (blog from 2013)
2014 – 4.57.9 (1st) blog from 2014

Rides from Norwood Edge

If you want a hilly ride, Norwood Edge makes a good starting point. The B6451 will take you to Summerbridge. If you go straight on here, you will find a little known steep climb to Brimham Rocks. It’s a real toughie over 20% taking you straight up to wonderful views from the tourist spot of Brimham Rocks.

If you turn left at Summerbridge, you can take the main road towards Pateley Bridge. From Pateley Bridge you have a choice of quite a few good climbs. The main B road travels West towards Grassington and Skipton. This road takes you up Greenhow Hill which is a real classic climb (nearly 1,000ft of ascent), with several ramps of 16%. Alternatively, you can take the quieter roads up to Greenhow, through Guise Edge – which is nearly as tough.

Views from Norwood Edge

Half way

The long bend

Views from Norwood Edge

The last climb
Veloviewer

Strava

The 100 climbs version is an extra 0.1 miles starting by the reservoir. The Otley CC hill climb version starts 100 m further up the hill by a layby.

Related Pages

100 Climbs

Chris Boardman on hill climbs

June 24, 2014 by tejvan

Recently, a friend dropped off a lot of old cycling magazines – from an era when cycling magazines had long articles and lots of timetrial times. Beautiful. I don’t know why I like flicking through times from a 25 mile TT in the 1980s, but I kind of do, I guess that’s why I ended up timetrialling.

One magazine had a special feature of Chris Boardman on hill climbs tips. This was earlier in his career when Boardman was still a domestic UK rider and three times hill climb champion (1989-91).

This was of interest because if anyone knew some good hill climb tips, Boardman would be one of the first I asked.

First up was hill climb sessions. I was really hoping to find some amazing, eyeballs out interval session that would be the new secret for upcoming hill climb season. Perhaps Boardman’s interval sessions could give me the competitive edge. After all, not many other people would be reading a Cycling magazine from early 1990s

Rectory hill climb

June 5, 2014June 4, 2014 by tejvan

The Hamptons Rectory hill climb will be part of the Chiltern Cycling Festival. It looks like it will be a good event with many cycle events lined up for the day. By the afternoon there could be a good crowd watching the pain and suffering of the hill climbers. The hill climb will be on closed roads, which will be good for riders and spectators. There are quite a few prizes, such as Solo clothing, and I hear a good entry.

It will suit the short sprinting type of hill climbers. Depending on where the start and finish are, it’s not that dissimilar in length to Monsal Head / York Hill (Catford CC)

It is steep, with a gradient of 14-15% at the bottom before levelling off near the top. Ironically, the hill climb finishes by the underground line (Metropolitan line from Amersham). There can’t be too many hill climbs where you climb to a London Underground train line.

During a long ride yesterday, I did 2.05 up the 0.5 mile hill. And two and half minutes up the longer 0.6 mile version.

But that was after 50 miles of trying to find “Old Amersham” without a map. I would imagine a winning time of something like 20-30 seconds quicker.

As much as I love hill climbs, it will be a tough one for me. It’s a day before national 100 and I might be in with a shout of a good placing in the national. 3 efforts of 2 minutes are not quite my forte. It will be good to wear the national jersey – though using a granny ring will be very tempting. It’s looking like a good one to come along and watch.

Hamptons Rectory Hill Climb at Chiltern Cycle Festival