Cycling uphill

Grinton moor

April 4, 2015October 18, 2013 by tejvan

Distance: 1.9 miles
Average gradient: 7%
Height gain: 659ft (200m)

Grinton Moor is a testing climb from Reeth towards Leyburn. Starting in the village of Grinton. It climbs sharply out of the village before winding it’s way up the moorside.

Veloviewer

Strava

In July 2014, the Tour de France visited the climb. It was the last categorised climb on stage one, and they rode up at a fair pace.

Grinton Moor, stage one. Photo Adam Bowie, flickr

Report from October 2013

Last Tuesday at the Stang was wet, windy and misty so it was a good to go up to North Yorkshire and see the sun out for a change. Arkengarthdale may be a little remote, but with a bit of sunny weather and it becomes a very nice place to be. Even the drive over to Reeth was pleasant with the sun out (and gps turned off). I noted the climb out of Reeth towards Leyburn (over Grinton moor) for future reference. It looks a nice 3 mile long climb, with nearly 300 metres of vertical height gain over a super smooth road surface. I got a few photos from the climb and two cyclists obliged by riding into the picture. It was simply gorgeous in the sun.

One good thing about riding the hill climb course in the preceding week is that you tend to bump into other people doing the same thing. I spoke to a couple of guys who were out riding the course trying to work out best way of tackling the hill. I even saw a time trial bike by the foot of the climb. I met one reader of the blog, Mick, who was looking forward to riding his first national championship. It’s always nice to meet readers of the blog, though when you realise real people read it, you do feel a bit more obliged to try and think of something interesting to say…

Yesterday, I also got interviewed by Cycling Weekly, who will be doing a preview on the national hill climb championships next week.

Do you think you’ve got a chance of wining?

er, I don’t know

– that was about the height of my lucidity. Don’t miss the big preview next week is all I can say.

By the way, there’s no mobile phone reception near the climb.

Stang in the Sun

The prevailing wind

Tuesday was a fierce headwind, but Thursday was more of a tailwind. Unsurprisingly it’s much quicker with tailwind.

false-flat — One of the false flats on the Stang – you think you’ve made it to the top about 3 times before you actually have.

Stang in the sun — The top of the world. The finish in glorious sun

I’m glad I got a second chance to practise. As hill climbs go, it’s a little on the technical side. A few fast gear changes are required for the sudden changes of gradient, and you need to work out how hard to go on the first steep section of the climb.

I’d hoped that ‘equipment angst’ of Long Hill would be no more. (What’s best bike to use?). But, even after several goes, I couldn’t quite resolve the whole tribars vs non-tribars debate. As soon as you get on them, you’re itching to change gears. There’s probably nothing much in it either way, but the thought of losing a few seconds to the wrong choice does weigh a little on your mind.

Inspired by this years Tour de France Mountain time trial (where riders usually changed time trial bikes half way through) I’ve decided the quickest way to climb the Stang would be to ride a fixed gear to the top of the steep section and then jump on a time trial bike cunningly left by the side of the road.

The bike changes in the Tour time trial made great TV. I wouldn’t be surprised if one day, all time trials have compulsory bike changes like Formula one to make it more interesting for TV viewers. Or perhaps they should imitate the Brompton World Championships and make people run to their bikes like the old fashioned motor racing. If you can have cobbles in the tour, why not add a few cyclo-cross style fences for riders to jump over?

(Needless to say, I won’t actually be using a bike change. My time trial bike is in the loft. And I’m sure it’s against CTT regulations about putting your foot down and walking (there is a regulation stating you’re not allowed to get off and walk in a hill climb). But, even if it wasn’t technical disallowed – it’s not quite the spirit of hill climbs…

Related

The Stang

Practise run on the Stang

October 18, 2013October 16, 2013 by tejvan

I drove up to Arkengarthdale yesterday to have a go at the Stang hill climb. Despite being only 40 miles as the crow flies from Menston, my Garmin satnav managed to make the journey last nearly two hours. I seemed to go through every hamlet in North Yorkshire. It wouldn’t be too much of an exaggeration to say I could have cycled 40 miles quicker myself. I suppose it was good to get a frustrating road journey out of the way before the big event. I came back on the A1 – the journey was further in distance, but quicker and much less stressful than doing 15mph behind a horse box. I’m considering selling my Garmin satnav, it too often sends me on very slow country lanes.

Arkengarthdale really is quite remote. I parked on the road in the village near the CB inn, very few cars went past – which is a good job because I imagine the road will be quite busy with parked cars for the national.

There happened to be a headwind yesterday. It was dry in the village, but once you had climbed the first leg, it was very misty and wet. I got a few photos of the climb, and think have worked out where start and finish are.

The start

The start is opposite Northern gate post of entrance to field situated on the East side of unclassified road Stang Lane, leading to Barnard Castle, approximately 100 meters North from Eskeleth Bridge, and just past the turning on the left of the road to Eskeleth.

Mow Cop hill climb – Lyme Racing club 2013

February 7, 2018October 13, 2013 by tejvan

After the persistent drizzle of Saturday around Holmfirth, the rain hardened to be a bit heavier for Sunday’s Lyme Racing Mow Cop hill climb. I was still trying to dry off clothes from the day before. I had to dig deep into my old sock draw at my parents house. I only found a very unsuitable long fuzzy pair which looks like they were a novelty Christmas item from many years ago.

It’s amazing how wet everything gets after a few short races. It’s hard work racing in the rain. Back in September the British road team got roundly criticised for not finishing the World Championships because it was ‘a bit wet and hard’. For the armchair critic the British team seemed like sitting ducks for strong criticism. Though my thoughts were muted by the fact I’m sure I would have climbed off pretty early too. But, I suppose it’s good to have a few races in the rain. It’s good preparation should the nationals be greeted by a downpour. (which is quite possible on the North Yorkshire moors)

Mow Cop is an intriguing climb. It’s one of the most visually spectacular hill climbs because after the first half, if you look up you see the finish 25% segment looming straight ahead of you. It’s looks as intimidating as it is.

After a sorts, I warmed up on the rollers. The rain was fairly light at that point, but as I made my way down to the start line it became heavier. By the level crossing (where the start is), I stripped off several layers of clothes, and left them with the start time keeper. I got off to a good start. After about 7 years of doing hill climbs, I think I’ve finally worked out a good way of starting off. I learnt how to start by watching the track racing at the 2012 Olympics. Basically stand up and put your weight behind saddle. When you here ‘go’ you can push forward and get a bit of momentum. I used to just sit on the saddle. Chris Boardman said a good start can be worth half a second. Us hill climbers always like half a second – especially if it doesn’t cost £500 for a 100 gram weight saving.

The bottom half of the climb soon becomes quite steep. The first ramp gets up to 20% and it makes you work very hard early on. From then on the gradient eases off a little, but it’s still a hard climb because you already went hard at the bottom. I got in to a good rhythm for the first half – in and out of the saddle but pedalling a decent cadence. After about half way, I made a small mistake of looking up at the finish, which loomed on the horizon. I also made the mistake of looking down at which gear I was in – I was already in the bottom sprocket (39*23) and the steep bit was still to come. It was a bit of lost concentration, but I soon forgot about it and went back to getting up the final really steep part. At one point, I experienced a bit of wheel slip (I had reduced tyre pressure to 90PS) but maybe that was still too high). On the steep bit, there was a quite a crowd cheering you on. There was even a runner, running alongside for a while. Although, it was all a bit of blur at this point, I’m pretty sure he wasn’t dressed up as a tomato or wearing a mankini like you might see in some of the Grand Tours.

Huddersfield Star Wheelers hill climb

January 7, 2017October 12, 2013 by tejvan

2013 race report –

Saturday was another two hill climbs promoted by Holme Valley Wheelers (Holme Moss) and Huddersfield Star Wheelers (Jackson Bridge). It was deep in the heartland of Yorkshire hill climb country. As Simon Warren once said in his hill climb book, throw an arrow at a map around this neck of the woods, and you’ll probably land on a decent hill climb. They don’t really do flat roads her, but they do have plenty of 20% gradients.

I’d never ridden either climb before, but was lured up north by the prospect of Holme Moss and the chance to compete in the Granville Sydney Memorial hill climb.

Holme Moss Clouded out

Next year the Tour de France will be flying up Holme Moss, watched by a global TV audience of millions and 100,000s of spectators by the road side. It was a slightly different set up this weekend, but fundamentally both events do involve cycling up a hill until it hurts really quite a lot.

The Indian summer has well and truly finished. We are now being treated to a very English autumn. It was one of those days where there was a perpetual drizzle. Not ideal conditions for a double hill climb; I came back with a car full of wet stuff. But, they are made of stern stuff up this part of the world. I didn’t see many dns. I guess, if you’re going to do a hill climb, a light drizzle is the least of your concerns.

Unfortunately, Holme Moss is so high up (524m) that the clouds had descended and the thick fog made it unsafe to race. This meant switching to another hill climb course, which was steep and high up, but not sufficiently misty to get lost in the clouds. Fortunately, the reserve hill climb course was just 0.5 miles away (proving the old – throw an arrow at a map and find a hill climb course – theory to be working pretty well)

The drawback of the alternative hill climb course was that it was significantly shorter than Holme Moss. This year I’ve studiously avoided entering any hill climb where the course record is less than 3.30. But, fate wasn’t going to allow me to get away with it. This was, to all intents and purposes a 2 minute hill climb – shorter even than the rake.

2 minute hill climbs just mean you can hurt yourself even more than a long climb, the only saving grace being that it’s over quicker. I didn’t hold back and gave it everything from the start. It was good enough for 2nd place in a time of 2.12. Richard Handley (Rapha CC) showing that chasing Nairo Quintana and Dan Martin up Caerphilly Mountain does wonders for your hill climbing form. He won in a time of 2.06 – not bad for a wiry thin chap like me. Photos at: flamming photography

After a wet and soggy marmite sandwich it was back to the Fleece for a cup of tea, before heading off to the Old Red Lion in Jackson Bridge for part two.

New chain for new climbs

January 7, 2017October 11, 2013 by tejvan

This weekend is 3 new hill climbs. Holme Moss (Holme Valley Wheelers), Jackson Bridge (Granville Sydney Memorial event, Huddersfield Star Wheelers) and Mow Cop (Lyme Racing CC) on Sunday. They all look interesting climbs. I’m hoping the gales in the north are blowing the right way up the hills. The hills may either be slow or very slow depending on the direction of the wind. Holme Moss is one of the highest hill climbs in England at 524m. Next year the Tour de France will pass over Holme Moss, probably with greater fan fare than tomorrow morning. But, it’s all happening up in Yorkshire.

The start sheet for the National Hill climb was published yesterday. I’m off number 174, (14.54) There are a lot of familiar names around. My minute man is ironically Sam Ward who inspired me to do my first hill climb over 20 years ago… 180 riders in total. Roads will be closed. More on Nat Hill climb

With the national championships two weeks away, it’s time to start making the last preparations to bike. (rule no.1 is never leave it to the night before) Last year I spent nearly £1,000 on trying to make the bike lighter. This year I spent nothing and sold the lightweight stem and handlebars, preferring to have some extra money than some 100 grams saving. The only thing I bought this year was the Quark power meter, which broke after four weeks. (Keep your money in your pocket is always a good Yorkshire man’s motto)

However, since I’ve had a relatively frugal year of bike components, I did treat myself to a new chain. There are some things which you shouldn’t skimp on a cyclist. Firstly is tyres. Secondly is changing your chain regularly. On my racing bike, I change every 1,000 miles, and always before a big event. You don’t want to lose any power to a worn chain. I don’t usually spend £50 on a chain. But, if there’s ever a time to justify spending £50 on a lightweight chain, this would be it. I bought SRAM because I have snapped a Dura Ace chain doing hill intervals. In other circumstances it may sound cool to say you put down so much power you broke a Dura Ace chain, but if there was ever a time you didn’t want to snap your chain, this would be it.

bar-tape-amateur — how not to do your bar tape. Amateurish effort with cellotape

I also treated myself to a new handlebar tape. I was sold on the packaging which said ‘thin tape with almost zero added weight’ – Those are words that instantly appeal to any hill climber. ‘Almost zero added weight’ and I’ve bought before you can say ‘how much does it weigh?’

Sometimes at national champs, you see bikes without any handlebar tape at all. Every gram stripped from the bike. There is a certain Zen appeal to a bare, stripped down bike. But, for the Stang, you may be on different parts of the handlebars including the drops. If it only weighs a couple of grams there is greater benefit from having a better grip. It could be cold and wet up in North Yorkshire. There are more important factors than even a few grams of extra weight.

How to change bar tape

Rusty bike art

October 9, 2013October 9, 2013 by tejvan

“You are probably thinking that I’m just a rusty old bicycle. But look again and observe carefully I’ve actually been purposely made to look like a rusty bike – a work of art”

– I never thought much to modern art. -It has no soul – just trying to be clever, but actually failing.

My favourite bit on modern art is when some no hoper who knew nothing about art had to pretend that a random rubbish bin was his work of modern art.

It is annoying the number of abandoned rusty bikes in Oxford. It means I can never find a parking space because the bike racks are fully of rusty old bikes which have been there for over a year.

On the plus side it’s made it to the Oxford deceased bicycles pool

The Stang hill climb

October 27, 2020October 7, 2013 by tejvan

The 2013 national hill climb championships was held on the Stang (south side) on 27th October 12pm. The HQ is in Langthwaite (a few miles north west of Reeth). The event is organised by Howard Heighton, Ferryhill Wheelers CC

Results from the day – National hill climb 2013

Event HQ

The CB Inn, Langthwaite, Arkengarthdale Sat Nav. DL11 6EN.
Parking is limited at the HQ. There is parking along the main road and in the car park in the village. Mobile phone reception is limited in the area.

Course Description
Start on unclassified road Stang Lane that runs from Langthwaithe towards Barnard Castle. The start is opposite Nothern gate post of entrance to field situated on the East side of unclassified road Stang Lane, leading to Barnard Castle, approximately 100 meters North from Eskeleth Bridge, and just past the turning on the left of the road to Eskeleth. From the start continue North Easterly up the hill to finish at Southern tip of lay-by identified by the County Durham and Welcome to Teesdale sign at the county boundary on the crest of the hill.

Details of the climb

Distance 2.33 miles,
height at top 1,771 feet
Elevation gain (833 feet) 253 metres
average gradient: 6.83%
steepest gradient 18%.
Course record: (7.57 Tejvan Pettinger, Sri Chinmoy CT 2013 was – 9.34 – Karl Denton (Blumilk.com) 2012
CR women Maryka Sennema, Kingston Wheelers CC (9.42) was 11.13 – Lyn Hamel
100 climbs: 102
Strava segment
Everesting = 8848/132 = 100 ascents – total distance 241 km.
Direction: West

Veloviewer

Strava

The Stang (south side)

The Stang is a tough climb with considerable variation in gradient. The hardest section is the first 0.6 miles, where the gradient is constantly above 10% and nudges towards 18%. After 0.75 miles there is the first section of downhill. This will enable you to pick up speed and recover somewhat from the first section.

The middle section is a fairly gentle gradient, and flattens out, with a small downhill towards the end.

However, at around 1.6 miles, the gradient picks up again to around 5-10% for final 1 mile to the line.

The hill requires careful pacing. It is too long to really go flat out at the start, but the steepest section still needs the most effort. The key is to go hard enough on first section to still be strong enough on the remaining 2 miles.

It obviously a climb for gears, and you will be in and out of your big chain-ring.

The hill is quite exposed to the elements which can be either very good (with nice tailwind) but equally if the wind is in the wrong direction, it makes it even tougher.

Traffic is quite light, and I think the road will be closed for the national championships. One thing to be aware of is sheep!

There are a number of ‘false flats’ – you think you’ve made it to the top, but around the corner, you realise there’s further to go.

The road surface is adequate. But, like most UK roads it’s not a smooth tarmac.

Photos from Climb

near the top on race day.

The start

The Finish

finish at Southern tip of lay-by identified by the County Durham and Welcome to Teesdale sign at the county boundary on the crest of the hill.

The Stang in the sun

Related

Video of climb

Otley CC hill climb

October 7, 2013October 7, 2013 by tejvan

Otley CC was my first hill climb back in the early 1990s. I was an under 16 then, I can’t remember how I did, but it might have been second to last or somewhere like that. In those days we raced up Norwood edge in the morning and East Chevin in the afternoon. But, increased road traffic has meant East Chevin has been swapped for Guise Edge.

This year, 2013, there was a good entry, with a really big turn out from the under 16s. It’s good to see a lot of young riders having a go at hill climbs. It’s seems the club scene is thriving in Yorkshire. There was also a good pocket of spectators at various points on the climb. I also saw two former Otley CC hill climb organisers turning up to support the event.

First up is Guise Edge. A steep climb out of Pateley Bridge. It runs kind of parallel to Greenhow hill. Greenhow hill is a really tough climb, just a bit too busy for a race.

Guise Edge

Distance 0.7 miles
Avg Grade 10.6%
Max grade – 20%
Elev gain 383ft

Guise edge is quieter, though road is a bit narrower. It’s steep to start off and doesn’t relent until last few hundred yards. The weather forecast said there was a strong westerly wind, so I expected a headwind, but, it didn’t feel like that. I was surprised to go quicker than last year, shaving another 0.7 seconds off the course record. Started off in the 39*19 sprocket and kept in there for the hard steep section. Then there is a fast flat bit section as you come to a sharp left hand turn and a short blast to the finish on the moor.

Generally, I’m not so keen on the shorter climbs, but I seem to be going well on the short climbs this year. Perhaps a result of doing many 1 minute intervals – something I’ve never done before. Second was Lee Baldwin of Buxton CC, followed by Matthew Pilkington (Cleveleys RC).

Norwood Edge

Distance 1.1 miles
Avg Grade 9.3%
Max gradient 16%
Elev Gain 543ft

Usually, there is a 2 hour gap between the hill climbs, so I rushed off to Norwood edge to begin my warm up. But, once on the rollers, I thought it strange no one else was around. Cycling back over to HQ, I found this year we had a luxurious 3 hour gap in between hill climbs – so plenty of time to have a few homemade flap jacks.

Funnily enough a few years ago (2009), I turned up to Otley CC hill climb expecting their to be a 3 hour time gap, like when I first did it in 1994. I had quite a few cakes in the HQ and wondered why no-one else was eating some lunch. But, I then found out that the gap had been cut to 2 hours from the 1990s. I went up East Chevin with far more cakes in my stomach than I would have liked – not a nice experience…. So much better to get it the wrong way around this time.

nicola-snowde — Nicola Soden, Champion Systems/Maxgear/BASE womens’ winner (also of the Buxton CC)

I don’t know why but for races which you’ve done many times and / or are local, I don’t always properly read the start sheet. I’d even written down my start times, but my mind was stuck on the idea of a 2 hour gap.

On Norwood Edge, I typically do better, preferring the longer climb. Though this year my time was 4.56, a bit slower than the past two years. Perhaps it was a slower day. Unfortunately, my power meter is broken after only three weeks use so I’ve no way of knowing. James Gullen (Team Hope Factory Racing) was just 6 seconds behind. James is built for the longer climbs and is very fast. I think my time up Norwood edge when I was 15 was something like 6.50. The idea of going under 5 minutes seemed impossible in those days.

2013-finish-line — The finish at Norwood Edge

Back at the HQ I had a few more flapjacks (some very tasty homemade cakes) and received my first place prize courtesy of the Otley CC and sponsors Team Chevin and MAS design. There was a good family atmosphere with quite a few under 16s getting their prizes.. I even learnt not to place a carbon fibre bike on metal railings.

Results

Pos	Rider	Club	overall	N2	N3	Notes
1	Tejvan Pettinger	Sri Chinmoy Cycling Team	08:20.2	3:23.8	4:56.4	Senior
2	James Gullen	Team Hope Factory Racing	08:32.4	3:30.3	5:02.1	Senior
3	Lee Baldwin	Buxton CC	08:36.3	3:27.9	5:08.4	Senior
4	Matthew Pilkington	Cleveleys RC	08:46.6	3:29.4	5:17.2	Senior
5	Kieran Savage	Seacroft Wheelers	09:46.0	3:59.0	5:47.0	Junior
6	Julian Varley	Harrogate Nova CC	09:46.9	4:02.9	5:44.0	Junior
7	Robert Ormrod	Ilkley CC	09:49.7	4:00.0	5:49.7	Senior
8	Alastair Kay	Herbalife-Leisure Lakes Bikes.com	09:54.7	4:17.0	5:37.7	Senior
9	Rob Shields	GS Metro	09:59.5	4:00.5	5:59.0	Senior
10	Ben Lane	GS Metro	10:00.9	4:03.9	5:57.0	Veteran
11	Archie Cross	Yorkshire Road Club	10:01.8	4:00.0	6:01.8	Senior
12	Eugene Cross	Yorkshire Road Club	10:20.9	4:13.6	6:07.3	Under 16
13	Martin Gostling	Ilkley CC	10:25.5	4:13.2	6:12.3	Senior
14	James Falconer	Ferryhill Wheelers/Mountain High	10:31.7	4:11.6	6:20.1	Junior
15	Joe Varga	City RC (Hull)	10:41.5	4:25.2	6:16.3	Under 16
16	Paolo Nistri	C2CC – SCU	10:42.9	4:15.0	6:27.9	Senior
17	Oliver Leonard	Cyclesense CC	10:51.3	4:22.5	6:28.8	Senior
18	Cian O’Leary	Base2Race Bikeshack	10:58.3	4:23.6	6:34.7	Senior
19	Aaron Tonks	Ribble Valley CRC	11:01.7	4:27.6	6:34.1	Veteran
20	Daniel Kubon	Birdwell Wheelers	11:05.8	4:33.4	6:32.4	Senior
21	Tom Garnett	Ilkley CC	11:07.3	4:25.7	6:41.6	Under 16
22	Tom Cullen	Otley Cycle Club chevincycles.com	11:11.8	4:31.4	6:40.4	Under 16
23	Michael Brown	Birdwell Wheelers	11:16.4	4:24.8	6:51.6	Senior
24	John Garnett	Ilkley CC	11:34.2	4:42.3	6:51.9	Veteran
25	Paul Brierley	Huddersfield Road Club Salamander Fabrications	11:36.3	4:50.5	6:45.8	Veteran
26	Sam Wilson	Mike Vaughan Cycles	11:38.6	4:46.9	6:51.7	Junior
27	James Pike	Ilkley CC	11:40.2	4:48.4	6:51.8	Under 16
28	Will Morgan	Fibrax-Wrexham RC	11:49.2	4:44.0	7:05.2	Junior
29	Nicola Soden	Champion Systems/Maxgear/BASE	11:53.1	4:51.1	7:02.0	Lady
30	Stuart Newbould	Otley Cycle Club chevincycles.com	12:00.8	4:45.9	7:14.9	Veteran
31	Ruaridh Mon-Williams	Ilkley CC	12:02.4	4:52.3	7:10.1	Under 16
32	Huw Spacey	Boneshakers RT	12:07.6	4:52.9	7:14.7	Veteran
33	Christopher Stokes	Otley Cycle Club chevincycles.com	12:12.1	5:08.9	7:03.2	Junior
34	Max McMurdo	Otley Cycle Club chevincycles.com	12:34.6	5:10.9	7:23.7	Under 16
35	Dawn Sherrin	GS Metro	13:07.5	5:22.7	7:44.8	Veteran Lady
36	David Soutar	Otley Cycle Club chevincycles.com	13:40.7	5:38.5	8:02.2	Under 16
37	Luke Burke	Otley Cycle Club chevincycles.com	14:16.9	6:19.4	7:57.5	Under 16
38	Greg Jessop	Ilkley CC	14:59.6	5:56.4	9:03.2	Veteran
39	Alastair Veitch	Otley Cycle Club chevincycles.com	15:07.3	6:08.3	8:59.0	Veteran
40	Sophie English	Otley Cycle Club chevincycles.com	15:37.0	6:29.3	9:07.7	Under 16 Lady
41	James Veitch	Otley Cycle Club chevincycles.com	15:44.0	6:37.7	9:06.3	Under 16
42	Joe Howcroft	Otley Cycle Club chevincycles.com	16:18.8	6:31.4	9:47.4	Under 16
1001	Lee Speight	Pedalsport CC		4:44.9	DNS APOL

Horseshoe Pass

November 2, 2021October 7, 2013 by tejvan

Horseshoe pass (Bwlch yr Oernant) is a 4 mile climb in North Wales near Wrexham, averaging 5% – climbing 311 metres to finish at 1,200 ft (404m). It’s a challenging hill climb, with a few steeper sections of up to 12%, but generally, it feels quite a steady gradient. On a good day, it provides a beautiful backdrop for a hill climb.

The hill climb course doesn’t start quite at the bottom. It misses out a few metres of climbing, starting just before the Britannia inn on your left, and it finishes before the top.

finish of horseshoe pass — Finish of horseshoe pass

Distance 2.4 miles
Average gradient 6.3 %
Max gradient – 12%
Elev gain – 232 metres

Veloviewer

Strava

As its name suggests, there is a 180 degree horseshoe curve towards the top. This means that you can see the road snaking up above you as you climb. It also means you’re likely to face a mixture of headwinds and tailwinds on different parts of the climb.

Horseshoe pass – National Hill Climb Championship

Horseshoe pass was used as the National Hill Climb Championship in 1971 and 1976. (though I think it might have been a slightly shorter version of the course)

1st Joe Waugh 9.02
2nd D.Pitman 9.14
3rd S Johnson 9.29
Cycling Weekly from 1976

It was also National Championship in 1971 when John Clewarth (Kirby Cycling Club) won his only national hill climb title. In 1972, Clewarth represented GB in team time trial and individual road race.

UK National hill climb championship

Daryl Webster climbing Horseshoe pass (photo Bernard Thompson)

Another classic view of Horseshoe pass from the natural banking above the climb.

It is no.90 on 100 Greatest Hill climbs.

Blog from 2013 race

20-percent-side — 20% sign is misleading – it’s more like 10%

I’d been racing the previous day in Otley, and was grateful for a later start. It’s a fair drive from Menston. But, I arrived in decent time and warmed up at the top of the climb, by the popular Ponderosa Cafe. Horseshoe pass and the cafe is also very popular with the motorbiking fraternity. There was no shortage of reviving engines to drown out the relatively quiet whir of the bicycle on the rollers. Often CTT ban rollers near houses because they are too noisy for residents. Motorbikes and the boy racers revving their Ford motor cars must annoy a few local residents.

Fortunately, it was a pleasant day. Quite warm, sunny, just a fresh breeze. But, I imagine you’re not always greeted with this conditions up on top of horseshoe pass. Even though it was quite mild, I put on leg warmers and a winter jacket for the long descent. It’s quite a fast descent, though there are some sweeping corners so you have to take care. The descent could be quite chilly on a wrong day.

Loading up the training

October 4, 2013 by tejvan

The general theory of cycle training is going through periods of high load – where you stretch your efforts, then allowing a period of recovery to allow the training stress to translate into improved performance. I can’t claim any particular strong record in knowing how to peak for a particular event. But, I assume the general principle is to train hard and then allow a tapering period in the last two weeks. It means these first two weeks of October are pretty high intensity. I’ve been trying to get a lot of intervals in this week. Plus the training effect of races at the weekend. The last two weeks of October will then begin a gradual decline in duration of training, though still keeping some high intensity efforts.

This weekend is another hill climb double. Firstly on Saturday, it’s back to my old club Otley CC for their double hill climb header on Guise Hill (Pateley Bridge) and Norwood Edge. I first did this hill climb over 20 years ago. But, in those days I was more interested in the Sunday club runs than efforts of 5 mins. In fact my first couple of hill climb entries, managed to put me off hill climbs for the next 13 years…

On Sunday, it’s a new hill climb for me – Horseshoe pass, organised by Wrexham CC. I’ve never seen the climb before. But, 3 miles at a constant average gradient of 5.5% ticks quite a few boxes for me. With a course record of just over 9 minutes (set by James Dobbin), it is very similar in length and duration to this year’s national championship on the Stang.

The competition is strong with Richard Handley, Rapha CC (fresh from a top 15 placing in the Tour of Britain), and former national champions – Matt Clinton and James Dobbin on the 120 strong startsheet.

As much as you can for a hill climb, I’m kind of looking forward to them.

Strava

Report from October 2013

Stang in the Sun

<img decoding="async" class="aligncenter" src="https://cyclinguphill.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/mow-cop-pub.jpg" alt="mow-cop-pub" width="500" height="429" />

Holme Moss Clouded out

Details of the climb

Strava

Photos from Climb

Horseshoe pass – National Hill Climb Championship

Blog from 2013 race