100 Greatest cycling climbs is a book I very much enjoyed reading. It is a look at some of the hardest climbs in the UK from Constitution Hill to Kirstone Pass and Ditchling Beacon. Quite a few I have ridden myself. A few like the ‘Bealach-Na-Ba’ climb in Scotland make you want to travel up there and have a go at climbing the 623 metres of ascent over 9Km. It must be a good hill climb, if you have to check weather forecast before attempting.
It is not strictly speaking the 100 hardest climbs, but, a cross section of 100 climbs with contributions from all main areas of the UK. Thus less hard climbs in Leicestershire make it in. But, that makes more sense than having 100 climbs all from Exmoor, Lake District and Wales.
For every hundred climbs, I could probably find another 100 climbs to include. For example, one of the hardest climbs I did was a very little known climb from Lofthouse to Masham in Nidderdale. Also for every climb, you could look at a different approach to the summit. For example, Kirstone Pass is much more difficult if you tackle the short but steep way direct from Ambleside. But, overall I think the selection was very good and gives a good overview of the variety of climbs in the UK.
Horseshoe Pass – from classic time trial photos
For myself, cycling up hills, is the most attractive part of the sport. So it is perhaps no surprise I would like a book on cycling climbs. But, I think for the average cyclist, it is still interesting and may even inspire you to try and take on some of the climbs.
The rating for the climbs is quite subjective. I think at 11Km (ascent of 380 metres), the ascent of the Cat and Fiddle is worth more than a 4/10. But, that doesn’t really matter.
List of Hill Climbs
- Nick O Pendle (Lancashire)
- Burrington Combe (Mendips)
- Westclose Hill (Mendips
- Shap Fell (Lake District)
- Dovers Hill (Gloucestershire)
- Long Hill Climb (Buxton)
- Ripponden Bank (Lancashire)
- Kirkstone Pass (Lake District)
- The Rake (Lancashire)
Good Things about 100 Greatest Hill Climbs
- Good Pictures of the different climbs
- Simple and easy to read and carry
- Good cross section of different UK climbs, you will probably have ridden at least some of them. And will be tempted to try others nearby.
Other Things That Would be Nice
- More stats e.g. average gradient of climbs
- Some info on best descents. e.g. My favourite ascent of Fleet Moss is from South to North because the descent into Hawes is so much fun (except if my mother is reading in which case I mean to say I get off and walk down)
Steepest Hills in Britain / UK
- Ffordd Penllech, Harlech, Gwynedd Wales – 40% on steepest part of hairpin!
- Rosedale Chimney, North York Moors – 33% (1 in 3)
- Constitution Hill, Wales – 30% ?
- Hardknott Pass, Lake District – upto 30%
Some Other 25% Climbs
- The Rake, Ramsbottom – 25%
- Honister Pass – 25%
- Shibden Wall, Halifax – 25%
- Buttertubs, Yorks – 25%
- Mow Cop – 25%
- Porlock Hill, Somerset – 25%
The author of the book Simon Warren helped organise the first urban hill climb race on Swain Lane London promoted by Rollapaluza CC. The event attracted a full field of 100 riders giving cyclist the chance to race up a 20% London street on closed roads. It would be great for more urban hill climbs to catch on. (Bristol springs to mind)
Related
- 100 Greatest Hill Climb – Amazon.co.uk
- Interview with Simon Warren author of 100 Hill Climbs
- Hill Climb Page
Millook, both sides of the bay, 30%. Longer side is worse…
I also road Mytholm Steeps out of Hebden Bridge the day before, the 5th 25% road of the day, closest I’ve come to walking in a long time, it’s an utter beast. Was a good weekend.
Thanks Simon. It’s also relative. I did the climb out of Lofthouse when I was 15 on my first 501 Reynolds bike. I remember it as almost impossible. If I did it now, with a few more miles in the legs, it probably wouldn’t be quite as I remember. – Like going back to your old primary school field and being shocked at how small it is.
I think Kirkstone pass from Ambleside is one of the most difficult.
Hi, Tejvan, firstly thanks again for your kind words about the book. I’ve just returned from a trip up to Nidderdale, following up your recomendation of Trapping Hill, it’s a beaut, and for those wanting a great decent, the trip down into Masham is brilliant too. What will I rate It? at the moment I am thinking 7, I did have fresh legs having started the day off in Petely Bridge, it may get upgraded to an 8.
Cheers
Simon
Hullo,
I must say that both myself and all my other shandy-drinking southern bike-nut colleagues down here in Reading were horrified when the local Streatley hill scored ‘only’ 5/10 in this book. I wonder if there is a good internet site or other cycling publication that lists other hills. The worst hill I’ve ever done is Hope Mountain (or Waun-y-llyn) by Hope in north Wales. I wonder what its rating would be..!
Thanks very much for the mention Tejvan, not sure what I did to deserve it but thanks anyway.
Talking of wondering where to find those extra seconds, I was a bit disappointed with my time so have spent the last fortnight wondering what I did ‘wrong’, and how I can get it ‘right’ next year!
Good read, as usual.
Good luck for Long Hill.
P.S. Descending the same hill deserves the award of ‘scariest descent’ thanks to the meagre brakes of my rented MTB, numerous blind corners and the constant stream of buses passing way too close. Compared to the rest of China, cyclists are a rarity in Hong Kong and are the last thing that drivers expect to see.
Best hill climb I ever did?
Can’t remember the gradient but it’s a 4km twisty climb on the South Lantau Road in Lantau, Hong Kong – it’s probably not much but bear in mind it’s 35degC, 90% humidity and it’s a busy 2 lane road with lots of trucks, buses and no cycle path, and I was on a heavy rented mountain bike… you get the picture. Also my homeland of Essex and my adopted homeland of Jiangsu Province, China, are as flat as a proverbial pancake.
Not as serious but possibly more fun – have you ever seen the book 50 Quirky Bike Rides? It mentions steep climbs as well as fords, bridges & other, well, “quirky” places to ride. I want to ride the highest tarmac road in Britain. Any guesses where that is?
hoping to organise an urban hillclimb in bristol as a part of next year’s cycling festival. this year we’ve got a nocturne.
Yes, often a gradient of 10% or more is considered steep for Alpine passes. I guess when you’re climbing for 20km, it’s very different. You would hardly want to ascend 1,500 metres at 25% like Mow Cop! But, for ascending 200-300 metres like in the UK, it’s just about bearable!
What’s considered ‘steep’ in the Alpine and Pyrenean stages of the Tour de France?
As far as I can remember, while listening to the commentary this year, the gradients they mentioned from time to time didn’t sound that steep (compared to the figures you quote above, anyway).
We came across the 25% Mow Cop climb on a recent tandem holiday. My stoker revolted and we pushed to the top.
I’ve just got a copy of this book myself, I also like how there’s a section where you can track when you did the climbs and what time you did it in.