With no races at the weekend, I was free to cycle around the Yorkshire Dales without any concern of being fresh for the weekend. This generally means finding some hilly routes in the most scenic parts of the country.
It’s good to be able to cycle around with no specific targets – for no better reason than I enjoy doing it.
Tuesday took me to Patelely Bridge a hilly and attractive part of Nidderdale. The first climb of the day was Norwood Edge – a climb I know all too well because it is part of Otley CC hill Climb season, I’ve done it so many times, it has an awkward familiarity. Whenever, I go up in training, I’ve no idea how I manage to go over a minute quicker in a race. After a hilly route past Menwith Hill, I came to Summer Bridge, where I took a detour to Brimham Rocks. This involved a steep 21% climb (Hartwith Bank) with ominous warning signs – such as not suitable for buses / lorries. It is also quite long, but worth the effort as it is quite a few from the outcrop of rocks on the moor.
Top of Greenhow Hill
After a fast descent into Pateley Bridge, you immediately hit the climb of Greehow hill – a long and steep climb, ascending just under 300 metres in 4Km. There are several sections of 16%, with brief respites of flat in between. These lull you into a false sense of finishing, before going back up. The last mile is not so steep, but it’s that long drag after your legs are already tired from several sections of 16%. After arriving in Grassington, I took the B road back to Ilkley. There’s always quite a few cyclists going up and down Wharfedale road. It was good to join up with some other cyclists for a change; even riding in front of other riders seems to give you a burst of energy compared to riding on your own.
Sheep at the top of Embsay Moor, who kindly posed for me.
At Barden Tower, I was still hungry for climbs, so I took a detour to Embsay moor, another 200 metre climb and then finishing off coming back home over the Cow and Calf climb near Ilkely. Around 2,000 metres of climbing in 60 miles. Legs were tired the next day, but enjoyed it a lot.
My only regret is that although I’ve bought a 28 cassette, I forgot my chain tool and chain whip. As I’m too much of a Yorkshire to buy a new one just for one week, I’m off to the Lakes tomorrow with nothing more than a 39*25 and prayer I won’t end up walking up Hardnott pass.
Greenhow Hill
- Length: 3990m
- Height Gain:282m
- average gradient: 7.3%
- Time taken 12:29
- Location: West out of Pateley Bridge
Four main sections to this climb, with slight respites between each section. First section 18%, second 16%, third 14% and then the final one at 10%
Greenhow Hill – climb #52 in 100 Hill climbs
Hartwith Bank
- Distance 1.6km
- Avg Grade 10.3%
- Elev Difference 160m
- Time: 5.45
- location: Brimham Rocks
Moor Lane Climb
- Distance 1.4km
- Avg Grade 10.2%
- Elev Difference 140m
- Time: 5.15
- Location: East out of Barden towards Embsay
Photo credit Pately Bridge top: Rob Patrick
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