Results from hill climb Championships at CTT

Blog from hill climb

Cat & Fiddle Hill Climb

• Distance: 6.6 miles
• Height Gain: 335 metres
• Average Gradient: 3.2%
• Max Gradient: 8%
• Maximum altitude: 520 metres
• CR: 18.14 (2013) – 22mph)

Last year I did the climb for the first time in a time of 21.02. But, last year, the weather was tough – a headwind and cold. Today, was about as good as it gets in September. Warm, and most importantly a nice gentle tailwind. It can be wild up in this part of the world, but the trees were barely moving, you had to pinch yourself the hill climb season is getting well underway.

 Photo courtesy: 5th place Bhima Bowden (Buxton CC) – 14 photos combined into one!. I think it’s a really great photo, if only slightly disconcerting to see 14 images of yourself!

The day before the race (Sat), was the Sri Chinmoy 24 hour race at Tooting Bec. I usually turn up to count runners for the first 10 hours, before sloping off to get some kip before my race on Sunday. It might sound boring counting runners for 10 hours, but in a strange way I kind of really enjoy it. I stayed long enough to see Geoff Oliver set a new world record for 50km in the age group 80-85 (about 7 hours, if memory serves me right) Something to aspire to. Though I’m not sure I’ll still be doing hill climbs when I’m 80…. (though Peter Greenwood with new Vet 60 record of 20.26 is worth an honourable mention)

In Macclesfield I was warming up on the rollers, and was soon working up a sweat in the balmy heat of Lancashire’s Indian Summer. I had to towel myself down to get rid of sweat before heading over to the start.

The start of the climb is the hardest and steepest part. The sign says 10%, but I don’t believe that – more like 8%. For the first couple of miles, I was pretty close to the limit, and worried I might be going too hard. Then about half way up, you start to get the first downhill and flattish sections. At this point I was tucking down into time trial bike and hoping for as much free energy as possible. One of the challenges of the Cat & Fiddle hill climb, is that there are some quite sharp corners which you can approach at quite a speed. I seemed to be on and off the tribars quite a bit. It might have been possible to shave a few more seconds here and there. But, the A 537 is a busy road, and I wasn’t going to start cutting any corners.

I felt the power dissipate a little over the last half, kind of grateful for the gentle tailwind giving a little push to the finish. After last year’s effort into a roaring headwind, this felt fast. But, I had no idea of my time (my garmin having no power source)

Guessing Power – Power meter teaches how to gauge effort better

One interesting thing about using a power meter, is that you become much better at guessing how much power you are putting out (even when you don’t use it). Before, I used to judge my effort on speed. But, with a power meter you learn that often on a hill as your speed increases, your power reduces. Speed can be very misleading to the effort you put in.

It was a guess, but I felt I was using less power over last half of the climb. But, I think I judged it OK. The steepest section is the most important place to give a big effort as long as you don’t blow up and can keep going.

TT bike v Road Bike

I opted for a time trial bike. Though remain completely uncertain whether it offered any benefit / loss over road bike. My TT bike is definitely heavier, but would have helped on the downhill. Next time there is a tailwind, I might try with road bike with clip on tribars. One thing is I quite like the TT position because I spend a lot of time on the TT bike.

New Course Records

It was funny going down the hill my mind started to think – maybe it was slow. Maybe the time was no good. I got annoyed with these thoughts so got rid of them by concentrating on something else. It was only back at the HQ I found I’d set a new course record – 18.16 – 14 seconds off Mark Lovatt’s old course record of 18.30 in 2004. 2nd was Lee Baldwin (Buxton CC) with an 18.58. Adam Kenway was just pipped to 3rd with 19.02. Ben Gillespie 4th and Bhima Bowden 5th

It was also a new course record for the women. Joanne Blakely (Champion Systems – Maxgear) set the fastest time. She just pipped Vanessa Whitfield (Velo Club St Raphael) But, no fewer than 4 ladies went under the old course record time! It was strong competition all-round.

There was a full field of 150 plus reserves, with some good times. Thanks to Weaver Valley CC for putting on event!

I haven’t seen any results online yet, these are a few photos of results board.

Some photos here.

When you’ve had a bit of a freewheel down

After Race – Mow Cop

After the race I went to check out Mow Cop on time trial bike (though suffice to say I won’t be using Time trial bike in the upcoming hill climb!_

• Cat & Fiddle

Long Hill

But, despite a headwind, it was another beautiful September day. The view from the top of Long Hill is really quite spectacular. I always think Long Hill is one of the best descents in the country. You get such a good view, especially from the top. It’s a nice long 3% decline, only spoiled by perhaps a few more cars than you would like. As a hill climb, it’s firmly in the long time trial variety. Little variation in gradient, just a fairly steady 3% all the way to the top. More on Long Hill here.

Long Hill  is one of those climb where you can spend ages trying to work out which is best equipment to use. Road bike with tribars vs time trial bike e.t.c. I’m now fairly convinced that into a headwind – a time trial bike is quicker. But, I’m getting attached to my power meter on my road bike and wanted to know my average power for the race. But, in the end, I decided you don’t get any trophies for power readings, only your time. So I just took my time trial bike. At least I didn’t waste any time in the race reading my Garmin.

I used discwheel and lightweight front wheel and timetrial bike

We were sharing the HQ with the relatively more sedate world of crown green bowls. When you go to races, it is always interesting to see how other people are spending their Sunday mornings – car boot sales, bowls – all a little more gentle on the legs than racing up a hill. I was only dissappointed not to see more flat caps at the bowls tournament. This is the north of England, but whippets and flat caps weren’t as common as legend would have you believe.

Anyway, away from the stately world of crown green bowls, I was warming up on the B road by Whaley Bridge. I then spent a few minutes on the rollers before heading over to the start line. It was quite warm and the lower part of the course felt quite fast. But, half way up, the shelter from the trees seemed to disappear. For one section, there was a considerable headwind which slowed down my speed. The last mile is a big horseshoe shape. Finally,  there was  a bit of tailwind and you remember how much difference it makes. Then you swing around back into the wind for the last effort to the line.

It was a fairly measured effort. I don’t think you can do a 4 mile climb any other way. The finish timekeeper later said, many other riders were dying as they finished the hill, but I looked as if I wasn’t making much effort. Looks can be deceiving! But, I was worried I didn’t quite get everything out. But, then I often think that on Long Hill.

My time was 13.13.0. Since 13 is my luck number, that was a cool time for the 2013 event. It’s always hard to compare years, but I think it was a relatively good time, on not the easiest day.

Results

Results

Little Bicycle and packet of crisps

Back at the HQ I found I had finished 1st, ahead of  an improving Adam Kenway (13.41) Team Zenith-www.buzzcycles.co.uk. For my first place, I achieved a lifelong dream to be awarded a King of the Mountains jersey, and also a trophy, a homemade cake (made by Lou Clark, despite giving birth this week, Congratulations!) – I even got an unofficial go on a mini bicycle designed for 3 year old George Clark (future Buxton CC star)

Trying to explain to the event organisers – when I first started this event, I had a full head of hair

After polishing off a few more homemade flapjacks, I stuffed the prizes under my jersey went back to my car and then headed off for a bit of a ride. I didn’t feel like doing too much on my time trial bike, so I just went up to Eccles Pike, then to Peaslows and over to the top of Rushup Edge, near Winnats pass.

Thanks to Bhima Bowden for all the photos, and as usual to all the people at Buxton CC for putting on event.

Results on Long HIll

• 2010 – 1st place. 12.26
• 2011 – 1st place 13.49
• 2011 – National – 5th – 13.02. (Winner Gunnar Gronlund 12.49)
• 2012 – 1st place – 13.35
• 2013 – 1st place – 13.13

Related

Long Hill

1. - intervals
2. - core strength training
3. - But, road tax was abolished in 1936.

Intervals seems to be the answer for every cycling training programme. Though I rather like the reply of one cycling wit, who said he did really hard, 110%, eye-ball out intervals, he just left a gap of one year in between them.

But, after a few days to think of a more useful answer. I would add to your intervals, try and enjoy it. That may sound like a contradiction in terms – how can you enjoy something that is inherently painful and tiring? Perhaps enjoy is the wrong word, but at some level you have to look forward to training, you have to enjoy the experience, if not in the usual pleasure-seeking way. At least you need to get some kind of Zen like satisfaction. If it’s a routine, if it’s just ticking off a training programme, it will be hard to summon up that extra zip and motivation to transcend your previous efforts.

Photo Adrian Shingler, Glossop Kinder Velo

In the past couple of years, I’ve made steady progress. I’m pleased because I’m already edging towards the magic 40 (where life begins, but the physical starts to deteriorate, we are told. – Though watching the 42 year old Chris Horner dance away from the leading contenders in the Vuelta yesterday is a great boost for us who are looking forward to competing in the VETS categories.)

I think a very important factor in making progress (especially at the higher end of racing) is the ability to have a deep motivation. You have to really love the sport to make the sacrifices and do all that interminable training. It’s no good going through the motions, you need to treat effort session as a great opportunity to make progress and enjoy it. That also means making sure you get the right balance between training and recovery. If you over-train, you won’t enjoy.

Another thought which crossed my mind yesterday was – I can’t believe I’ve got 6 or 7 weeks of intense interval training left. It’s already been a good season. In a few weeks, other riders will be hanging up their racing wheels and taking a few well earned recovery rides to the local cycling cafe. But, for the hill climb championships it’s eyes balls out until the bitter end. I decided the best way to approach the season is to take it day by day, week by week. If you think of 7 weeks of permanent intervals, it’s enough to put off even the most determined and enthusiastic hill climber. To use a great football cliche ‘Well, we’ll just concentrate on the next game.’

In the snake pass post, I left a comment - ‘never believe a hill climber, who says he eats donuts and fried marsbars‘ Perhaps I should add ‘never believe a hill climber who says they enjoy it.‘ Maybe, when you’re doing a hill climb, it it’s a very painful experience, but there’s also something that pulls you back for more. ‘Please Sir, Can I have another go?’

Related

• Hill climb training – slightly more scientific approach
• Thoughts on hill climbs - more random thoughts
• 12 and half reasons to enter a hill climb

My last race was back in early August – a very fast 10 on the V718. I’ve been looking forward to Snake Pass for quite a while. It is organised by Glossop Kinder Velo.

Snake Pass

• Snake Pass: 6 Km
• Average Grade: 5.7%
• Elev Gain 348m
• Max Gradient 7%

Last year I set a course record of 11.41. And with a forecast of a decent tailwind, I was hopeful that it would be another good day. The first challenge was to get out of bed in the morning. Only 36 hours after returning from the US, the jet lag is still around. But, fortunately it was OK. This years event had a good entry with about 75 riders. It included Team Raleigh rider, Graham Briggs. Briggs is the current National criterium champion and has been prominent in this year’s popular Tour Series of city centre criteriums. – One of the top domestic pros, but Snake pass is a long way removed from a city centre criterium! I think Graham will be more at home on a punchy climb like Monsal Head. Snake Pass suits me pretty well. It’s more of an endurance event. To be the perfect hill, I’d like it a bit steeper. But, to start the hill climb season, it’s good to avoid a really brutal out of the saddle job. You can treat Snake Pass as more of a short ‘prologue’ time trial.

The event was well organised, there was even a marshal to suggest a good car parking place.  I did a warm up on the rollers, and I was shocked at how little power I could put out on rollers, when your tyres are blown up to 140psi! I tried to do a sprint to over 300 watts, and nearly fell off as the bike wobbled at 120rpm. Rather than risk crashing into my car before the season began, I settled for some steady tempo riding and set off for the start line.

One nice thing about the start of the hill climb season is being able to get out the super-lightweight, morale boosting wheels from the loft.  With a 300 gram AX lightness front wheel, you really notice the difference – especially since I’ve been riding a 9kg ‘entry level’ road bike in New York.

This was my first race with a power meter, so I couldn’t resist having a look, but next time I won’t be looking. The start of the climb is probably the hardest, it’s slightly steeper and one bend was a strong cross wind / almost headwind, but after that there was a nice tailwind blowing you all the way to the top. Even with the tailwind, the gradient is still unrelenting and constantly up. It never seems to dip below 5%, apart from right at the very top. Half way up, I saw my power dipping, a little bad for morale, but I should have listened to advice and not bothered with looking at power. Anyway, I caught a few riders and at the top enjoyed the very fast finish, with a gale blowing you along.

Back at the HQ, I found I finished 1st and set a new course record of 11.36.6. There was some nice homemade food, and a good atmosphere amongst the riders and organising club.

Graham Briggs did a very good ride to finish second in 11.48. Third place was Ben Gillespie, Saddleworth Clarion in 13.04. 1st lady was Joanne Blakeley Champion System/Maxgear/base – 15.41 and 1st junior, David Murphy Liverpool Mercury Dolan CC, 15.40.

If it’s possible to – come first, set a new course record and still be less than satisfied – I would say it probably wasn’t as good a ride as last year. The stronger tailwind this year was probably worth more than 5 seconds. But, it’s not bad for the first race of the season. Hopefully, I can get a little faster.

• Time 11:36
• Watts – 390 Watts
• Watts / kg – 6.2
• VAM – 1701

Jackson Bridge

After driving for 3 hours to hill climb heaven in the Pennines, it would have been rude to just turn around and drive home. So I put on my training wheels and went looking for Jackson Bridge – a hill climb used in a future Huddersfield CC event. It meant going over Holme Moss and getting a little lost around Holmfirth. I eventually found it. A classic hill climb of steep gradients and twisty roads. I look forward to a real steep one later in the season. The only drawback was grovelling back on the (A628) Road between Sheffield and Manchester. It was one of the most demoralising rides for a long time, 7mph on the flat into a strong tailwind. If it’s as windy as this when the Tour comes to Yorkshire next year, the peleton will be split to pieces. But, if you’re thinking of riding the 2nd Tour stage, be warned the A623 is a horrible road for cyclists – best avoided.

Next week is another long and fast one on Long Hill, organised by Buxton CC. I hope the wind is in right direction!

Thanks to Mark and the Glossop Kinder Velo team. I think there is a £50 voucher for breaking the course record from a local cycle shop.

Photos from  Snake Pass 2013 Adrian Shingler, Flickr

 Results

Snake Pass at Glossop Kinder Velo

Snake Pass 2012

hill climbs

Reasons to enter a hill climb

At the top of Nick o Pendle in Lancashire

• You get to see some great parts of the world. Without the hill climb season, I would never have made so many trips to the Yorkshire Dales, Peak District and Lake District. Also, you get to see unexpected parts of the world, which are surprisingly nice. For example, Peaslows (the venue of the 2009 hill climb championship starts in amongst run down factories, and finishes on the moors above.)

Jim Henderson in hill climb agony on the Rake. Photo Bob Muir

• You can experience that strange sensation of pushing yourself further than ever before. I’ve done many races and many training plans, but nothing compares to the magic effort of a 3 minute hill climb. Racing beyond that thin red line, so that you become light-headed with oxygen deprivation; it is definitely something to be experienced at least once.

• Whatever you do in training, you will always be able to go deeper in an actual race.

Winnats Pass. In the days before colour TV, people would go and watch the National hill climb championships. Photo Bernard Thompson on a packed Winnats pass.

• If Winston Churchill, had written a book, ‘100 Things to do before you die‘, I’m sure, (if he knew what they were), he would put riding a hill climb in there somewhere. Old Winston might have been a bit portly for your typical hill climb, but, I’m sure he would appreciate the fighting spirit of never surrendering to a hill.

Photo Bob Muir

• Looking for a little motivation to lose a few pounds? Do you need a reason to cut back on the pies and cakes? Just thinking about entering a hill climb, is better than any magical diet pill or new diet fad.

• It’s not just 3 minutes of fun. You can incorporate into a longer training ride. Race up a hill and then go exploring in the Peak district.

• It’s not all 25% gradients. There are hill climbs with a meagre 3% gradient like the Cat ‘n Fiddle and Long Hill (pictured above) You can temporarily feel you’re in the Alpes.

• It’s no virtual competition against unknown people, it’s just good old fashioned you against a stopwatch, and your name in black and white on the finish board. You get to meet enthusiastic organisers and fellow hill climbers. The’re an eccentric bunch, but mostly harmless.
• The sun always shines in the hill climb season.
  

~

• It’s fun creating a bike for a hill climb. I can’t put it any better than  PJ writes: ‘The specialist nature of the task and the event appeals to that latent autism that all men possess.’ (Anatomy of a hill climb)

• You have a great excuse to drill holes in your saddle (should you ever need an excuse) (Jack Pullar’s hill climb bike)

Start of Catford CC Hill Climb. (Catford CC is probably the world’s longest running race)

• It’s just a strangely British tradition. No one really knows why hill climbs started in England. Belgium has Liege Bastogne Liege, we have the Cat and Bec hill climbs. It’s a bit like racing a ball of cheese down a hill or duck racing on the village green. There’s no logical reason, but as Edmund Hilary kind of said – ‘Well it was there, so I had a go’
• It’s a good way to start ticking off S.Warren’s 100 hill climbs

 Not so good reasons to enter a hill climb

1. When you travel to visit an area of outstanding natural beauty and spend 30 minutes on a turbo trainer, and a random walker looks on in bemusement and then asks – why are you cycling in a car park?
2. If you get the hill climb bug, you can end up spending rather too much money and time researching lightweight components.

How to Enter Hill climbs

You need to be a member of a cycling club.

There are a list of hill climbs here: Cycling Time trials (open hill climbs)

Some can be entered online
Some need an entry form

Related

• Hill climbs

From Wrynose pass

I drove to outside Windermere and headed off to the hills of Central Lakes. First up was Kirkstone Pass (The Struggle) from Ambleside up to Kirkstone pass.

The Struggle

• Distance 4.8 km
• Avg Grade 8.2%
• Max Gradient: 22%
• Elev Gain 403m

If I could choose any hill for the national hill climb championships, the Struggle would be be pretty high up in my choice. Long and steep, it has a wonderful start out of the village of Ambleside. Smooth tarmac and steep hairpins soon take you out of the village. This year the road surface is much improved on Kirkstone pass; the surface dressing of gravel chipping is not fast, but at least it has filled in the worst of the potholes. I got a bit overexcited on the bottom hairpins and went off a bit fast. It’s a long way to the top at Kirkstone, and you pay for any sprint at the bottom.

Ulswater down in valley

At Kirkstone I went left towards Ullswater, it’s a beautiful valley and I haven’t visited for quite a while. The descent was excruciatingly slow, with holiday traffic descending at a nice 10mph.  I told myself not to get frustrated. I was lucky to be here and not stuck in an office. At least there was time to admire the view. The only problem with Ulswater is that it is a long way around to Keswick and more hills, so at Patterdale, I just did a u-turn for a second ascent of Kirkstone pass from Ullswater direction. This makes for a fantastic climb. It tops out at perhaps 18%, it’s a nice long steep climb with ramps of 16%. But, it’s not like the Struggle where you have to fight your way up on the drops, I did most of the climb seated down, until right at the top where a light headwind made final climb hard work.

Lake Windermere from Kirkstone Pass.

After a short descent from Langdale (over a badly deteriorating road), you see the ominous warning signs of 30% unsuitable for large vehicles.

Wrynose Pass

• Distance 3 km
• Height Gain 290 metres
• Average gradient: 9.6%
• Max Gradient: 25%

First up is Wrynose. Last time, I climbed Wrnose there was a fierce headwind and it was the closest I’ve come to getting off and walking up a hill ever. Fortunately, the wind was very light, though there was a really nasty sting in the tail. After climbing 200m, it gets to be the  steepest right near the top. Whatever gear you’re in, you’ll probably find yourself weaving around the road, pulling on the bars and feeling grateful when the summit finally appears.

From Wrynose there is a short descent and temporary relief, before Hardknott looms menacingly on the horizon. The climb looks really impressive, the 30% hairpins etched into the hill side. Sometimes hills don’t look as steep as they are. But, with Hardknott it looks suitably intimidating – there is always a left turn down towards Coniston for the feint hearted. A  bit of a summer traffic jam caused me to brake at the foot of the climb. I had no momentum to use. The first ramp, is amazingly steep. There is a straight section of road which must be at least 30%, if not more so. There’s no chance of going wide around a hairpin to reduce the gradient. You just have to lean forward on the bars and go for it. It’s so steep, you can get a strange feeling that you might fall over backwards. When this is negotiated there are a several hairpins of 25-30%. I recommend going wide and reducing the steepness of the gradient. I was really enjoying the first few hairpins as I could get a bit of speed going. It felt good flinging yourself around the hairpins. But, like any of these lake District climb, you really pay for any effort on the lower slopes. There is no let up in the gradient as you grovel towards the top.

Hardknott Pass 

The descent of Hardknott towards Eskdale is not for the feint hearted. 30%, 90 degree turns are no joke. It’s much harder than even Park Rash in Yorkshire.  Make sure you check your brake blocks, before, during and after.

At the bottom of Eskdale valley, there is a mini steam railway. I bought a bottle of water and sat on a station bench. The tranquillity of tourists sitting on a small steam train providing a bizarre contrast to Hardnott pass in the distance. Eskdale is not easy to get to, but it is wonderfully quiet. I went down one minor road and for about 10 minutes so no one at all. Cyclists were pretty rare. I guess you don’t come to Eskdale for a recovery ride. After a short recovery in Eskdale, it was another u-turn and back up Hardknott – as King Henry V might say ‘Once more unto the breech…’ Hardknott from Eskdale is like  ‘going over the top’. I think it’s probably the hardest climb in England, and  this ride didn’t change my mind. At the bottom, you are hit with 25% hairpins. After a relative respite in the middle section, it then goes up to a couple of 30% hairpins. Pray there isn’t a car coming down and allow yourself to go wide. After the last 30% ramp, it levels off just a little; if you are so inclined, you could ‘sprint’ to the finish.

Incongruously on Hardknott there was a car trying to pull up a big trailer. Perhaps he was going for the record of most unsuitable vehicle to climb and descend Hardknott pass. At the bottom of the climb,  I saw the trailer in the distance climbing at about 1mph. At one point it was far off in the distance, I nearly caught it by the time I got to the top. I did get stuck behind it  on the descent, which proved to be a 2mph affair. I finished the ride with an average speed of 14.5 mph. Though I’m glad I didn’t have to come to a stop on the ascent.

You’ve done well if you didn’t have to get off and walk up Hardknott. After Hardknott pass, Wrynose (west to east) feels a bit of an anticlimax. But, the view looking down to Ambleside takes your breath away.

After another trip over Langdale, it was a few flat miles back to Windermere. It was a shame to only do 70 miles and miss out on Honister pass and the roads around Buttermere, but fortunately or unfortunately I have two races at the weekend, and didn’t want to overcook it. It will be back on the time trial bike tomorrow to try and get used to 30mph rather than 14mph.

It was a wonderful time in the Lakes, the scenery is as good as the cycling.  For a hill climber, it is the seventh heaven of delight. If you like steep hairpins and relentless climbing, you have to make an annual pilgrimage to the Lakes. The Alps may have L’Alpe d’Huez, but they will never have the 30% hairpins of Hardknott pass.

Lowest gearing was 39*28. Though I would happily have taken a compact. I was often in lowest gear at the bottom of climbs.

Related

• Hill climbs
• Wrynose pass
• Hills of the Fred Whitton challenge

Park Rash

The first climb of the day is Park Rash.

• length 2.3km
• height gain: 230 metres
• Max gradient 25%

Park Rash is perhaps the hardest climb in Yorkshire, and that is quite something. Leaving the village of Kettlewell, you have a short 20% climb over some gritty road surface. If you have difficulty on this hairpin, I’d turn back because this is just the hors d’oeuvre for the main climb around the corner. After this first climb, there’s a gentle descent and you see the foot of Park Rash proper in the distance. The double hairpins of 25% look suitably menacing. It’s a thing of beauty or thing of fear, depending on your point of view. At the foot of the climb, I saw a team of mountaineers all kitted up in climbing equipment. I don’t think they were just going to climb Park Rash, but it seemed appropriate.

The start is the hardest with two vicious hairpins. The only thing is to try and go wide and avoid the steepest, shortest route. With only a 39*25 gearing, I had to maintain a stiff tempo, which soon gets you close to the limit. After the worst section is over, the gradient eases up – but only relatively -  it is still 15-17% for a considerable drag. You can sprint up the first two hairpins, but there’s no respite for this long drag to the misty summits. In terms of pacing, my relatively high gearing made me go really hard for first section, which made final section really hard work.

Park Rash at the top. I lasted visited Park Rash on Dec 21. 2012

Half way up, the climb does finally relent with a section of flat, but it’s insufficient recovery before you grovel up the last 15% climb to the bleak moor land and a sign saying ‘Welcome to Richmondshire’. I never knew Richmondshire existed, so at least I learnt something from doing the climb.

The top of Park Rash always seems to be wet – either raining of a fine drizzle. I just did a u-turn and went back down. Near the top there was  a film crew and vintage car parked on the road. Someone had obviously chosen Park Rash as a suitable setting for some 1950s film or Heartbeat type TV programme. They gave me a friendly nod. Perhaps there were smiling because they thought I was lost. I mean, who would cycle up to the top of Park Rash, only to do a u-turn 5 minutes later? I think it would be unconvincing to say, I wanted to go and visit Richmondshire for a moment.

By the way, the descent down Park Rash is really tough. You need to slow down to a snails-pace on the 25% hairpins. My mother always tells me to get off and walk down these descents. Like a good son, I always nod my head and smile – just as I promise to blow my nose on a handkerchief, whilst racing at 30 mph. But, if ever there was a descent to get off and walk, Park Rash might be the one.

Arncliffe Crag

Arnclife to Nab End

• length 2.6km
• height gain: 190m
• max gradient 18%

After Park Rash, I went back down valley to Arncliffe, for the first ascent up to Malham Tarn moor. Mostly 16%, but a headwind made it a tough climb. Up on the top of the moor, there was a strong headwind all the way to Settle. Unfortuantely, it’s not a consistent climb to the top of the moor. There are quite a few ups and downs to break the rhythm of the climb.

Leaving Settle there is a great climb out of the town towards Kirby Malham. There is a short section of cobbles, reminiscent of some Belgian bergs before the steepest section of 22%, which soon takes you clear out of the town. If you look behind, you get a great view of Settle and the Settle-Carlisle line, but it’s not easy to admire the view until nearer the top, where the gradient eases. After steep section, a wonderful tailwind pushed me up the whole climb. It was pretty fast in places and then a nice descent into Kirby Malham.

Full High hill Lane climb

• Length: 5km
• Height gain: 230 metres
• max gradient: 20%

Malham Cove Climb

Malham cove is another tough climb.

• 2.3km
• height gain: 190 metres
• max gradient: 21%

The hardest part of Malham Cove is after half way. A 20% hairpin makes it a tough finish. You need to be wary of this part, as it comes at a time, when you’ve already been climbing for quite a bit. On a later descent, I stopped to take some photos, and it is really a great view. Not something you might appreciate on the way up, but it is worth being a bit of a tourist, if you get chance. I took the photo of Malham Cove, from about half way up.

There is another way up to the top of Malham Tarn – taking the East side. This ascent is slightly easier. Not as steep, and more of a gradual climb. Yesterday, there was also the benefit of a slight tailwind, until the top where you come around and finish off the climb into prevailing westerly. At the top it’s mostly flat, but is very exposed.

Langcliffe Scar Climb

• distance: 1.5km
• height gain: 155 metres
• max gradient: 18%
• average gradient: 10%

One of the last climbs of the day was Langcliffe Scar climb. From the village of Langcliffe, 1 mile north of Settle, there is a great climb. Again there are a couple of steep hairpins which make you climb quickly off the valley floor. At the top of the climb, there are great views back down to Settle. The road also goes through an interesting Limestone cut out.

Related

Cycling Yorkshire dales

The end of the world Yorkshire style

Hill Climbs

Ribblehead viaduct

It never really made much profit and has, a few times, narrowly avoided been closed down by penny pinching bureaucrats. But, fortunately it survives and the early morning train was full of walkers and cyclists heading out into the Dales. It was a very different atmosphere to your usual commuting train. Their was a buzz of excitement in the conversation, you even got friends of the Settle-Carlisle line coming along to offer teas, snacks and handbooks. It may not be profitable, but it’s a good service for those wanting to enjoy the Dales.
Dent station happens to be the highest train station in England at 1,150 feet above sea level. Quite a convenient point to start a bike ride. The train journey had also gone into a strong north westerly, leaving an ideal tailwind for most of ride home. I started near the top of a fearsome climb from Dentdale  to Garsdale. I took it easy to Garsadale and then plunged down into Hawes, relieving memories of the Circuit of the Dales earlier in the year. At Hawes, it was time to head into the high hills, climbing over Buttertubs pass (a climb featuring in the 2014 Tour de France.

Over the other side in Wensleydale, I took a nice tailwind towards Reeth. From Reeth I headed north to take my first look at the Stang hill climb. This years national hill climb course.

The Stang is a pretty tough climb.

• 3.8 km
• average gradient 7%
• Height gain:

At the start, there is a considerably long section of 16%, there are two downhill sections, which means going from your bottom gear into your big ring.

I took about 10 and a half minutes, though I was carrying an impressively large saddle bag with waterproofs e.t.c. I would estimate the winning time might be around nine minutes or nine and half minutes. I couldn’t work out where the wind was coming from, but perhaps a crosswind.

Tan Hill

After descending the Stang, I went further north to Tan Hill. In Simon Warren’s 100 climbs, I seem to remember him saying it was a nice gradual climb. But, it proved one of toughest climbs of the day. It was into a strong north-westerly headwind. The bleak environment offering no shelter, just a long hard drag  seemingly forever.

It was a relief to reach Tan Hill inn (the highest inn in England) 1,732m  – 532 metres above sea level. I saw a few cyclists emerging from the inn looking pretty cheerful. It was tempting to stop. But, it was cold and spitting and didn’t want legs to freeze up – it was still 60 miles from home. I had to put my arm warmers back on because my hands were freezing. On the positive side, there’s a pretty good descent back to Keld. At Keld, I had Hobson’s Choice. Buttertubs from the north or go East and take the Askrigg climb. I choose the Askrigg climb because I thought there might be more of a tailwind. It starts off with vicious 25% hairpins, and then grinds its way through the moors to over 500 metres.

From Askrigg the next stop was Hawes and a final big climb of the day Fleet Moss from the north. I haven’t done this climb for a long time. It starts off gradually and gets harder and harder. Fleet Moss is 589 metres high – one of the highest roads in England – and highest in Yorkshire. From Hawes, there is a climb of 330 metres It was definitely a day for the ‘highest’.

From the top of Fleet Moss, it was a lovely run down the Wharfe valley. With a tailwind and relatively flat roads, it felt fast after all that grinding up 20% slopes. I was enjoying myself so much, I rather unwisely choose to finish off with one last climb over the Cow and Calf.

Total for the day was 107 miles, 3,000 metres of climbing at over 6 hours. Not perfect training for a flat 100 mile TT, but it was very enjoyable. I could get used to catching a train into a headwind and gaining a few free metres into bargain…

• Cycling Yorkshire
• Cycling in hills of Yorkshire

Whiteleaf hill is a climb of 127 metres, averaging 10%. However, half way up, there is a sharp bend and steep section of 16%. Whiteleaf is number  23 of S.Warren’s 100 climbs

Whiteleaf hill

• Distance 1.4km
• Avg Grade 8.6%
• Max gradient: 17%
• Elev Difference 128m
• Elev Gain 126m

After getting to the top, I did a u-turn and went back down. The descent is quite technical and so there is considerable braking. The road is quite quiet, though at the bottom on the flatter section, there were quite a few parked cars by the school. But, in the steeper section it’s quite quiet.

After the first ascent and descent I went back up and down. I managed 8 ascents in 55 minutes. 8 ascents of 126 metres was just over 1,000 metres. So 1,000 metres took 55 minutes. Sometimes, I really wish I lived in the Alps. 1,000 metres of steady climbing without having to go up and down short 17% gradients. It was a pretty hard effort. Because the climb is quite steep, it really works your lower back and shoulders. There is a lot of pulling on the bike. After 55 minutes of climbing, I had an average speed of 14mph for a rather difficult circuit. There was nice northerly tailwind to push me up the climb, though in the wooded section it is quite sheltered. It was quite a good training session. Basically 5 minutes of hard effort, with 2 minutes recovery. Probably quite good training for a 25 mile time trial. After 1 hour on Wheatleaf, I’d had enough of that hill and went onto some new climbs towards Amersham and Chesham.

Chesham Underground station. It’s kind of interesting to go out for a ride in the hilly Chilterns and come across an outpost of the London underground. Chesham is part of the Metropolitan line. I guess the direct rail link to London has made Chesham a pretty desirable part of the world to live in. You can’t cycle around these parts without seeing huge opposition to HS2 everywhere. I wouldn’t really mind a train line through these parts of the world. For me it’s big speeding SUV’s which have damaged the environment and quality of life around these parts, not a train line. But, I didn’t stop to argue with the locals. I just bought some more water in a Chesham newsagent and made my way back home. A good 100 miles with 2,000 metres of climbing, including 1,000 metres up old Whiteleaf. I’m glad I didn’t end up in Cambridge. The Chiltern hills are definitely more fun than racing up and down the flat fens.