100 Great Cycling Climbs

[ukbabz]

doesthiswork said:

In case anyone is planning to do Streatley Hill - it's closed next Sunday, 25th (hopefully for resurfacing as it's completely shagged at the top but seems an odd day to pick).

Pretty sure there are roadworks planned on there too.

[flight147z]

After a 10 month hiatus of ticking off climbs I did my first 2 of 2021 this morning, Ilam Moor (Midlands Book) and Larkstone Lane (#131) in the South Peak District

I'm up to 43/75 for the Midlands book now. Might make those my focus this year rather than the National climbs

Larkstone Lane is in the background in the pic below

[Daveyraveygravey]

I see Simon's Insta feed, so I know he is out and about at the moment, Scotland and Wales early last week, Kent on Friday and then Sussex on Saturday. He did Streat Bostal, Chantry Lane and Bignor, I like to think I am at least one of the nagging gits that has been hounding him to try Bignor. He rates it as the toughest hill to the south of London, with which I agree.

Coincidentally, I had planned to ride the Sussex/Hants route from his recent book yesterday, albeit with a couple of tweaks of my own. I noticed he missed Bignor and Bexley, so I had them in, and then a couple he alerted me to. It was my longest ride for 3 years, and just checking Strava I was only a little bit slower than then, but managed 200m more climbing and it was roasting yesterday.

I had a problem early on, I needed the loo. I stopped for a wee, and quickly realised I needed the other one, but was miles out in the woods. Made it to Fernhurst, but the public loos are shut and being rebuilt. Got to Midhurst, and there were some fantastic facilities, maybe because the council offices are near by. I could even take the bike in the baby changing one, so didn't have to worry about some fecker nicking it!

[TheDrownedApe]

Not done any...yet. But then I'm a muscular 108kg therefore not built for the lumpy stuff.

However new bike coming soon (been delayed build another rmonth) and then some serious JOGLE practice beckons so if there are any within 40 miles of me (southam, warks) then i guess they will give me some incentive to push on

[willld]

TheDrownedApe said:

any within 40 miles of me (southam, warks) then i guess they will give me some incentive to push on

Probably not in the book, but Edge Hill & Sun Rising Hill are pretty near Southam and a reasonable test

[TheDrownedApe]

willld said:

Probably not in the book, but Edge Hill & Sun Rising Hill are pretty near Southam and a reasonable test

Yeah i used to live in Gaydon so i am very familiar with all 3 sides of Edge hill and Burton dasset hills. Now i live in Napton and have a few cheeky short climbs nearby including the short but brutal (15% max) one in Priors Marston

edit: Oh it seems Edgehill is No 136 [tick] 1 down

Edited by TheDrownedApe on Wednesday 16th June 08:49

[flight147z]

Simon has released a list of another 100 national climbs to complete via the 100 climbs app, "The 100 Climbs X-list"

Link

[Daveyraveygravey]

I think that is what he was doing back in June. Will download the X list at the end of the month.

[ukbabz]

https://veloviewer.com/100Climbs/X-List

For those on veloviewer, there's the list as a leaderboard.

I've done 1 on a past ride, really need to up my bagging game with these climbs!

[Daveyraveygravey]

I've done 3, but I think it's my fauly he included at least one of them, the toughest climb in the south east, Bignor.

Trying to string a ride together, there are 4 in a line from Luton to Oxford, works out at about 140km and 1600 m of climbing. Would have to drive to Luton though

[johnpsanderson]

I’ve ridden a few of these, having grown up a couple of miles from Pea Royd Lane, and my parents now living in Mow Cop.

If anyone is heading to the Peaks, as well as all those already mentioned, I always suggest Beeley Moor as well as the road from Hathersage up to the gliding club at Abney. The latter I’ve ridden at the end of a ride from Edale via Strines Moor, Holme Moss and Snake Pass. Around 80miles but a great days riding.

[johnpsanderson]

TheDrownedApe said:

Not done any...yet. But then I'm a muscular 108kg therefore not built for the lumpy stuff.

However new bike coming soon (been delayed build another rmonth) and then some serious JOGLE practice beckons so if there are any within 40 miles of me (southam, warks) then i guess they will give me some incentive to push on

Check out the Beacon RCC ‘Little Mountain’ TT course. The last few years it’s incorporated the Shelsey Walsh hill climb. It also uses Ankerdine which may not be in the 100 list but is a seriously tough climb.

[flight147z]

johnpsanderson said:

I’ve ridden a few of these, having grown up a couple of miles from Pea Royd Lane, and my parents now living in Mow Cop.

If anyone is heading to the Peaks, as well as all those already mentioned, I always suggest Beeley Moor as well as the road from Hathersage up to the gliding club at Abney. The latter I’ve ridden at the end of a ride from Edale via Strines Moor, Holme Moss and Snake Pass. Around 80miles but a great days riding.

Beeley Moor is a great road but I'd avoid it for now

Derbyshire Council don't have a great history of fixing roads in the Peaks quickly either so it could be out of action for quite a while!

[flight147z]

Just wrapping up a long weekend in North Wales - highly recommend Ruthin as a base for some excellent climbs

There are 5 from the original 100 in the area and I did them all this weekend

Horseshoe Pass has possibly taken the title of my favourite climb in the UK, very long gradual climb which is similar to Snake Pass with the benefit of an amazing view at the top (which Snake unfortunately lacks!)

Penbarra is a really tough climb right out of Ruthin, definitely the hardest one in the area and another amazing view at the top

The Road to Hell is a very long climbs which goes up and down quite a lot after quite a tough start. Quite similar to Tan Hill. Wasn't that impressed on the lower slopes but the top is amazing - I've not been anywhere that feels this remote since I was in the Scottish Highlands and the misty wet weather certainly helped with that - on the way back down I also did a bit of the "Evo Triangle" - amazing roads and barely any cars about

The Shelf and Moel Arthur aren't quite as memorable (but they face tough competition with the above!)

Pics below

[ukbabz]

I finally managed to tick off the Bwlch on a mountain bike trip to Afan, got there early with my road bike in the boot before driving over. Having done the other 2 climbs during various sportives.

A really nice climb, in spite of the wet conditions.

I've managed to do 14 of the original 100 now, and aim to get quite a few more in this year on various trips.

[vexed]

flight147z said:

Just wrapping up a long weekend in North Wales - highly recommend Ruthin as a base for some excellent climbs

There are 5 from the original 100 in the area and I did them all this weekend

Horseshoe Pass has possibly taken the title of my favourite climb in the UK, very long gradual climb which is similar to Snake Pass with the benefit of an amazing view at the top (which Snake unfortunately lacks!)

Penbarra is a really tough climb right out of Ruthin, definitely the hardest one in the area and another amazing view at the top

The Road to Hell is a very long climbs which goes up and down quite a lot after quite a tough start. Quite similar to Tan Hill. Wasn't that impressed on the lower slopes but the top is amazing - I've not been anywhere that feels this remote since I was in the Scottish Highlands and the misty wet weather certainly helped with that - on the way back down I also did a bit of the "Evo Triangle" - amazing roads and barely any cars about

The Shelf and Moel Arthur aren't quite as memorable (but they face tough competition with the above!)

Pics below

This post inspired me to go and do the horseshoe pass today, have never been over it before despite it being in striking distance from Shrewsbury! Agree it is a lovely climb.

[paulrockliffe]

Didn't realise there was a thread for this, I've probably ticked off 40 of them over the years. I actually live right at the bottom of the one in Durham that climbs out of Lanchester, if I ride the better bikes around here I will tack it on at the end if I'm not tired enough.

Anyone else got one local? Mine is a nice climb, but not the one I would have picked necessarily.

[ArnageWRC]

I've never understood the fascination for climbing.......and all the people obsessing about all the climbs they've completed. Now, if it was 100 Great Descents, then that would make sense........descending requires some skill - climbing is merely about fitness, and w/kg......

[flight147z]

ArnageWRC said:

I've never understood the fascination for climbing.......and all the people obsessing about all the climbs they've completed. Now, if it was 100 Great Descents, then that would make sense........descending requires some skill - climbing is merely about fitness, and w/kg......

The descent is the reward for the climb

[flight147z]

vexed said:

This post inspired me to go and do the horseshoe pass today, have never been over it before despite it being in striking distance from Shrewsbury! Agree it is a lovely climb.

Excellent road isn't it a good one to have within reasonable driving distance. A long way for me so unlikely to get another chance for a while

I'm up to 53 now. They get harder and harder to add as the ones that are left are all quite far from home!