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There is a book called 100 Greatest Cycling Climbs (and a follow-up with another 100 in it).
It's pretty cool. I got both for Christmas and I'm working my way slowly through the local ones.
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http://www.amazon.co.uk/100-Greatest-Cycling-Climbs-Cyclists/dp/0711231206
The pages look like this, so they have a few top-trumps-style stats and a nice little commentary.
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I thought it might be quite fun to try and piece together something similar for offroad climbs.
Sooooooo
To start the ball rolling, I thought I'd throw in one of my favourite localish ones.
Stats all from Strava
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[b]Cut Gate[/b] - from the Langsett side all the way to the Cairn.
Peak District National Park
Rather than include the full climb from Langsett, I've chosen the trimmed one that is most commonly ridden as part of a North America Loop, or an out-and-back.
This climb is long, very varied and technical. Only a couple of small freewheels on the whole of the 3km.
It's one of those Peak District climbs that you know is all rideable, but piecing it all together in the one attempt is a big challenge.
We normally ride as a group, so rarely do the full climb without a pause to check that everyone is ok.
Cut Gate is best done after prolonged dry weather as the top section (the last 1km) is mostly a peat bog.
Time it right though (we annually do a hot Summer's evening loop of it) and the dry soft peat, narrow singletrack and loose rocks combine to make it one of the most memorable places to ride a bike.
The feeling of exposure from the top is unmatched in the Peak District imo. Endless moor. Bleak and stunning.
It starts with a long singletrack section with a couple of steep rocky sections to catch you out. Then it transitions onto an expertly reinforced rocky section with a ford and some slabs. After that, it's a wide sunken peat section. Sandy and loose in Summer, wheel-sucking bog in Winter. Eventually it eases off as you arrive at a cairn, which is a good place to rest before an epic descent down towards Howden Reservoir.
The climb also makes a good descent - One of the few out-and-back rides we do.
Photo: The earlier singletrack section. Looking back down towards Langsett.
[url= https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2608/3959348081_eb1c379cfd_b.jp g" target="_blank">https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2608/3959348081_eb1c379cfd_b.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/72SGf6 ]DSCF2206[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/people/30286100@N00/ ]dirtywahoo[/url], on Flickr
Link to Strava Segment:
http://www.strava.com/segments/3281241
Stats from Strava:
[url= https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8630/16274979598_6fe52ca103_b.jp g" target="_blank">https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8630/16274979598_6fe52ca103_b.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/qNawqw ]cut-gate[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/people/77539246@N00/ ]thingswelike[/url], on Flickr
If you want to add one, it might be worth 'reserving' it with a post, so that you don't spend half an hour duplicating a climb someone else is also working on 🙂
Could make a nice blog if it gets traction (pun intended).
🙂
My vote is for: Keppel Cove on Helvellyn.
From the start of the track just past the YHA/mine works to the first summit, the cairn at the top of Whiteside. You can see it's all rideable as you push your bike up it but it takes a better man than I to do it. Espicially as it kicks up at the zig zags. (not pictured)
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jekkyl - would this is a be a suitable Strava link for it - 17% average grade!!!?
http://www.strava.com/segments/2575014
3.5 mph avg for the KOM, blimey.
Nice idea this.
17% avg grade! jesus, yup that'll do.
Would put the climb thats part of the Doethie loop in there, brutally steep and loose rocks for the first half.
[/url][url= https://www.strava.com/segments/728052 ]https://www.strava.com/segments/728052[/url]
My effort on Keppel Cove, 42:44 . Must try harder ! 😯
http://app.strava.com/segments/5256289 — Brinmore tramway all the way up
Great climb into the heart of the Brecon Beacons..
Carn Ban Mor is a good old fireroad slog. Good height gain - must be in the region of 2000 ft?
My effort on Keppel Cove, 42:44 . Must try harder !
You are a couple of minutes quicker than me.
I was a bit ill though, honest.
Kepple Cove looks more like a hard walk than a ride to me 😯
The zig zags up Helvelyn are NFM - Not for Mortals IMHO.
You would also be a damn good rider to keep traction never mind fit as can be.
No idea of the time up but we rode from the lake
San Marino is the only good one near me and I dont do strava...not an epic but as tough as it gets locally
The 2 climbs to Bwlch Trumau on the Westen side of the Black Mountains deserve a mention. Both long grassy climbs on Bridleway that ride best when frozen solid or bone dry.
The Eastern approach is a long relatively easy pull with just a short brutal pull around a final switchback before the summit.
https://app.strava.com/segments/3266369
The Southwestern approach is shorter and steeper and is pretty relentless, though completely rideable if you have the gears and legs. Not a nice climb without a granny ring!
https://app.strava.com/segments/3992290
Whichever approach you take you will be rewarded by a choice of 4 different possible descents or some beautiful (cheeky) high level continuations.
Best done on sunny summer days where you can reward yourself for the climb by laying back in the heather on the summit and listened to the skylarks and the bees. Pure heaven.
It would make a great book , i too got the 100 climbs for my Birthday last year and have done a few . An off road one would sell plenty .
San Marino is the only good one near me and I dont do strava...not an epic but as tough as it gets locally
Yeah, it's a great climb as it's just about do-able in the right conditions. Not too damp and not too dry.
The slog up from bottom of Wilderswood to George's Lane (left turn halfway up) is another real good test - but not of national standard.
Never done it up all the way - not tried that is
The tarmac version[ turn left descending after the rocks or on exiting the woods past cottages then point up] is named bastard tarmac very steep mercifully short painful on the SS
San marion is ok I once rode it after about 25 miles,
DONK of this parish rode up and met me half way up and then "encouraged" me to the top
IIRC he is about 12 mins and can SS San marino 😯
Never even tried as what would be the point.
Porter Clough, Sheffield.
really not *that* hard in the grand scheme of things, but conquering P-C is surely a right of passage for every mtb-ing resident of the green city.
I've no idea where some of these are - any chance of a map link?
A pic from flickr/google images will help us see what type of climb it is too.
You don't have to 'do strava' to find an appropriate segment, I don't think. At least it helps us see which direction you like and where the best start and finish are.
shortbread_fanylion - MemberCarn Ban Mor is a good old fireroad slog. Good height gain - must be in the region of 2000 ft?
Is this it?
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That's the descent
Cullardoch (spelling...).
A long, springy grass and moss unrelenting upwards death spiral...
They don't all have to be near-impossible! Although I was going to write-up Jacob's Ladder 🙂
Garburn
Walna Scar
High Cup Nick
Skiddaw from Keswick
One that could make road and mountain?
The Col de Killin
The Brinore Tramroad out of Talybont on Usk. 5 miles of rocky double track with some challenging sections and some of the best views in Welsh mountain biking when you get near the top.
There's a climb from brig-o-turk to the top of Ben Ledi. Technically not to challenging but enough to break a lesser man's Soul.
Dumyat for a good technical challenge.
Mackenzie River for a non-uk technical orgy.
Landy track up the back of Ben Rinnes is an absolute beast. Steep and loose but annoyingly just do-able.
Dreghorn climb into the Pentlands.
Up the zig-zags to Cairngorm (from Glenmore for bonus points)
Glen Clova to the pony hut.
To the bridge is doable....not by me, three fails in dry conditions. A carry for a bit and then back on the bike for the final bit. It wrecks me every time.
Stunning scenery when you look up.
AndrewJ - is this a decent description of Brinore Tramroad:
http://teamabthreepeaks.blogspot.co.uk/2013/04/brinore-tramway-and-trefil-quarry.html
Hairscary - are these photos of the same climb you mean - looks beautiful!
http://www.trailscotland.co.uk/forums/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=4368
One of them:
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Garburn
Which side?
From Troutbeck it's a long slog but almost enjoyable.
From Kentmere - I doff my cap if you're cleaned it!
Are we talking about climbs that you've a reasonable chance of climbing clean without prior knowledge or ones that you have to work at? (In climbing terms: on-sight vs redpoint)
I'll add:
Fremington Edge in Swaledale
Barden Moor from Rylstone
Dammit Welshfarmer, I was going to post that one.
Only all the way from the bottom, it's a good 500m of ascent. Known to us as Tal y Maes or the Hermitage. Your segment doesn't cover it all though.
whitestone - MemberAre we talking about climbs that you've a reasonable chance of climbing clean without prior knowledge or ones that you have to work at? (In climbing terms: on-sight vs redpoint)
I'll add:
Fremington Edge in Swaledale
Barden Moor from Rylstone
Just 'greatest' for whatever reason. Challenge, views, epicness, length, fame, etc, etc.
I used to do Barden Moor every week for years in the late 80s. End up at Bolton Abbey for a dip in the river in Summer. I used to love the top in summer, but then I think they resurfaced it just after I left ('91ish). Is it still good? The first bit was just a fire-road/double-track around a tricky hairpin iirc.
If I bought the book I'd be looking for the climbs to be "reasonably" climable. If not it would be 100 best of road descents !
The only bit that got resurfaced (well in recent years - post 2000) was on the moor top just before it joins the estate track. It used to have a "duck board" section made out of railway sleepers that ended halfway across the boggy bit! From the fell gate to there (heading east) is fine moorland singletrack. The main climb is fine, I used to go up to Rylstone crag climbing in the 1980s and don't remember it being any different. The first steep section has been partly washed out but it's still rideable.
Mastiles Lane's another obvious Dales one. As much because of the look of it as the riding:
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Maybe also the from Hawkswick over Old Cote Moor?
I really enjoyed my climb from [b]Loch Torridon up to Locg an Eoin[/b], but I'm not familiar enough with the other options in the area to know if it qualifies as 'greatest'.
http://app.strava.com/activities/135485723
Anyone from that area or with more experience?
I also really enjoyed another climb there, but it doesn't seem half as well-ridden: http://app.strava.com/segments/1517216
[b]lemonysam[/b] - that's a great photo of Mastiles. Does look good.
[b]whitestone[/b] - cheers for the info - I'll have to revisit
Thing with the "100 best road climbs" is, all you need are stronger legs and better functioning lungs. If you can't ride no 87 now give it 2 or 3 weeks solid practice and you'll get it sorted. You could spend years of your life practising jacobs ladder or skiddaw and still never get a clean run.
Garburn from Dubbs is a good shout as a climb since it was surfaced (and no doubt ruined a damn good descent - I never tried it myself) not too tech but a long long climb, lungbuster - worth a go, descent into kentmere is none to shabby too 🙂
Longsleddale to top of gatesgarth is another "not for mortals" but [i]in sections[/i] is fairly climbable up till brownhowe bottom then it's just silly steep - like the keppel cove zigzags
<edit> Did mastilles years ago, think I made it ninety odd percent of the way up, doubt I'd do aswell today, been meaning to go back for a rematch but lakes is easier to get to 😕
Fremmy edge seems tantalisingly doable aswell
hing with the "100 best road climbs" is, all you need are stronger legs and better functioning lungs. If you can't ride no 87 now give it 2 or 3 weeks solid practice and you'll get it sorted. You could spend years of your life practising jacobs ladder or skiddaw and still never get a clean run.
Yes, and one person's idea of a good climb is another's hell. Still - It's not like I'm actually making a book or setting an actual 100 limit, so just fire away (as you have).
Re: Jacobs, I'll probably post it properly later today, but I've only ever heard of one person cleaning it - Nick Craig. The bottom section is getting trickier. I've cleaned all but the last 10 yards a few times (several years ago). I've even tried to stop, rest and then do the last 10 yards and still can't.
Doesn't matter if you don't clean it - can still be a great experience.
Can I nominate a slightly off beat one - which would definitely be a 1/10 difficulty rating but I think merits a place for its length (plus I haven't thought of any good NE ones yet). Blaydon to Collier Law is nigh on 40km of continuous (and completely beautiful) climbing, albeit at less than a 1% gradient.