NIghtrider

Peacenik

As a shift worker and regular midnight (and later) commuter I've noticed cycling up familiar hills seems much much easier in the dark. I'm referring specifically to the hills in Richmond Park which are truly in darkness at night due to the lack of street lights.

Is this a trick of the mind or does the my body actually put more power into the pedals because my mind's not daunted by the sight of the hill stretching upwards?

Anonymous

I have the same thing cycling to essex from kent on dark mornings, seems you are going faster than usual in the dark, cant explain it, but it is good!

Sirius631

I think that when you can't see the summit of a hill it becomes less daunting, so there is less of a tendancy to sit up and take it easier. I think the same goes for switch-back climbs , even in daylight. Riding hills in the dark can thus be faster, unlike on a twisty country lane where you are forced to take more care.

fatandwheezing

I've definitely felt climbing to be easier if I stare just in front of the bike rather than up at the hill crest, again it's possible it could be something to do with positioning, and better pedalling as a result, but not being able to see the end seems to be preferable than seeing the end approaching very slowly.

jellybellywmb

and when its dark you think the boogy man is behind you so you ride quicker! :twisted:

redddraggon

Peacenik wrote:

the hills in Richmond Park

Are they proper hills?

gergusmcbergus

i reckon that its all psyhological. in the same way that going back to school after the summer holidays is never actually as bad as doing it, i thnik that if you can't see the hill ahead, you can't think, even subconciously, 'christ, thats a bastard of a hil, i can't make it'

Anonymous

All cycling is easier at night, it's because it seems like you are going faster than you really are.

At night on some roads going 16mph seems like going 22+mph on the same roads in the day.

Peacenik

redddraggon wrote:

Peacenik wrote:

the hills in Richmond Park

Are they proper hills?

:oops: Found out!
Actually the hill I'm mainly referring to is the upward slope from Roehampton Gate going anti-clockwise. It's not Alpe d'Huez or the Ventoux but it's a hill nonetheless and I definitely race up it much much faster on my way home from my shifts at two in the morning.

The alluring thought of that bottle of beer in the fridge might also be causing me to pedal more rapidly though.

Anonymous

What percentage is it? If it is like 5% it's just a bump.

mwo

See for yourself.

Bhima

I used to be a nightrider.

Hills are easier at night because the temperature is much lower. When you are going less than 13/14mph up a hill, there is not enough wind to cool you down so you overheat. It's why I prefer cycling hills in the winter (if it's dry). My fastest ascent of the Cat & Fiddle in the peak district was done on NYE last year because it was -3c and I was able to sprint up the whole climb out of the saddle without breaking a sweat.

gbs

willhub wrote:

What percentage is it? If it is like 5% it's just a bump.

It is known as Sawyer's Hill and the stats are not impressive - barely 5% at its steepest and 2.5 k between Roehampton and Richmond Gates but for some reason it is frequently mentioned in postings.

antfly

These southeners don`t know what hills are.

roger_merriman

yup sawyers hill is just a rise, fun on the way down though, broom hill is while very short steep ish 10/15% at a rough stab. Richmound park while not full of mountains is a reasonbly lumpy 7 miles.

gbs

roger merriman wrote:

yup sawyers hill is just a rise, fun on the way down though, broom hill is while very short steep ish 10/15% at a rough stab. Richmound Park while not full of mountains is a reasonbly lumpy 7 miles.

Agreed re lumpiness. FYI Broomfield Hill has a max pitch of c 12.5% - all data from Bikehike.co.uk.

Why is that certain folk like to comment re the SE? What we lowlanders find challenging will no doubt be dismissed as rather flat by the mountain men but so what!

NWLondoner

gbs wrote:

willhub wrote:

What percentage is it? If it is like 5% it's just a bump.

It is known as Sawyer's Hill and the stats are not impressive - barely 5% at its steepest and 2.5 k between Roehampton and Richmond Gates but for some reason it is frequently mentioned in postings.

i think it's because you drag your ass up that hill/lump. Because of it's length and gradient/lack of it is hard for some of us to get the right momentum.

Dark Hill and Broomfield are harder work but easier to get up and over as you know it's a hill and can get the grearing right.


I personally hate going clockwise between dark hill and the top of sawyers hill.

roger_merriman

gbs wrote:

roger merriman wrote:

yup sawyers hill is just a rise, fun on the way down though, broom hill is while very short steep ish 10/15% at a rough stab. Richmound Park while not full of mountains is a reasonbly lumpy 7 miles.

Agreed re lumpiness. FYI Broomfield Hill has a max pitch of c 12.5% - all data from Bikehike.co.uk.

Why is that certain folk like to comment re the SE? What we lowlanders find challenging will no doubt be dismissed as rather flat by the mountain men but so what!

got to be honest i can be guilty of that, but the downs and RP make for some good riding and there are some steep hills out there, off road i've not really found the downs terribly intresting but lovely network of lanes in the downs.