decent hill climbs around northampton/ bedford?
godihatehills
Posts: 237
im looking to recover some of my lost form from years past as now Ive stopped rowing and continued eating Im a good 8 kilos over a decent (for me ) racing weight. Ive got some sportives lined up this year, etape caledonia and the dragon as well as a couple of 24 hour (mtb and road races) so was looking for somewhere I can go out and session and get used to suffering up hills again..... anyone know of any good ones or a decent route that'll help get me back in shape for late spring summer?
Im about to start commuting to /from work 18 miles each way which takes me an hour in traffic- so hopefully that'll give you some idea as to current ability
ta in advance
Im about to start commuting to /from work 18 miles each way which takes me an hour in traffic- so hopefully that'll give you some idea as to current ability
ta in advance
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Comments
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There's a decent hill in between Ampthill and Bedford, not sure about Northampton though.
Depends how far you want to go, last time I stayed in Bedfordshire I cycled down to Ivanhoe Beacon which might be a bit far south. You're probably best off asking a few local clubs for decent routes, or failing that a member on the forum called Bronzie is from that neck of the woods, he should have a few ideas!0 -
I'm a Bedford boy although haven't lived there for 13 odd years. Are the Velo club still going...you want might want to contact them? Also got a riding mate who lives in Bromham and he tends to ride aroud Pavenham, Carlton etc and I've also heard him mention Hammer Hill on the way to hayes. Not sure if it's that steep but it'll be a leg warmer and he tends to do hill repeats on it. It's only about 10% and fairly short. There's also a longer one out Clophill way.
He's doing the Wales dragon with me again this year and another trip to the Alps.0 -
Best bet is the Chilterns around Dunstable (Ivinghoe Beacon / Toms Hill at Aldbury etc) for longer climbs (but even then only 70-100m elevation gain so not exactly mountains).
Failing that, the Greensand Ridge is a bit closer to Bedford and you can make up a nice route climbing up and down it's length from Cardington -> Haynes -> Ampthill -> Liddlington -> Ridgmont -> Bow Brickhill0
