lynton and lynmouth

markyone

hi all,done 60 miles of the exmoor beast sat 11th sept very challenging,dropped down into lynton and lynmouth which was a very fast descent then we had to go out the other side.my garmin was showing 33% at some stage where a sign says its 25% never known a hill so tough and long.i put my compact on and had a 11x25 cassette and it was not enough had to stop as legs were going to explode what do you need to make this beast without stopping?27 or 28? maybe more, what do you guys think?if you have done it or tried it.the whole ride was amazing secenery but you were always climbing well that was the feeling anyway.

cheers drive

I didn't do the Beast but I did do the North Deven Black Rat sportive yesterday and it sounds like Countisbury hill. 25% at the bottom and an av of 12% for the rest. It was a toughy although not the toughest on the ride I walked a couple of sections of the tougher climbs but did Countisbury on compact 11-26. Beautiful scenery around there but some savage hills!

markyone

really tough climbs and i thougt the dragon ride wales was hilly but this takes some beating.its just the fact they are so steep where as the dragon ride are long climbs and not so steep.

Bobbinogs

Oh dear. Not really what i wanted to hear

Mind you, I have a nice granny ring (30) so I'm keeping my fingers crossed that a 30 x 25 combo will do it for me. Failing that, I'm wearing my SPD shoes.

I dunno, you pay a wad of cash for a sportive, do a load of training on a bike and still end up facing the prospect of doing some hill walking instead. Maybe the better routine would be some nice gentle fell walking... and lots of practice on a bike just doing a handsfree victory salute (to be employed when going down the Minehead seafront).

Markyone, did you do the 100k route as a trainer? For both routes, the first big climb out Luccombe looks to be really tough (mapmyride rates this even steeper than the Lynmouth hill).

Will Bowden

I live in Lynton, Its good to see lots more people riding around here now 8)

Countisbury Hill is 2 miles of climbing from Lynmouth with only a slight let up briefly before the final haul to the top. Excellent going down though but beware your brakes will get VERY hot by the bottom, I burnt myself taking a wheel off in Lynmouth once!! :shock:

Both Countisbury and particularly Lynmouth Hill get regular fuel spills on them so take care.

Will

markyone

hi did 62 miles a trainer for the route,god there are some serious climbs if you have not got a large cassette on i had 11 25 and new it.i must say the scenery is fantastic.the first climb was serious too, cheers mark.

vorsprung

I did the "Valley of the Rocks" route end of August, which includes a bit of the hill out of Lynmouth as part of the 4000m+ climbing

It's about the only hill I have repeatedly climbed but I've never made it up. This time I didn't even try

Scotty4

Lovely day for flying down Countisbury hill yesterday... even managed to get up Porlock Hill instead for the easier Toll Road!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SFm6SHzzgZc