Question for Kent riders

TJ1004

I am quite new to road riding and intend trying to keep training over the winter to build a good base.

One of the areas I need to work on is hill climbing.

I am based quite close to bexley so can anyone suggest some starter hills to practice on and then ones to move onto when conquered before I get to the usuals for the experienced guys such as toys hill, IDE hill and star hill.

Currently riding around 40k as an easy weekend ride but looking to increase this in small stages.

Thanks

bilsea159

I would recommend a route taking you out through eynsford to otford along to star hill for a gentle climb, possibly going out at the roundabout at star hill to ide hill building up to toys hill with practice. I sometimes go out from my base Dartford out to longfield and out to meopham out to vigo down the hill and up wrotham hill and home via brands hatch. You could also follow the old A20 up to brands hatch which is also a decent route with gentle but longish hill. Give me a email if you want a training buddy.

Mad Roadie

have you tried the hills in and out of Goudhurst?

Colin_S

I've improved my climbing ability on local roads that are far from 'hills'.
Through the week and particularly in winter, it's not always possible to get out into the countryside so I just use what is avaiable locally.
In your neck of the woods roads like the North Cray Road can be used to good effect. Heading out of Bexley that road is a steady uphill slope for the most part. If you can attack that from end to end and work on improving your times that will give you a serious CV workout that will up your fitness levels. I even do hill repeats on Gravel Hill from time to time.
Also, if you've not already done so, consider joining one of the local clubs.

wardieboy

If you are heading over to the Ide hill area then I would recommend one tree hill once you have gained some fitness. Yorks hill is the toughest in that area as far as I am aware.

TJ1004

Thanks for the help, north cray road and gravel hill to start with for me.

JohnBoyUK

I do my intervals and thresholds on North Cray Road. As a suggestion for you, how about a loop of North Cray Road towards Ruxley Corner, turn left down Maidstone Road then take the left at the lights on to Birchwood Road go past the golf course and then complete the loop up Summerhouse Drive thru to Joydons Wood and back down to Bexley. 7 miles, 3 draggy climbs and a sprint down Birchwood. Do 2/3 loops of that and then do North Cray Road sprints, all out sprints Ruxley to Bexley then recovery back up to Ruxley and repeat.

You'll see a good few of us doing that in the lime green jerseys of LEC on the cold nights.

If you're looking for some climbs, Bowers Lane in Eynsford is a long drag with some steep bits, tinkerpot lane, fackenden lane are good ones to try, all leading to a nice decent back down the Knatts Valley.

Gazzaputt

I also live in Bexley and have a good training loop with some excellent testing hills. Have look here:

http://app.strava.com/rides/2246690

I ride with Bigfoot CC but can be found one day each weekend doing the above. Let me know if you'd like to meet up for a ride.

sexysi

You could try this route, takes in wrotham hill and the Darenth valley hills.

http://ridewithgps.com/routes/713190

21.3miles starting in Eynsford with a total climb of 1331ft

Si