I'd probably say GDF just edges it as it goes on for so long with probably about 4 nasty steep sections in total. Hardknott is brutally steep but at least the misery is fairly short lived.
Hardknott is the hardest climb I've done in the UK.
The combination of steep gradient, poor road surface and narrowness make it a hard slog. It's the only climb where I felt a 34-25 wasn't enough. Averaged 58rpm for the segment!
Boltby Bank was toughest I've been up, though admittedly haven't tried a lot of the tough ones. Only time I've had to dismount on a climb. Bloody steep.
Hardknott is the hardest climb I've done in the UK.
The combination of steep gradient, poor road surface and narrowness make it a hard slog. It's the only climb where I felt a 34-25 wasn't enough. Averaged 58rpm for the segment!
On my MTB I sometimes have a hard time keeping the front wheel on the ground going up some trails. Is this ever an issue for road bikes on the likes of Hardknott?
Hardknott is the hardest climb I've done in the UK.
The combination of steep gradient, poor road surface and narrowness make it a hard slog. It's the only climb where I felt a 34-25 wasn't enough. Averaged 58rpm for the segment!
On my MTB I sometimes have a hard time keeping the front wheel on the ground going up some trails. Is this ever an issue for road bikes on the likes of Hardknott?
On the steepest sections of Hardknott you'll almost inevitably be out of the saddle on a road bike so the problem tends to be rear wheel slippage, particularly if it's wet/greasy.
Hardknott is hard but provided you take your time and don't go into the red it is reasonably OK. Boltby is surprisingly tough I have to say. Many cobbled climbs around West Yorkshire are pretty difficult too...
You say that, but try sub 6 and it is, suddenly, not smooth sailing.
Not only that, but if you try it into a headwind, with your brakes on, towing a trailer with a two year-old and a large labrador, after a monumental night out...
... or alternatively, we could try and compare the climbs - hard enough given that there are different factors that make up difficulty, and they will affect different people in different ways - without throwing in extra confusions.
Hardest Ive done was Porlock, one I dread most if Lidlington by me, not mega steep just hard because its stop start, pulling away on a 12% gradient isn't fun.
This question all depends on how hard you go up them
This. Very definitely. And gears. I did a tour of the Pyrenees this year. Every climb was relatively easy, because I paced myself and had easy gears (34x29).
The above may be fact, or fiction, I may be serious, I may be jesting.
I am not sure. You have no chance.
I have a sprinters body so anything above 25% is pretty much a no go.
I honestly dont think Streatley is too bad. I could get up that with my compact when I was 18 stone... its 'orrible, but its doable.
I found Hardnott a tough walk ...that was with a triple and deore long mech/large cassette.... its completely brutal from the first ramp. I kept remounting but in reality I walked the majority of it. I dont think Wrynose compares. I got 99% of the way up it before bottling it when the front wheel lifted.
I would like to make special mention for Bushcombe lane near Cheltenham... I never see it mentioned in these polls but it is over 30 % for quite a while and it has a few bends which are bloody impossible. You can also only see a few yards ahead and its got false flats ... killer.
There is another hill between Cheddar gorge and Bristol which is up there for me - its on a really nasty, tight, fast stretch of road too which adds a level of torture as you have fast moving traffic to contend with who very much dont want to have to stop behind you for a hill start. Ive done it twice on Lejogs now and would like to know the name if anyone can narrow it down?
This question all depends on how hard you go up them
This. Very definitely. And gears. I did a tour of the Pyrenees this year. Every climb was relatively easy, because I paced myself and had easy gears (34x29).
Gearing and pacing, can flatten most hard hills, when out on knobblies and linking fun stuff with lanes, low gears and relaxed pace means that hills that on the roadie would be a bit of a swine are reduced to sit and spin.
GDF is the hardest I've found in the UK. There's just not a nice way to get up it.
Although I've managed to avoid the Lakes, my hunch is that the nasty looking climbs are rendered truly awful by having to climb several of them in one ride.
I have a sprinters body so anything above 25% is pretty much a no go.
I honestly dont think Streatley is too bad. I could get up that with my compact when I was 18 stone... its 'orrible, but its doable
Really? now I feel bad. :oops:
27...peak ironman fitness... with 34x28 and I still couldn't get past the house entrance on left. :oops: :oops:
I slow down have have to unclip & it's game over from thereon in.
I think this is most of what "hardest" is about: the absolute gradient. I've not been stopped by any hill I could actually pedal on: what stops me is when I simply can't get the bike to move quick enough to stay upright. That's usually combined with trying to keep the front wheel on the ground. Shorter gears don't help you if you're going too slow to keep the bike upright.
I would like to make special mention for Bushcombe lane near Cheltenham... I never see it mentioned in these polls but it is over 30 % for quite a while and it has a few bends which are bloody impossible. You can also only see a few yards ahead and its got false flats ... killer.
I can vouch for that. I once got some grit trapped in between the brake block and the rim going down the damn thing. I did stay on but it was hairy. That last 50 yds is brutal.
Can I mention Butts Lane, Eastbourne and the other end of the country from Spittal of Glenshee all the way up on the A95 to the ski centre. As it's a valley, if you get a headwind, it's murder and relentless.
...and the other end of the country from Spittal of Glenshee all the way up on the A95 to the ski centre. As it's a valley, if you get a headwind, it's murder and relentless.
I thought that was rather unspectacular. Overtaking cars on the way back down on the other hand... But I was much younger and even more stupid then. Bunny hopping a cattle grid at @ 55mph rather sticks in the mind. :shock:
The above may be fact, or fiction, I may be serious, I may be jesting.
I am not sure. You have no chance.
Moonbiker
Posts: 1,706
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I'd probably say GDF just edges it as it goes on for so long with probably about 4 nasty steep sections in total. Hardknott is brutally steep but at least the misery is fairly short lived.
The combination of steep gradient, poor road surface and narrowness make it a hard slog. It's the only climb where I felt a 34-25 wasn't enough. Averaged 58rpm for the segment!
and didn't you have a lovely time...
On my MTB I sometimes have a hard time keeping the front wheel on the ground going up some trails. Is this ever an issue for road bikes on the likes of Hardknott?
On the steepest sections of Hardknott you'll almost inevitably be out of the saddle on a road bike so the problem tends to be rear wheel slippage, particularly if it's wet/greasy.
You say that, but try sub 6 and it is, suddenly, not smooth sailing.
... or alternatively, we could try and compare the climbs - hard enough given that there are different factors that make up difficulty, and they will affect different people in different ways - without throwing in extra confusions.
Easty commuter
Tripster AT
I am not sure. You have no chance.
I have a sprinters body so anything above 25% is pretty much a no go.
I honestly dont think Streatley is too bad. I could get up that with my compact when I was 18 stone... its 'orrible, but its doable.
I found Hardnott a tough walk ...that was with a triple and deore long mech/large cassette.... its completely brutal from the first ramp. I kept remounting but in reality I walked the majority of it. I dont think Wrynose compares. I got 99% of the way up it before bottling it when the front wheel lifted.
I would like to make special mention for Bushcombe lane near Cheltenham... I never see it mentioned in these polls but it is over 30 % for quite a while and it has a few bends which are bloody impossible. You can also only see a few yards ahead and its got false flats ... killer.
There is another hill between Cheddar gorge and Bristol which is up there for me - its on a really nasty, tight, fast stretch of road too which adds a level of torture as you have fast moving traffic to contend with who very much dont want to have to stop behind you for a hill start. Ive done it twice on Lejogs now and would like to know the name if anyone can narrow it down?
Gearing and pacing, can flatten most hard hills, when out on knobblies and linking fun stuff with lanes, low gears and relaxed pace means that hills that on the roadie would be a bit of a swine are reduced to sit and spin.
I've not rode Wrynose from the Ambleside side, but can imagine that's not nice either!
The hardest I've found in Scotland is here: https://www.strava.com/segments/615848 First 1.5km are savage, everything else lost in the delirium.
GDF is the hardest I've found in the UK. There's just not a nice way to get up it.
Although I've managed to avoid the Lakes, my hunch is that the nasty looking climbs are rendered truly awful by having to climb several of them in one ride.
Really? now I feel bad. :oops:
27...peak ironman fitness... with 34x28 and I still couldn't get past the house entrance on left. :oops: :oops:
I slow down have have to unclip & it's game over from thereon in.
Fleet Moss from Hawes is a bit of a sod.
I think this is most of what "hardest" is about: the absolute gradient. I've not been stopped by any hill I could actually pedal on: what stops me is when I simply can't get the bike to move quick enough to stay upright. That's usually combined with trying to keep the front wheel on the ground. Shorter gears don't help you if you're going too slow to keep the bike upright.
I can vouch for that. I once got some grit trapped in between the brake block and the rim going down the damn thing. I did stay on but it was hairy. That last 50 yds is brutal.
Can I mention Butts Lane, Eastbourne and the other end of the country from Spittal of Glenshee all the way up on the A95 to the ski centre. As it's a valley, if you get a headwind, it's murder and relentless.
W - Wiggle Honda
"This year will be harder than last year. But that is good news; this year will be easier than next year."
6 minutes lol
I am not sure. You have no chance.