What is the hardest climb in the UK?

itboffin

Our club ride today took in two of the longest consistent climbs around these parts today and whilst not super hard if you know how far they are pretty tough in their own right, my commute home goes the opposite way over the same hill, six miles which averages at maybe 3% but several sections over 10% usually takes me 25 mins

I think that sums up the UK we're littered with short sharp climbs

shamrock134

First Aspect wrote:

Closest I've done is the VOTT, which is more lumpy. And not in the least enjoyable. Except for any farmers watching me weave my way up.

I'm heading to GC at Christmas.

Is the VOTT worth my time? I'm intrigued by its reputation but if it's like an extended Hardknott I might reconsider doing it!

sloppyschleckonds

shamrock134 wrote:

First Aspect wrote:

Closest I've done is the VOTT, which is more lumpy. And not in the least enjoyable. Except for any farmers watching me weave my way up.

I'm heading to GC at Christmas.

Is the VOTT worth my time? I'm intrigued by its reputation but if it's like an extended Hardknott I might reconsider doing it!

lol

pinno

Briggo wrote:

http://cyclinguphill.com/100-climbs/

I presume that list is in any old order? Ditchling Beacon is on that list but it isn't a hard climb. There's a climb here locally that's far tougher than Ditchling and it isn't even listed.

meanredspider

Pinno wrote:

Briggo wrote:

http://cyclinguphill.com/100-climbs/

I presume that list is in any old order? Ditchling Beacon is on that list but it isn't a hard climb. There's a climb here locally that's far tougher than Ditchling and it isn't even listed.

It calls them the "Greatest" climbs which sounds pretty subjective and not necessarily ranked by how hard they are. The fact that there's only one Highland climb listed suggests that it's a little limited.

bobmcstuff

meanredspider wrote:

Pinno wrote:

Briggo wrote:

http://cyclinguphill.com/100-climbs/

I presume that list is in any old order? Ditchling Beacon is on that list but it isn't a hard climb. There's a climb here locally that's far tougher than Ditchling and it isn't even listed.

It calls them the "Greatest" climbs which sounds pretty subjective and not necessarily ranked by how hard they are. The fact that there's only one Highland climb listed suggests that it's a little limited.

That's the "100 climbs" book everyone talks about.

Yes it is VERY limited for Scotland - only 7 in total (63 to 69), when some of the molehills down in SE England are barely worth a mention.

But like you say it is subjective, and if it was truly the 100 "hardest" then they would probably all be in the Lakes, Peaks, Scotland and Wales (I'm being flippant before someone pulls me up on it...). The guy has come out with a second 100 climbs book which adds a another 11 in Scotland - full list on a Google map here https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?mi ... I&hl=en_US

I think it's best not to read too much into it. I've found it pretty handy for finding good climbs in new areas.

The Rookie

When I'm away on business I get to do a few fairly decent climbs, 650-800m vertical, not mega steep as most are over 7-8km, my nearest climb on that list is Edge Hill which is a short sprint by comparison.

ugo.santalucia

bobmcstuff wrote:

I think it's best not to read too much into it. I've found it pretty handy for finding good climbs in new areas.

+1... I confess I only went for a weekend in Minehead to do Porlock and DUnkery beacon

doolie

Bushcombe lane for me, hardest I've done. Wrynose from the east would be next on the list. That said, I have don't done hardknott from the west....

DavidJB

Bwlch y Groes in north wales is pretty savage...esp when doing in 39/27

davep1

Pinno wrote:

Briggo wrote:

http://cyclinguphill.com/100-climbs/

I presume that list is in any old order? Ditchling Beacon is on that list but it isn't a hard climb. There's a climb here locally that's far tougher than Ditchling and it isn't even listed.

Hmm, Ditchling not hard?! Whereabouts are you, and where is this far harder climb?

bompington

DaveP1 wrote:

Pinno wrote:

Briggo wrote:

http://cyclinguphill.com/100-climbs/

I presume that list is in any old order? Ditchling Beacon is on that list but it isn't a hard climb. There's a climb here locally that's far tougher than Ditchling and it isn't even listed.

Hmm, Ditchling not hard?! Whereabouts are you, and where is this far harder climb?

Well, for example, I used to go up 2 significantly bigger ones on my morning commute in my old job...

mr_poll

In the book all the climbs are rated out of 10 (in fact there is a climb in Scotland that is rated an 11)

I have done quite a few in the North and for me either Bwlch Y Groes or Rosedale Chimney. Rosedale is the only climb to have beaten me, however it was in March and I was carrying some winter weight (excuse), however it is savage and unnerving to ride on the wrong side of the road on a hairpin which you cant see around to try to reduce the gradient - I will be going back to try to cross that one off.

pinno

DaveP1 wrote:

Pinno wrote:

Briggo wrote:

http://cyclinguphill.com/100-climbs/

I presume that list is in any old order? Ditchling Beacon is on that list but it isn't a hard climb. There's a climb here locally that's far tougher than Ditchling and it isn't even listed.

Hmm, Ditchling not hard?! Whereabouts are you, and where is this far harder climb?

Via Lewes, without too many ascents in your legs, Ditchling has a series of ramps and it's never that steep. It's less than 1 mile in length with an elevation gain of 140m. Average gradient 9%.
The climb I am referring to locally is called Hgh Craig Caffie or Braid Fell, Co-Ordinates Starts NX 08597 63804 ends NX 10379 65898 . Very steep in bits (a section of about 20% bang in the middle). 2.7 miles long and ascending to 194 metres.
According to Google Earth, it maxes at 219 metres. I presume using modern satellite measurements this is more accurate but i'll have to dig out an OS map and see if that tallies.

Some bloke wrote a book about approx. 400 cycling climbs in the UK - I wonder if anyone knows it. It's listed in there but it's listed at 'over 3 miles long', which I cannot square. No matter where I measure it from or to, the maximum length is 2.7 miles, so the validity of his book for me is a little under question.
It would be good to have that book because at least it would be a handy reference.

crispybug2

Did Leith Hill this weekend........ that hurt!!!

It's all dependent on variables when judging a climb, for me personally I've done bugger all training for a month and a half or so and this is the first climb for years and years that has forced me to a complete stop!! Only just managed to avoid falling over. I'm going to attempt it again in the spring after a good winter training block(*) and then I hopefully won't feel so badly disposed towards it!

Also I have to say that the descent off Leith Hill, on a road covered with damp leaves, was quite possibly the most terrifying descent I've ever done!



* Hopefully


p.s. Even given my lack of training as mentioned above I have to say that Box Hill was a piece of piss!

Briggo

Bless you southerners and your Leith Hill.

crispybug2

Briggo wrote:

Bless you southerners and your Leith Hill.

We used t'live in a shoebox int'middle o t'road and every morning we had t'lick road clean wit tongue!!

itboffin

You had a shoebox and whole box to yourself ....?

Luxury

pinno

crispybug2 wrote:

Briggo wrote:

Bless you southerners and your Leith Hill.

We used t'live in a shoebox int'middle o t'road and every morning we had t'lick road clean wit tongue!!

Must 'ave lived in same shoe box as me then:

viewtopic.php?f=30005&t=13072330&start=20#p19998411

davep1

bompington wrote:

DaveP1 wrote:

Pinno wrote:

Briggo wrote:

http://cyclinguphill.com/100-climbs/

I presume that list is in any old order? Ditchling Beacon is on that list but it isn't a hard climb. There's a climb here locally that's far tougher than Ditchling and it isn't even listed.

Hmm, Ditchling not hard?! Whereabouts are you, and where is this far harder climb?

Well, for example, I used to go up 2 significantly bigger ones on my morning commute in my old job...

Where are these then? This is a thread about hard hills, lets have some information!

napoleond

The 100 greatest climbs isn't the hardest, its ones that are good to ride up and popular for various reasons.
There's one in Macclesfield forest that I find harder than mow cop but mow cop is in there.

bompington

DaveP1 wrote:

bompington wrote:

DaveP1 wrote:

Pinno wrote:

Briggo wrote:

http://cyclinguphill.com/100-climbs/

I presume that list is in any old order? Ditchling Beacon is on that list but it isn't a hard climb. There's a climb here locally that's far tougher than Ditchling and it isn't even listed.

Hmm, Ditchling not hard?! Whereabouts are you, and where is this far harder climb?

Well, for example, I used to go up 2 significantly bigger ones on my morning commute in my old job...

Where are these then? This is a thread about hard hills, lets have some information!

Jock's Brae (about 190m from bottom to top) and Kilspindie Hill (240m) in the Sidlaws, the range of small (for Scotland) hills between Dundee and Perth. Admittedly Kilspindie was an optional extra, but Jock's Brae was actually part of the most efficient route to work (apart from the busy and lethal A90 dual carriageway).

But there are much bigger and nastier hills close by: I'd echo the view up-thread that the Glen Quaich road from Kenmore is one of the most brutal going - I snapped a chain there once.

davep1

bompington wrote:

DaveP1 wrote:

bompington wrote:

DaveP1 wrote:

Pinno wrote:

Briggo wrote:

http://cyclinguphill.com/100-climbs/

I presume that list is in any old order? Ditchling Beacon is on that list but it isn't a hard climb. There's a climb here locally that's far tougher than Ditchling and it isn't even listed.

Hmm, Ditchling not hard?! Whereabouts are you, and where is this far harder climb?

Well, for example, I used to go up 2 significantly bigger ones on my morning commute in my old job...

Where are these then? This is a thread about hard hills, lets have some information!

Jock's Brae (about 190m from bottom to top) and Kilspindie Hill (240m) in the Sidlaws, the range of small (for Scotland) hills between Dundee and Perth. Admittedly Kilspindie was an optional extra, but Jock's Brae was actually part of the most efficient route to work (apart from the busy and lethal A90 dual carriageway).

But there are much bigger and nastier hills close by: I'd echo the view up-thread that the Glen Quaich road from Kenmore is one of the most brutal going - I snapped a chain there once.

Thanks for the info, if I'm ever up that way I'll have to have a crack at them. I like the 100 Climbs books, they give you some ideas. Nobody would say Boxhill was hard, but it is a lovely, smooth road, great views on the way up and at the top, and so many million cyclists have tried it, it's worth a detour if you're in the area.

Tashman

For me as a newb living only 10 miles from Ditchling, the Beacon is still a way off for me. I'm determined once i'm up and running again though that i will make it up. Hills kill me right now, theres a 0.9km 9% climb near me that I just can't get up without stopping yet. Hard is all relative remember folks,I wouldn't contemlpate some of the places you're all talking about yet

thegreatdivide

bompington wrote:

DaveP1 wrote:

bompington wrote:

DaveP1 wrote:

Pinno wrote:

Briggo wrote:

http://cyclinguphill.com/100-climbs/

I presume that list is in any old order? Ditchling Beacon is on that list but it isn't a hard climb. There's a climb here locally that's far tougher than Ditchling and it isn't even listed.

Hmm, Ditchling not hard?! Whereabouts are you, and where is this far harder climb?

Well, for example, I used to go up 2 significantly bigger ones on my morning commute in my old job...

Where are these then? This is a thread about hard hills, lets have some information!

Jock's Brae (about 190m from bottom to top) and Kilspindie Hill (240m) in the Sidlaws, the range of small (for Scotland) hills between Dundee and Perth. Admittedly Kilspindie was an optional extra, but Jock's Brae was actually part of the most efficient route to work (apart from the busy and lethal A90 dual carriageway).

But there are much bigger and nastier hills close by: I'd echo the view up-thread that the Glen Quaich road from Kenmore is one of the most brutal going - I snapped a chain there once.

You could probably do a book on the Sidlaws alone:
Kinnoul Hill (from Perth)
Glendoick
Glencarse (the full 20%)
Glencarse though Mains of Balthayock
A93 to Blathayock
Pitroddie to Balthayock
Kinnaird
Rait South Side
Rait North Side
Kilspindie to Sbernyte
Abernyte to Kilspindie
The full Abernyte to Top of Jocks
The full Abernyte to Dunsinane (yes that very Dunsinane)
Collace
Jocks Brae
The Knapp to Jocks Brae
The Berry Hill climbs (that one from the Knapp is a killer)
Sawmill to Littleton
Pitcur to Lundie
Newtyle
Aucheterhouse to Balckello

And the mother of them all…

Craig Owl – the road of death
https://www.strava.com/segments/1129128
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Craigowl_Hill

bompington

Yep, we've got it lucky round here. Mind you, it can get busy - I was out last weekend showing my brother the local roads, only out for about 3 hours or so, and we must have got passed by nearly a dozen cars! It was terrible! And it's so distracting having all those great views to look at. Plus we had to waste time at one of the cafés...

thegreatdivide

bompington wrote:

Yep, we've got it lucky round here. Mind you, it can get busy - I was out last weekend showing my brother the local roads, only out for about 3 hours or so, and we must have got passed by nearly a dozen cars! It was terrible! And it's so distracting having all those great views to look at. Plus we had to waste time at one of the cafés...

Must have been hell.

davep1

bompington wrote:

Yep, we've got it lucky round here. Mind you, it can get busy - I was out last weekend showing my brother the local roads, only out for about 3 hours or so, and we must have got passed by nearly a dozen cars! It was terrible! And it's so distracting having all those great views to look at. Plus we had to waste time at one of the cafés...

Were you still in shorts and mitts though?!

ravey1981

mamil314 wrote:

SloppySchleckonds wrote:

Box Hill

You say that, but try sub 6 and it is, suddenly, not smooth sailing.

10 miles on the flat isn't hard, but try and do it in under 20 mins and suddenly it is....you're point is pointless.... :roll:

reacher

Anybody know of any around south Wales long ones preferably