It started with my nephew’s bike. It’s a touring bike with a good selection of gears, straight bars, slightly heavy and upright and also a bit too big.
We were all staying at his aunt’s in the wilds of Herefordshire. The house is up on a ridge in a countryside full of narrow back lanes, muddy, damp and pot holed. But, a bike is a bike and I was grateful for the loan of it.
I discovered that starting near the top of a hill is a drawback as there’s always that climb up at the end of the day. Also, the area is fully of steep hills, often ramping up to well over 15%, often with a wee section of 20%+. So it is all quite challenging.
On one of my rides I discovered Mill Lane. Aghghghghghghgh – and I’ll tell you why later. 2/3rds of the way up I was struggling and staggered off and started walking, slowly, very slowly. But the challenge had been set. Next day, a short ride and I was back. This time, heart pounding, lungs gasping, legs aching I was up without a dismount. Yippee.
When I got home and uploaded my stats I discovered, much to my amazement, I had become King of that particular mountain.
So, 8 months later, I was back, relegated to a lowly 2nd place on my nemesis.
This time I was with my trusty steed ready for “That Hill” This time we were cat and house sitting.
By this time you might be thinking, “What is it with this guy and this hill?” or maybe not.
Well now, the hill starts right after you’ve passed what looks like an old mill house, then cycled down the stream to emerge at the slope ahead. You then know you’ve only got half a mile to the top.
Straight away it ramps up to over 20%, take it easy, take it slow, take it easy take it slow, then a wee rest at 15%. Oh no off again, another 22%+ ramp, then another ‘flat’ bit at only 10%. Onward and upward, wheel spin on the gravel as the next 20% section is underneath the bike, then a turn round the bend at a mere 17% before the final kick up at over 22% till it eases off with an almost downhill feeling 3% (OK well not quite, but it certainly feels easier).
So, take it slow at first, up out the saddle by the third ramp and gasping and spluttering as I reach the top of the fourth steepest ramp. Then ahead of me a car looking abandoned across the road with its passenger door wide open, almost blocking the path ahead. I manage to crawl past the driver’s door, gasping something to the woman putting up a notice beside me. I recover enough to get to the top. Done it!!!
Later, when I look at the result I see I’ve just exactly equaled the time on my last attempt. See that car!!
So next day I know that !@£$%^&?|>!! hill has still got my name on it.
So, three days later, after being penned in by the weather, rested and recuperated, I’m ready. A quick 5 mile warm up and I’m at the bottom again, cycling down the stream. Scooting up the first bit – easy, then it bites back. I’ve gone too fast. By the fourth steep section I’m puggled. I’m sure I can taste blood in my mouth, I’ve just overdone it my breathing and heart rate seem to have gone ballistic, should I do this to myself? It’s the walk of shame again. I push the bike up that last steep section, hop on and try to cycle quickly up the last section. Ah well, not to worry, won’t be down this way for a while so maybe next time and it’s off for another 20 miles of ups and downs.
The ride is excellent, though clarty, passing buzzards, ducks, cows, tractors, the amazing house shown above and the army base where the SAS are rumoured to train. We watched a dismantled Boeing 747 swathed in white plastic on three huge trailers negotiating the narrow lanes on its way to the base the day before. Presumably to be used for training.
Got home and loaded up the stats much later. Wow! Even with walking it was my fastest time up that hill, well I never!
And who was the person with the KOM? It turned out to be a pro rider from Texas on a 100 mile jaunt, so a different league altogether.
But if I’m back later in the year . . . . . . .
That’s awesome, FC! Good Lord, those were some steep pitches.
LikeLike
Strava had one tiny section at 33%, but I think it might have been a wee blip. Felt like it though!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wow!!!
LikeLike
Och – now I want to go do it – it sounds like a belter. No shame in walking up a 22 degree pitch is there?
I haven’t heard of someone using the phrase “clarty” for a while either – it made me smile. 😉
LikeLike
The first three 21%s were OK, it was the last one got me 50% of the time. Great in retrospect anyway – it’ll learn me to start even easier if I try again.
LikeLike
Ugh. That sounds epic. If you want to train for 20’+ segments try the Four Rivers Ride in South Korea. It has some ugly ramps too. I walked everything over 12% haha
LikeLiked by 1 person
If I walked everything over 12% round here I’d wear out my bike shoes quickly!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I live at sea level in a flat part of my country. Mind you, my bike and gear weighed 60kg when I was in Korea. We’ll see how I go in Japan
LikeLiked by 1 person
A country I’ve always fancied visiting.
LikeLike
nice climbing!
LikeLike
That’s quite some hill! A worthy adversary…I say well done!
LikeLike
I can feel your pain on that hill. Glad you beat it 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I can feel your pain. It also makes me want to seek out and climb that hill! Why do we do it to ourselves? Apart from it being fun of course! Great post.
LikeLike
Best of luck if you find it!
LikeLike
Why indeed, definitely ‘The Challenge’!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’ve been avoiding hills during the winter months. I’ll tackle them later.
LikeLike