by simon warren · Penny Pot lane 3425m2.1% cow and calf 2059m7% snowden bank 775m7% church lane...

cycling climbs of the

tour de yorkshire ride 2020the roads that make the event

by simon warren

RIDE

RIDE

with a short and dramatic descent into Pateley Bridge where you arrive at the showpiece of the day, the mighty Greenhow Hill.

This climb comes at you in waves, a barrage of stiff ascents with slight pauses in between that will have you on the ropes by the time you finally reach the summit. Psychologically you know the worst is now behind you but don’t drop your guard just yet because there’s still plenty of perils to come. In between Greenhow and Ilkley there are

a bounty of nasty little lumps to contend with. The climb up from Thruscross reservoir, the horrible kick up Shepherd Hill out of Blubberhouses (which I guarantee will draw an expletive) and then to compound these the climb of Snowdon Hill over Askwith Moor. Once these have been tackled there’s a plunge into Ilkley to take on the ‘Cow and

Calf’. Rising from the centre of town, never too steep but always hard this wonderful road takes you to the top of the ridge before you drop immediately back down into Otley.

Up next is Chevin Bank which is bad enough with fresh legs but with tired ones it forces all time and space to grind to a halt. If you reach the summit with your morale still intact then I take my hat off to you, it’s something I have never managed to do. Beat this and you’ve just the last 15 kilometres of undulations through the city to contend with before the grand finish on The Headrow.

With climbs of various degrees of severity dotted along its three different parcours,

the 2020 Tour de Yorkshire Ride will present a challenge to all entrants.

To begin the day you’ve the tough little climb of Church Lane that directs you north as you exit Leeds into the Yorkshire Dales. Passing Eccup Reservoir you make your way to the second significant obstacle of the day up to North Rigton. Unfortunately those on the short route miss out on the nasty finale that rears up through the village. Next the course then undulates all the way to Penny Pot Lane which rises gently but consistently for nearly four kilometers.

Passing the imposing sight of RAF Menwith Hill with it’s array of famous white domes you ride into Dacre Banks and the base of the fearsome Hartwith Bank. As soon as you cross the River Nidd the road ramps up and you’ll be changing gear rapidly to cope with the severity of the gradient. There is a brief pause as you cross the B6165 then you’re right back into the stiff climbing. This is a proper tough hill which climbs on a double digit gradient for close to a kilometre before you can relax. Thankfully the next part of the ride is predominantly downhill all the way through Aldfield to the B6265.

With 60 kilometres in the legs it’s time to turn and head home across the beautiful Pateley Moor. Undulating upwards this long gentle climb ends

a61a658north rigton

huby

2km

Length 1925m

height gain 96m

average gradient 5%

maximum gradient 16%

approx CLimb time 6mins

top tip those of you riding the short route will miss the true delights of this climb which requires one all out effort to smash the steep last 200 metres.

F a C t F i L e

i n c l u d e d o n s h o r t m e d i u m l o n g

LEEDS

RIPON

ILKLEY

BRADFORD

ShIPLEY

hARROgAtE

PAtELEYBRIDgE

BLuBBERhOuSES

SummERBRIDgE

NORthRIgtON

guISELEY

OtLEY

LONg ROutE 132KmmEDIum ROutE 81KmShORt ROutE 50Km

RIDE

hartwith bank1500m 9.1%

grennhow hill3990m 7%

rigton hill1925m 5%

Penny Pot lane3425m 2.1%

cow and calf2059m 7%

snowden bank775m 7%

church lane675m 6.2%

chevin bank1750m 9.4% the climbs are all given a rating out of ten,

ten being the toughest and you may notice the scores of some have changed from their appearance in my previous books. this is because I’m rating them in the context of the event, so naturally Greenhow hill now gets a 10, instead of a six as it had previously

held. the rating is an amalgamation of gradient, length, the likely hostility

of the riding conditions, and the condition of the surface.

r a t i n g S

on each factfile you will see a small colour coded graphic of the three tour de Yorkshire ride routes. on that graphic, highlighted in white you will also see the location of each particular climb. You can use this to see which climb appears on which route and whereabouts on that route it appears. all routes contain three of the climbs but only the long route features all ten.

L o C a t i o n S t o p t i p

10/10r

aTi

nG

ride route

a road

b road

minor road

a123

b1234

rail line

hill route

town

S F

Station

toWn

Start

FiniSh

m a p k e y

scale

L e g e n du n d e r s t a n d I n G t h e f a c t f I l e a n d r a t I n G s

each factfile includes a brief tip to help you get to the top of it in the best shape, together with the climb’s key statistics and of course the map to show where the climb starts and finishes. also is the approximate time needed to ride each hill, timed over the distance marked, this time will be slow for some but fast for others, so see how you fair.

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LeedS

meanwood

500m

m e a n W o o d , l e e d s

To kick start the day and drag you out of Leeds is the climb of Church Lane, the first of a number of undulations packed into the initial 12 kilometers on all the routes. After the rapid decent from the start line, and the short journey along Meanwood Road you will reach the base after just four kilometres. It’s always good to have a hill near the start to wake the body up, nothing too harsh, just something to get the system working properly. Running parallel to Stonegate Road this quieter route takes you up the same ridge climbing away from Headingley through the borough of Meanwood. Stretching from the right hand corner are close to 700 metres of incline averaging a reasonably stiff six percent with the toughest slopes right down the bottom. This first ramp will feel like a bucket of cold water in the face this early in the day, but it’s only short and the rest of the climb is a breeze, up to and past the mini roundabout.

2/10ra

Tin

G

C h u r C h L a n e

100 200 300 400 5000m

125m

100

75

Length 675m

height gain 42m

average gradient 6.2%



top tip the harsh start to this climb is the wake up call your legs need, just click down the gears to get through it, then change back up when it eases off.

F a C t F i L e


600

Pretty tough at the start

a steady slog to the top

b6157

b6157 headingley

RIDE

a61a658north rigton

huby

2km

n o r t h r I G t o n

Although this climb appears on all three routes, only those riding the two longer ones get to experience its killer finish through the village of North Rigton. You’ll all arrive at the base where Dunkeswick Lane crosses Swindon Beck then you begin to climb ever so gently to meet the A658. Take care crossing here then continue on the steady incline to where the road kinks left and the gradient starts pick up. As you pass the sign for North Rigton the slope eases back significantly and you can cast your eyes left to enjoy the view, your reward for the gain in altitude. As you reach the mini roundabout those on the short route will head left and everyone else heads right, and up. Ahead you see the slope rear skyward between the houses, a steep, narrow path just waiting to hurt your legs. This is the first real test of the day, short enough to tackle in one big effort and a good test to make sure your legs are primed for bigger beasts still to come.

6/10ra

Tin

G

r i g t o n h i L L

400 800 1200 16000m

175m

150

125

100

Length 1925m

height gain 96m

average gradient 5%



top tip those of you riding the short route will miss the true delights of this climb which requires one all out effort to smash the steep last 200 metres.

F a C t F i L e


75

take care crossing the

a658 Killer finish through the

village

RIDE

b6162

kettlesingbottom

beCkWithShaW

b6161

a59harrogate

b6161

b e c k W I t h s h a W

Following on from the nasty ramp up through North Rigton and the brace of small peaks that follow it you drop down the A6161 to the junction with Penny Pot Lane. This long seemingly benign road, running parallel to the A59 climbs at such a steady rate to begin with you will hardly notice it, but trust me, you are heading up hill. Just past the recycling centre is where you’ll begin to notice a difference and feel the need to change down a sprocket or two as your forward progress begins to slow slightly. This is the meat of the climb, but rather than prime filet it’s still more corned beef with a maximum gradient of just 4%. You can’t knock its length though as the slope continues it’s upward progression continually shielded by trees either side. On and on, a perpetual arrow straight line heads painstakingly upwards until finally it fades as you pass the entrance to the wind farm on your right.

2/10r

aTi

nG

p e n n y p o t L a n e

500 1000 1500 2000 25000m

225m

200

175

150

very, very, steady

start

Length 3425m

height gain 73m


maximum gradient 4%


top tip to tackle this road is simply a case of finding the right gear and cadence and sticking to it.

F a C t F i L e

3km

more substantial gradient


3000

RIDE

Summerbridge

pateleybridge

dacrebanks

b6265

b6165

b6451

glasshouses

4km

s u m m e r b r I d G e , P a t e l e Y b r I d G e

Here we have the first proper climb of the day and it’s a real beast, rising up from the River Nidd, through Summerbridge and all the way to the top of Brimham Moor. From the first bend, and for the entirety of the first half of the climb, it’s an out of the saddle, wishing it would end, lung-busting effort. This is no surprise really – if you look at the Ordnance Survey map you’ll see there are four gradient arrows on this stretch. Rising hard up and out of the village, the road becomes even steeper into the woods, the narrow path swaying left and right in the darkness under the shelter of trees. It’s an eternity until you see a light at the end of the tunnel and a possible lessening of the slope. Yes the sky opens, but unfortunately the climb remains remorselessly steep for just that little bit longer. Eventually it abates, allowing you to pedal out the easier second half up to the T-junction. Welcome to Nidderdale.

9/10ra

Tin

G

h a r t W i t h b a n k

Length 1500m

height gain 137m




top tip the first real test of the day will require a small gear and plenty of grunt out of the saddle, and don’t go too hard right away, the very steep section lasts quite a while.

F a C t F i L e


250 500 750 1000 1250 15000m

250m

200

150

100

15% right hand

bendat

last the greadient

eases

RIDE

Wath

4km

heathFieLdmoor

greenhow

padside

poCk StoneSmoor

pateLey bridge

b6265

P a t e l e Y b r I d G e

Here’s the big one, the infamous Greenhow Hill, and your first chance to claim the King or Queen of the mountain jersey. No stranger to the Tour de Yorkshire Ride on a bitterly cold day it will give you a true lesson in what it’s like to climb Yorkshire’s hills. The pain comes in bursts over four distinct stretches of climbing, with brief respites in between. Attack each hard section, get your breath back, and then attack the next. Heading west through Pateley Bridge the road, which will be closed for the day, rears up viciously past the pub and out of town. This opening stretch of 18% gradient is evil, then it plateaus slightly before hitting the second hard ramp which peaks at 16%. Drag yourself through the woods to reach the third and longest section of climbing which is ever so slightly easier at 15%. The fourth and final ramp delivers you to the top of the moor where you finish at the sign for Greenhow village.

10/10r

aTi

nG

g r e e n h o W h i L L

Length 3990m

height gain 282m

average gradient 7%



top tip this is a long and very hard climb so don’t burn all your matches at the bottom. after each hard ramp, take a drink, recover, then get stuck in again.

F a C t F i L e


500 1000 1500 2000 2500 3000 35000m

500m

400

200

100

300

steepest part at 18%

much easier from

here

RIDE

timble

aSkWithmoor

SnoWdenCragS

Low Snowden

a s k W I t h m o o r

Once through Blubberhouses and across the A59 you’ll be heading generally uphill for the next five kilometeres all be it in three stages, the final of which is this testing ramp to the top of Askwith Moor. The sign on the approach warns of a 12% gradient which might undersell it to be honest, it feels and looks much steeper in places. Dip down to gather some momentum past the lone house on the right and Dick’s Beck on the left then as the road bends to the right the steepest slopes kick in. Whatever momentum you had soon evaporates as the road rises rapidly up towards the top of the Moor. Twisting a little but predominantly straight the brow ahead is never out of sight, however once reached you realise this is just the end of the toughest section and not the top. The remainder of the climb is gentle though and when you do reach the summit you are treated with fantastic views to the left and to the right across the open moor.

5/10ra

Tin

G

S n o W d e n b a n k

200 400 6000m

300m

275

250

225

Length 775m

height gain 54m

average gradient 7%


approx CLimb time 2.5mins

top tip build what speed you can on the approach then keep spinning your pedals fast by changing down through the gears as the gradient increases.

F a C t F i L e

1km


hit the base as fast as you can this looks

like the top but it’s

not!

RIDE

CoW and CaLF

iLkLey

iLkLey

2km

a65

b6382

I l k l e Y

One of the best spectator spots on the route this climb will be thick with fans when you arrive, all in high spirits, especially if they have been to the Inn at the top. The name Cow and Calf comes from the giant rocks that perch on the side of the moor, which legend says resemble a cow and her calf. I don’t see it myself – no doubt the story was devised over a few pints. But anyway, to the climb. Beginning on Cowpasture Road, the slope is quite steep and dead straight as it rises out of town. Following a slight kink and a tiny plateau, the scenery changes and the gradient picks up a touch. To your right is now moorland and you’ll just catch sight of the imposing rocks, a natural playground for climbers who stand watch as you suffer on the 12% slopes. Dead ahead the Inn pops up over the horizon – focus on this as once you pass it’s all over.

8/10r

aTi

nG

C o W a n d C a L F

Length 2010m

height gain 155m



approx CLimb time 7.5mins

top tip measure your effort to the half way point where there is a lull in the gradient then give it full gas to the top.

F a C t F i L e

1km


RIDE

200 400 600 800 1000 1200 1400 1600 1800 20000m

250m

200

150

100

cross over a cattle

grid

You’ll see the pub from here

the Chevin

a659

a660

otLey

o t l e Y

Chevin Bank is part of the cycling fabric in this part of Yorkshire, however, I have never documented it any of my books for the simple reason that it’s pure torture. It is evil, relentless, and coming towards the end of this ride will be the witness to much colourful language. Leaving the centre of Otley it ramps up over the A660, kinks left and then settles into the unforgiving gradient set on a wide and dead straight road. The lack of deviation can be a mind killer on such a long slope as whenever you look up you won’t seem to have travelled any further. A slight kink greets you at roughly half way but it’s only a single degree then it continues up under the cover of trees through Otley Chevin Forest Park. Here the road snakes a little, twisting left then right as the gradient finally begins to recede and you reach the summit where you can shout “Thank (insert word of your choice) for that”.

8/10r

aTi

nG

C h e v i n b a n k

250 500 750 1000 12500m

250m

200

150

100

a single straight line

of pain

Length 1750m

height gain 164m




top tip drop down to your smallest gear, don’t ever look more than 20 metres in front of you and just grind it out whilst reminding yourself it will all be over soon.

F a C t F i L e

1km

finally the relentless

slope eases


1500 1750

RIDE

w w w . 1 0 0 c l i m b s . c o . u k

by simon warren · Penny Pot lane 3425m2.1% cow and calf 2059m7% snowden bank 775m7% church lane...

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