[Other Sport] Cycling geeks

[1066familyman]

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Top ride 10.

Thanks banjo. To be clear, it was Hills and Mills we rode yesterday, not Mad Jacks. I've not yet gone for the full straight jacket approach!

 

[1066familyman]

Happy Sunday evening geeks

Ok so below is our local hills, for local people, from the 100 Greatest Climbs book.
Whatever way you slice it The Wall sticks out from that list, like a sore thumb.

https://cyclinguphill.com/box-hill/
https://cyclinguphill.com/yorks-hill/
https://cyclinguphill.com/white-lane-bec-cc-hill-climb/
https://cyclinguphill.com/leith-hill-climb/
https://cyclinguphill.com/100-climbs/whitedowns/
https://cyclinguphill.com/100-climbs/the-wall/
https://cyclinguphill.com/100-climbs/toys-hill/
https://cyclinguphill.com/100-climbs/steyning-bostal/
https://cyclinguphill.com/100-climbs/ditchling-beacon/

This is 'our' climbs from 'Another 100 Climbs'

https://veloviewer.com/segment/16290971 Ashdown Forest
https://veloviewer.com/segment/16291115 Combe Lane
https://veloviewer.com/segment/16291169 Chalkpit Lane
https://veloviewer.com/segment/8255811 Coldharbour Lane
https://veloviewer.com/segment/16291277 Quell Lane
https://veloviewer.com/segment/16291325 Barhatch Lane
https://veloviewer.com/segment/16298336 Ventnor.

Greater Sussex has Quell Lane is the other side of Jays Lane which in turn is just up from Bexley Hill, all of which have more about them than 'The Wall'.
Not to mention climbs to Goodwood, Harting or all the 'hidden' climbs esp around Petworth.
Blackdown which is the highest point of The Downs.

Further afield Old Winchester and Butser Hills have more of a statement about them that 'The Wall', which just isn't.


Maybe that's what I'm bibbling about, if it were called The Speed Bump, I wouldn't be all titsy now!

I suspect there's two reasons why you're getting titsy SB.

1) You know there's much 'harder' climbs local to you. It puzzles you why some of these don't get a mention.

2) The term 'The Wall'. I can see why it's called that because of the view up it, but it really is misleading if your idea of a wall is something super steep that just hits you out of nowhere ( that's my idea of a wall ). I know a few of these locally, and they really feel like walls, whereas Kidds Hill just doesn't.

 

[1066familyman]

After doing some hills in France last year I now look out of my window at the Southdowns, and think why was I so worried. All I’ve got to do is get my mojo back, and get back on it.

The Kemmelberg is the only 'climb' I've ever done abroad. That's not even a climb in the proper sense.

A certain poster on here has been climbing in France plenty of times, tackling quite a few of the famous ones. When I ask him about them, the mind just boggles to be honest. I don't think I've ever tackled a climb than goes on for more than about 4kms, so the thought of climbing for well into double figure kms almost seems impossible to me. I could see myself pretending to be into photography and stopping lots of times to take pictures if ever I attempted any proper climbing

 

[Stat Brother]

I suspect there's two reasons why you're getting titsy SB.

1) You know there's much 'harder' climbs local to you. It puzzles you why some of these don't get a mention.

2) The term 'The Wall'. I can see why it's called that because of the view up it, but it really is misleading if your idea of a wall is something super steep that just hits you out of nowhere ( that's my idea of a wall ). I know a few of these locally, and they really feel like walls, whereas Kidds Hill just doesn't.

I'm trying to judge the climbs solely on how hard they are.
There's also it's length and view.
Not to mention it's desirability to return once you've straddled it.

Anyhoo enough of this silliness.

I'm pleased to have ridden all but White Lane from 100 and only missing 2 & 3 from the second lot. (that's if you'll allow me going down the one at Ventnor!)

I'll go back to any of them and the ones I've mentioned long before going to The Wall.
It's definitely the name, I'm really struggling to even type it!

The Kemmelberg is the only 'climb' I've ever done abroad. That's not even a climb in the proper sense.

A certain poster on here has been climbing in France plenty of times, tackling quite a few of the famous ones. When I ask him about them, the mind just boggles to be honest. I don't think I've ever tackled a climb than goes on for more than about 4kms, so the thought of climbing for well into double figure kms almost seems impossible to me. I could see myself pretending to be into photography and stopping lots of times to take pictures if ever I attempted any proper climbing

The thought of long Alpine climbs really doesn't appeal the older (and fatter) I've got.
Barhatch feels a lot longer than the 2.4kms quoted.
I also remember a really nice long climb North East of Ardingly, as a loosened to the fearsome Cobb Lane. (not a top climb)

 

[banjo]

The Kemmelberg is the only 'climb' I've ever done abroad. That's not even a climb in the proper sense.

A certain poster on here has been climbing in France plenty of times, tackling quite a few of the famous ones. When I ask him about them, the mind just boggles to be honest. I don't think I've ever tackled a climb than goes on for more than about 4kms, so the thought of climbing for well into double figure kms almost seems impossible to me. I could see myself pretending to be into photography and stopping lots of times to take pictures if ever I attempted any proper climbing

Last year was my first time. Alpe d’huez, and The Galibier. Oh and a little local hill which was an hour of climbing. I bloody hate hills. I’m glad I’ve done it, and maybe one day I’ll be mad enough to ride them again.
A few ticked off the bucket list.
Next time need to get down and do some riding in Pogue country.

 

[Pogue Mahone]

I'm trying to judge the climbs solely on how hard they are.
There's also it's length and view.
Not to mention it's desirability to return once you've straddled it.

Anyhoo enough of this silliness.

I'm pleased to have ridden all but White Lane from 100 and only missing 2 & 3 from the second lot. (that's if you'll allow me going down the one at Ventnor!)

I'll go back to any of them and the ones I've mentioned long before going to The Wall.
It's definitely the name, I'm really struggling to even type it!



The thought of long Alpine climbs really doesn't appeal the older (and fatter) I've got.
Barhatch feels a lot longer than the 2.4kms quoted.
I also remember a really nice long climb North East of Ardingly, as a loosened to the fearsome Cobb Lane. (not a top climb)

Well then, you should try some Pyrenean ones instead.

Nothing is better than the feeling you get when you finally crest a monster climb. I am off again in a couple of weeks. Can't wait.

 

[Pogue Mahone]

Last year was my first time. Alpe d’huez, and The Galibier. Oh and a little local hill which was an hour of climbing. I bloody hate hills. I’m glad I’ve done it, and maybe one day I’ll be mad enough to ride them again.
A few ticked off the bucket list.
Next time need to get down and do some riding in Pogue country.

Welcome any time matey.

We'll do Col de Jau, Col de Pailhieres and col de Portel...and other beautiful but not so fearsome climbs!

Look them up!

 

[1066familyman]

Welcome any time matey.

We'll do Col de Jau, Col de Pailhieres and col de Portel...and other beautiful but not so fearsome climbs!

Look them up!

I just did. Rather you than me!

 

[banjo]

Welcome any time matey.

We'll do Col de Jau, Col de Pailhieres and col de Portel...and other beautiful but not so fearsome climbs!

Look them up!

Cheers Pogue. How do you motivate yourself to ride back here in sunny Sussex? I’ve really struggled since my trip. The perfect roads, scenery, oh! and motorist that respect cyclists.

 

[Stat Brother]

Well then, you should try some Pyrenean ones instead.

Nothing is better than the feeling you get when you finally crest a monster climb. I am off again in a couple of weeks. Can't wait.

Like Moto I'm always very jealous of your Strava photos, which I love looking at.

 

[Stat Brother]

As it was annoying me I've looked it up.
The Ardingly climb was 'Highbrook climb' from south of Ardlingly to Sharpthorne.
Strava has it as 2.32 miles, (just shy of 4kms) averaging only 3%.

It turns out I've only ridden it once (I thought I at least went back once) way back in 2015 and yet I still remember it well and rate it considerably better than The not a Wall.

 

[Pogue Mahone]

Cheers Pogue. How do you motivate yourself to ride back here in sunny Sussex? I’ve really struggled since my trip. The perfect roads, scenery, oh! and motorist that respect cyclists.

If it had been sunny Sussex recently I may have found it less of a struggle...

My strava feed will give you the answer. I have cut back enormously on riding Sussex roads recently - my MOJO is well and truly shot to pieces.

When (if?) it warms up a bit, stops raining and the gales relent, I hope that I will be back on it. But when I'm here I'm looking for excuses not to go out, and when I'm there I can't get out enough!

 

[Pogue Mahone]

I just did. Rather you than me!

You'd love it - especially mid-summer with temperatures over 35 degrees. It's made for you.

 

[Pogue Mahone]

Cheers Pogue. How do you motivate yourself to ride back here in sunny Sussex? I’ve really struggled since my trip. The perfect roads, scenery, oh! and motorist that respect cyclists.

And yes - the motorists.It took me a while to realise that the people who shout at you when you're climbing in France are not telling you to get out of the way. They're yelling "Allez, allez, allez" and "bon courage! and "chapeau".

Often giving a sustained round of applause too.

 

[1066familyman]

You'd love it - especially mid-summer with temperatures over 35 degrees. It's made for you.

Yes, I think mid Summer would be ideal for me... why else do you think I'm doing these Winter miles, if not for the Summer smiles

 

[Fignon's Ponytail]

Finally feeling well enough to get out on the bike again...although my legs totally disagreed this morning.
Just taking it easy after a month of hospitalization, scans, & general illness - but going to try a gentle 10 miler at lunchtime to see how I do.
Really hope its the last of it, & I can get out more & more....my "Happy New Year" starts now.

 

[Stat Brother]

I slipped over at work today, I didn't half smack my knee.

I slipped next to a 'caution wet floor' sign, outside the Occupational Health office.

 

[Stat Brother]

Finally feeling well enough to get out on the bike again...although my legs totally disagreed this morning.
Just taking it easy after a month of hospitalization, scans, & general illness - but going to try a gentle 10 miler at lunchtime to see how I do.
Really hope its the last of it, & I can get out more & more....my "Happy New Year" starts now.

Spurred on by the weekends chat and 1066's efforts I tried to find my mojo yesterday afternoon.
I think I need to keep looking

 

[Fignon's Ponytail]

Well, my nice gentle cruise got me 2 new PR's on Strava...not world beating times, but Im chuffed with them.
Didn't think I would be anywhere close to any reasonable times after 7 weeks off the bike tbh )

 

[Surf's Up]

Just got my Dutch stylee Raleigh upright electric bike out of the shed ready to take on all you shaven, lycra-clad racers as you grind up the hills of Brighton and the downs. It will be me purring past you, whistling.