Unthank Bank – Simon Warren #155
- S/W Rating: 5/10
- Wheelygood Rating: Medium
- Length: 1.86 miles
- Avg. gradient: 6%
- Category: 3
- Strava Segment: https://www.strava.com/segments/16337692
You can see this climb on the other side of the valley when you’re descending Crawleyside. And, if you’re like most people, you’d be thinking something along the lines of ‘who’d be stupid enough to try and ride that?’
The good news is that, since you’re reading this, you’re manifestly not like other people and I can reveal that … although it’s certainly got its challenges, Unthank Bank is very definitely rideable. In fact, I’d probably argue that, in some ways, the descent is actually worse – the switchbacks are really quite tight and technical to negotiate safely and efficiently.
But I’m not here to talk about going down1. Shoving it up is more my style2 and, at least for the, er, bottom part, that is exactly the approach (if you’ll excuse the phraseology.)
More rationally, Unthank Bank can be divided roughly into three parts: the tricky bit at the bottom, the steep and hard bit in the middle and the steady away, Alpine-esque, section at the top. In other words, brace yourself initially and then slowly relax as you get further up.
Before you even get there, though, there’s a technical challenge: an old railway line crosses the road. Please, please, be careful over this – shiny metal rails and skinny road tyres do not fine bedfellows make!
As you approach the climb proper you’ll see that most of it is hidden by the trees. This is probably for the best, because once you hit the initial right hander, the road goes straight up to 20%. There’s no messing about here. Grind your way up this section to the first hairpin; if you’re lucky you can push out to towards the centreline for a slightly easier line around the first one. The traffic is normally pretty sympathetic towards anyone brave [Stupid? – Ed] enough to be attempting it. The second hairpin follows pretty much immediately, but, as it’s a right hander, it’s much easier to keep to the shallower route by the edge of the road. It also feels just that little bit easier than the preceding section of road.
Once through the hairpins, it’s time to dig in as the road curves right once more onto a Big Ramp. Nothing for it, but to keep turning the pedals. It goes steep->slightly less steep->steep before it levels out somewhat. The fortunate part is that if you can make it up this bit, then you’ve done all the steep stuff and you can relax into a much steadier, final, part of the climb. Just ignore what your legs are telling you and bury it to the end of this ramp.
Whilst the road will continue to drag on, you’ll have some definite respite (unless the wind is up, in which case, my apologies, but you’ll have a slog all the way to the top now) up to the cattle grid. It’s probably worth making the most of it as the final section does drag on a bit!
Once over the grid, you’ll have the chance to settle into a nice, steady(ish) 6-7-8% grade all the way to the top. The prevailing South-Westerly might make this feel rather harder, but, on the right day, it’s a pleasure to sit and spin up the remainder. If it is windy, though, then brace yourself as it’ll be a tough finish to the ascent, but, if you’ve made it this far, then you’ll be absolutely fine.
You’ll know when you’ve reached the top – the road starts to point slightly downwards. It’s on a left hand bend, but is, otherwise, completely unremarkable. Once you’ve reached this point (and the pedalling is easier), then you can give yourself a small cheer for an excellent job in making it up before getting ready to have a go aty the next one, the climb to Bollihope Common…
If there are any other road climbs you’d like me to take on, the more ridiculous the better, then please send me a message on my FaceBook page https://www.facebook.com/wheelygoodcycling/ or email me on wheelygoodmail@gmail.com and let me know…