Barnesbury CC Hillclimb
- Wheelygood Rating: Easy
- Length: 0.43 miles
- Avg. gradient: 10%
- Strava Segment: https://www.strava.com/segments/2529465
Another of the local hillclimbs – Barnesbury Cycling Club this time1. It’s situated at the West end of Sandhoe and goes up pretty much from the start line. And when I say up, I really mean it – it’s a very steep start, so pick your gear with that in mind. Once you’ve done that, you can give it the beans from the start up the first of the two ramps, picking your line as you go – the road surface on this one is … tricky.
Around the corner, the road begins to flatten just a bit and, then, a little further on, flattens completely. If, like me, you’re just in this to ride the climbs, then this is a perfect place for a recovery. If, however, you’re racing then you’ll need to keep the pressure on as much as you dare whilst keeping just a little bit back for the final push. it’s lumpy and bumpy along here, so hang on to the bike as best you can!
Ahead of you, you’ll see the road tip skywards again and, as the slope gently builds, you’ll see daylight, and it’s that daylight which represents your escape from this particular climb. That’s the top up there! Between you and, it, though, is the hillclimb equivalent of barbed wire fencing: a pretty steep, bumpy, gravelly, slippery piece of road. If you made it up the first ramp, you’ll make it up this one – it’s a question of momentum over the lumps and traction everywhere else. Just keep it turning – the prize is right there!
Once you pop out of the forest the road flattens and you can breathe a sligh of relief2 as you’re done. Good effort – another hillclimb course done and dusted!
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…
As a random idea, you can ride five of them in a single ride – Hedley Hill, Prospect Hill, Whittonstall, Tyneside Vagabonds and Barnesbury – although you’re likely to be cursing me if you try it…
Or sprint like a good ‘un to the finish line, of course!
