Newbiggin Common – Simon Warren Cycling Climbs of the North East
- S/W Rating: 5/10
- Wheelygood Rating: Easy
- Length: 3.60 miles
- Avg. gradient: 6%
- Category: 2
- Strava Segment: https://www.strava.com/segments/19601453
This is a climb which starts steeper than it ends, but the top section is so exposed on the top of the common that it can feel tougher than the lower slopes. You approach this through the small backstreet of Newbiggin village (if you’ve descended the steeper sections of Miry Lane and don’t turn left to drop onto the main road, you’ll end up face to face with this one) and will be face, pretty much immediately, by the steepest section of the entire climb at a bit of 10%. Still, compared with some of the monsters around this area, it’s not so bad.
Until you get to the top, at which point you’ll have a much easier gradient, but, generally, much stronger wind, to contend with as well as a very poor road surface with cracks, patches, gravel and holes, often all in the same place. You may also have walkers and farmers on quad bikes depending on the time of year, and your luck. This section of the climb also includes a descent – and quite a steep one too at the finish. At the bottom of said descent is a particularly tricky piece of tarmac (and, usually, at least one sheep.) It’s tricky, because it’s in pieces scattered all over the place and you’ll just have to pick your line from a ways out and hope for the best. It it’s wet, then the puddle you’re about to ride through could well be rather deeper and have sharper edges than you expect. This will rob you of the momentum which would be really useful to help you up the short, steep, ramp which follows it. It’s not really a biggie and, assuming you’ve got your gear choice somewhere near, then you’ll be fine.
Survive this and you’ll make it to the top, assuming you can deal with the slog of the next 2-and-a-little-bit miles. There is a cattle grid part way up (and at the top), but it’s on a nice, straight, section of road and is no bother to cross. After that it’s a simple pattern of ‘ramp, relax’ all the way to the top. Speaking of the top, if you’re wondering where it is, then look a little bit left of straight ahead and assume that the furthest ridge line you can see extends right around in front of you and … there you go. So, essentially, it’s not the crest that’s directly in front of you, it’s the one after that.
The trick to the upper section, especially if it’s windy1, is not to try and think about how far away the top is, but just to keep pedalling to the next crest, or next passing place. You will, eventually, get to the top – promise!
And, once you get there, you’ll have a fantastic descent down Swinhope Head into Westgate – enjoy!
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…
i.e. most of the time. Sorry! ↩
