Barley Mill Lane – Simon Warren Cycling Climbs of the North East
- SW Rating: 5/10
- Wheelygood Rating: Medium
- Length: 0.52 miles
- Avg. gradient: 9%
- Strava Segment: https://www.strava.com/segments/19593809
- Route: https://www.plotaroute.com/route/993220
I have to thank the erstwhile Mr Warren for this one – I’d never heard of it before reading the book of North East climbs. Eschewing the more usual terrors of Ebchester and Medomsley Banks (they’re on my list!) we head west and down a road to which I’d never have given another thought.
Now, this road takes you down to the river and, if you head down there and have a look about at the local topography, you’ll see that this can only mean one thing: there’s a steep hill in the vicinity because everywhere else is up from where you are. Always a good start when it comes to climbing hills, I know, but you don’t get many gifts around here – and so it proves this time.
To add some spice to the occasion, the 15% sign at the bottom of Barley Mill Lane (or Barley Mill Road, if you’re an Open Streetmaps fan) is, erm, not looking at the bigger picture. The first part of the climb may, indeed, top out at 15%, but it gets a bunch steeper further up.
And that, in some ways, is the story of this particular climb. At about half a mile long, it’s not a distance monster, but it is pretty relentless when it comes to gradient. If you’re feeling spectacular, it’s one where you can try stamping out a rhythm at the bottom and seeing if you can hold it to the top (or, at least, into the housing estate). If you’re not feeling so sprightly, or it’s your first time, then find a low gear at the very start and remain in it until you get around the right hander in the aforementioned housing estate.
As you ride into the middle part of the climb, you’ll need to play ‘dodge the pothole’ in some sections. At least it takes your mind off the fact the road is straight and you can see it heading purposefully upwards for the next 100m as the trees wave their leaves at you in scorn. But, not to be vanquished, you will conquer this, only to reach…
The hardest section for your legs. This is the left hand kink as you reach the estate – the road kicks up nicely into the 20%s and, for added entertainment, it’s also just about into the prevailing wind. If you escape the headwind here, you’re pretty much guaranteed it as you bear right into the home straight (no gifts, remember!)
Once you’re amongst the houses, there could be people watching, so this isn’t the place to stop if you can help it. You may be scuppered, though, because there are usually parked cars along the sides of the road and, depending on the traffic, you may, or may not, get a clear run through to the junction which marks the end of the climb where you can give yourself a hug as this one’s not easy!
