Stoupe Brow – Simon Warren Cycling Climbs of Yorkshire
- SW Rating: 8/10
- Wheelygood Rating: Hard
- Length: 1.67 miles
- Avg. gradient: 8%
- Category: 3
- Strava Segment: https://www.strava.com/segments/19507850
- Route: https://www.plotaroute.com/route/1121972
- Parking: There is a car park at the top of the climb itself, but, if you’re riding, then the Station car park, Robin Hood’s Bay is a good base for the area.
Any bike ride which begins at the seaside and ventures inland is likely to go uphill: the land is higher than the sea and, thus, height must be gained. The nature of this height gain differs according to the specific location and some are, relatively, gentle – almost non existent – whilst others…
In some ways there’s no need for me to provide any commentary on this one, because the name of this Strava segment pretty much says it all (Caution: NSFW!): https://www.strava.com/segments/7243491
Also, this is an unusual hill in that you must first descend it before tacking the climb. This means you’ll have seen the 33% sign on the way down and tried very hard hot to fall off on that section with its steepness, hairpins and liberally sprinkled gravel. You need to put all of this out of your mind when it comes to turning round and going back up, because it’s the kind of climb where hesitation anywhere means you’ll be putting a foot down.
So, it begins in what feels like someone’s private driveway, but I suspect it is likely to be a (little known) public car park. From there, it’s a singletrack right to the top which begins as a pretty innocent drag, before plunging down one of those little rollers where it is impossible to pick the correct gear: try to pick one to maintain momentum on the upslope and it’s guaranteed to be too high and your knees will explode, but try to pick for the actual gradient and you’ll pick too low and will, thus, make Chris Froome look like a grinder.
And … that’s it for quarter of a mile. Apart from the ribbon of tarmac you can see snaking up the face of the very prominent hill lying directly in front of you.
The climb proper starts just past the farm where you’re greeted by an initial ramp that is just there to soften you up for the steep section. It’s deceptive in that it looks like it relents part way up, but it doesn’t, really. You’ll be picking your way up the 14-16% incline all the way to the point the road kicks up again and then disappears behind the trees.
We’re now reaching that bit from the descent. If, like me, you have a 28 sprocket on the back then you’re in for a slow, hurty, grind all the way to the top of this section. If, like I should have, you’ve got a 32 then you’re in for just as hurty time, but the grinding will be lessened so that your knees may, one day, forgive you. This is an extremely nasty piece of road – it’s steep, windy, narrow and has gravel in parts. I never saw it reach the claimed 33%, but, to be fair, the gradient I did get was plenty to be going on with. There’s nothing for it but to keep your head down (physically if you’re seated and metaphorically if you’re standing) and just keep concentrating on the getting the next pedal stroke over top-dead-centre. You can do this, although, after ten seconds, you might not want to. But don’t give in – it does relent. Eventually.
And, when it does, you’ll think you’ve conquered the world. It’s just a shame that there’s plenty more climb left to go, although none of it is in the same league. Before all that, though, is a nice, easy, false flat.
When it does kick off again, it’s nowhere near as bad and you’ll float your way up here like it was nothing. It’s worth sticking in here, because it’s followed by another flat section – almost properly flat, in fact. This is even long enough for you to catch your breath properly, which is most welcome!
Again, the pattern repeats. Decent sized ramp followed by reasonable recovery…
…into a long, long, ramp that makes up the bulk of the climb’s top section. In fact, it doesn’t really drop below double figures until you’ve almost reached the radio mast at the top. It doesn’t ever get stupid steep, like the lower parts, but it is challenging and, as it’s quite steady, you will have to pace yourself here otherwise you’ll be in a world of hurt well before half way up this bit. The climb does break itself down into natural chunks – bits of bends here, changes in gradient there and so on which really does help to pass the time instead of forcing you to wonder when it’s ever going to end.
And, then, as the mast approaches, the slope eases and you know you’re onto the last few metres. Just keep it going all the way to the top!
All done! Brilliant effort – this is a nasty climb, so properly well done for making it to the top!
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…
