Featherstone Bank – Simon Warren Cycling Climbs of the North East
- SW Rating: 2/10
- Wheelygood Rating: Easy
- Length: 0.43 miles
- Avg. gradient: 7%
- Strava Segment: https://www.strava.com/segments/16241596
- Parking: There’s space to park a car at the bottom of the hill near the Haltwhistle Camping and Caravanning Club Site just off Bellister Bank
I confess that this is another ‘local’ hill which I’d never heard of, but, having ridden it a few times now, it’s worth the effort – it’s easy to combine with Plenmeller Common, which is very close by.
As you ride around towards the bottom, you can see, on your left, that peculiar state of greenery which only seems to occur near an old British House: flat, well manicured grass with the odd tree in an aesthetically pleasing position. It isn’t long before the reason for this appearance is revealed: you’ll pass Featherstone Hall on your right. As you do so, you’ll catch a good look at the climb you’re about to reach.
It’s not a difficult climb, this – at least not in the context of Simon Warren ascents. It almost begins gently with the first of a few bends and, as you wind your way back and forth across the hillside, this will feel very much like a shorter, slightly steeper, Box Hill. Things change slightly after the second ‘hairpin’: this is where you’ll reach the main ramp of the climb. It’s steady and not stupid steep and the main difficulty is making sure you keep just a little left in the tank…
..for the left-right which steepen just that little bit more and add a final challenge before the road relents and you roll on to the summit.
And that’s it – done. As quickly and easily as that: good job!
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…
