My 20 minute Cragg Vale hill climb challenge

[ColinJ]

There is a bus turning area halfway up the steeper section in the middle of the climb. I know from experience of doing the climb frequently over the years, that I get to that point about midway through my ride. I can tell by then whether I am track to hit my goal for the day. If I am, I push on and go for it. If I am struggling, I accept it, back off, and just twiddle my way up the second half.

I normally turn left at the top, descend towards Ripponden, and turn left along Blue Ball Lane for a quiet scenic ride back to Mytholmroyd. Looks nice, doesn't it ...

Unfortunately, that route gets a bit dodgy later in the year when ice is about ...

I have the option of turning right at the top, descending to Littleborough and returning home via Todmorden instead, all on A-roads, which should be kept clear of ice in any scenario in which I would still be cycling!.

 

[Smurfy]

I live a couple of miles from this ...

That looks like fun! I think I'd like to have a go.

#Rushes off excitedly to try and find it on Google Maps#

Oh, and Colin, don't be too despondent about your times. You almost died, but your back on a bike and riding now.

 

[Smurfy]

Hmmm, this looks like the place. If the weather improves a bit I'll have a go.

 

[potsy]

I think I've only ridden up it once Colin, unfortunately I think it was pre-Garmin so have no idea what my time was, I do seem to remember keeping you company at the back of the group though

Good luck with the challenge, will keep an eye on your progress

 

[Deleted member 26715]

I think I need to challenge myself just to survive to the top of that hill still astride a bike by this time next year.

Alan...

 

[ColinJ]

Hmmm, this looks like the place. If the weather improves a bit I'll have a go.

That's the one!

If you want an extended challenge, turn right at the top and descend to Littleborough, turn right at the lights and ride to Todmorden, and turn right at the mini-roundabout there and ride back to Mytholmroyd via Hebden Bridge. It is almost exactly 20 miles back to where you started. A lot of local chain gangs try do it in under the hour. I did it solo in 1 hr 9 mins once (17.4 mph average), so I reckon an hour will be very possible for me if I ever manage the climb in 20 minutes. (The descent to Littleborough is about 2.5 miles and only takes about 4-5 minutes, so that would leave 35 minutes to tackle the remaining 12.5 miles, an average speed for that of 21.4 mph.)

 

[Smurfy]

That's the one!

If you want an extended challenge, turn right at the top and descend to Littleborough, turn right at the lights and ride to Todmorden, and turn right at the mini-roundabout there and ride back to Mytholmroyd via Hebden Bridge. It is almost exactly 20 miles back to where you started. A lot of local chain gangs try do it in under the hour. I did it solo in 1 hr 9 mins once (17.4 mph average), so I reckon an hour will be very possible for me if I ever manage the climb in 20 minutes. (The descent to Littleborough is about 2.5 miles and only takes about 4-5 minutes, so that would leave 35 minutes to tackle the remaining 12.5 miles, an average speed for that of 21.4 mph.)

By luck I looked in my map box just now and I have a copy of OL21.

 

[Rob3rt]

That's the one!

If you want an extended challenge, turn right at the top and descend to Littleborough, turn right at the lights and ride to Todmorden, and turn right at the mini-roundabout there and ride back to Mytholmroyd via Hebden Bridge. It is almost exactly 20 miles back to where you started. A lot of local chain gangs try do it in under the hour. I did it solo in 1 hr 9 mins once (17.4 mph average), so I reckon an hour will be very possible for me if I ever manage the climb in 20 minutes. (The descent to Littleborough is about 2.5 miles and only takes about 4-5 minutes, so that would leave 35 minutes to tackle the remaining 12.5 miles, an average speed for that of 21.4 mph.)

Or do a U-turn in Littlebrough and go back up Blackstone Edge Lovely climb that!

 

[ColinJ]

Or do a U-turn in Littlebrough and go back up Blackstone Edge Lovely climb that!

Oh, I intended to suggest that alternative, but forgot - thanks!

 

[Smurfy]

I've tried to look at the gradient profile in RideWithGPS, but unfortunately there's something wrong and the gradient flatlines after about 1/2 mile.

 

[potsy]

According to this Strava segment it's 3.8%
http://app.strava.com/segments/1187651

 

[ColinJ]

According to this Strava segment it's 3.8%
http://app.strava.com/segments/1187651

If the top 7 riders are not cheating, then they all went faster than the official HC record!

The average gradient for the entire hill (including the very shallow bits either end of the HC course) is about 3.3%.

Here's my version of the profile:

It's a very steady climb with one steeper section between 3 and 4 km of the full hill. The start and finish are almost flat, so the good folk of Mytholmroyd are stretching the definition of 'climb' to claim it as England's longest! By UK standards, it is still pretty long.

 

[400bhp]

Colin, why not do a CC meet there in the new year, say April? Give yourself a target.

 

[400bhp]

If the top 7 riders are not cheating, then they all went faster than the official HC record!
g.

Look at 7th place Colin

 

[Rob3rt]

Those times are probably legit (as far as Strava times go). I recognise a few of the names up the top there, Ben G and Ali W for sure.

James Gullen's winning time of 16:18.4 the other week was around a minute outside of the course record which was set in much more favourable conditions apparently.