My Biggest Climb Today

[Deleted member 20519]

... and it wasn't as hard as I'd expected. The last time I did it was on my mountain bike and I couldn't even do the first climb before having to walk, this time I didn't even need to get out of the saddle (I think the road bike helped) and was able to climb all the way up without stopping. I don't know the exact gradient but damn, it was steep.

It's this hill for anyone who's interested, long and steep - I'm going back up it tomorrow! https://www.google.com/maps?q=Gleni...d=Rc10DpU-dA5O7i4U0R3eVA&cbp=12,200.08,,0,3.8

Not only that, I had a really good downhill bit and I was at 35mph at one point. Oh, it was raining too with very poor visibility! I think my friend cycling behind me and giving me words of motivation definitely helped.


And here's me, at the top - resting.

 

[Davehateshills]

Well done, that looks like one BIG hill and I don't like hills. I must admit though that they are getting easier the more I do them. I am also of the opinion that I would be better at hills on a road bike. Time to apply more pressure on the OH as Decathlon are starting to run out of Triban 3's!

 

[sittingbull]

Well done on the climb

Just curious....how do you get the bottle out of the cage?....in fact, how did you get it in?

 

[Deleted member 20519]

Well done, that looks like one BIG hill and I don't like hills. I must admit though that they are getting easier the more I do them. I am also of the opinion that I would be better at hills on a road bike. Time to apply more pressure on the OH as Decathlon are starting to run out of Triban 3's!

Your other half is NOT wanting a Triban 3?

Well done on the climb

Just curious....how do you get the bottle out of the cage?....in fact, how did you get it in?

Thanks! The bottle, just pull it to the side - it's the same for getting it in too. The cage isn't rigid so there's a bit of room for movement

 

[Davehateshills]

Your other half is NOT wanting a Triban 3?

My other half is not keen on me spending ANY money on a bike, apparently I have a perfectly good bike!

 

[zizou]

Know it well, although its been a few months since i was up it. If you take the Sergeant Law road (the road on the left when you are about a third of the way up Glennifer road) then that is good challenge too. Kicks up to about 17% gradient at the steep bit. https://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&...d=vOpEX49lu3Helf4KotxTEw&cbp=12,135,,0,0&z=15

I'd also recommend the route from Elderslie on this road https://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&...=3jvhbdvdTrQy6DnvS5bh6A&cbp=12,229.08,,0,1.19

 

[Deleted member 20519]

Know it well, although its been a few months since i was up it. If you take the Sergeant Law road (the road on the left when you are about a third of the way up Glennifer road) then that is good challenge too. Kicks up to about 17% gradient at the steep bit. https://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&...d=vOpEX49lu3Helf4KotxTEw&cbp=12,135,,0,0&z=15

I'd also recommend the route from Elderslie on this road https://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&...=3jvhbdvdTrQy6DnvS5bh6A&cbp=12,229.08,,0,1.19

The route to Elderslie is the one we went on today, that's where I hit 35. I'm planning to do the same route expect instead of turning right to Elderslie, I'm going to go straight on and that takes you to Loch Winnoch.

 

[zizou]

The route to Elderslie is the one we went on today, that's where I hit 35. I'm planning to do the same route expect instead of turning right to Elderslie, I'm going to go straight on and that takes you to Loch Winnoch.

Yeah its a nice descent although the switchback corner under the trees can sometimes be a bit slippery.

There are a couple of other options of getting to Loch Winnoch if you stay up the top of the braes - if you go straight on here https://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&...sc-tp8woBRbu-NU4w&cbp=12,242.41,,0,13.68&z=15 then eventually you will be above Howwood and can go either down the hill there then join the cycletrack or continue on past the reservoir and follow the sign to Newton of Belltrees and go down there...lots of nice cycling in the area with many farm lanes to explore which are in decent condition and usually very quiet.

 

[Deleted member 20519]

Yeah its a nice descent although the switchback corner under the trees can sometimes be a bit slippery.

There are a couple of other options of getting to Loch Winnoch if you stay up the top of the braes - if you go straight on here https://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&...sc-tp8woBRbu-NU4w&cbp=12,242.41,,0,13.68&z=15 then eventually you will be above Howwood and can go either down the hill there then join the cycletrack or continue on past the reservoir and follow the sign to Newton of Belltrees and go down there...lots of nice cycling in the area with many farm lanes to explore which are in decent condition and usually very quiet.

Yeah, that's what I was planning to do. Go straight on at the junction that you linked and then go back down to Castle Semple Loch and then join the cycle track. I might explore around a bit like you said, I've never really stopped there, only passed through.

 

[zizou]

There is a poster on here who has quite a few routes mapped out for the area on his website

(although i cant remember their username nor their website address so thats not much of a help )