One for the Leceister dwellers amongst you

[Ghost Donkey]

Hello, like a mupet I've signed up for an off road duathlon in Yorkshire in November. It's near my parents house and I signed up at the same time as a friend who lives there in an "I'll do it if you do" pact. Problem is it's a reasonably hilly course for the area but there's not much in the way of hills that I know of around the part of Leicester I live in (Wigston) to train on. I know of some good hills north of the city but I can't drive twelve miles each way at 11pm for a hill to run up. I regularly ride up an 11% hill between Saddington and Smeeton Westerby but it isn't very long. That's the only one I know this side of the city. Are there any secret mountains I've missed or will I be riding/running up and down the multi-story carpark inthe shires and hope security don't see me?

 

[BrumJim]

Beacon hill (Bradgate Park area) and Borough Hill are probably your best places to start.

Although I have moved away some time ago, and can't remember too much of the topography.

 

[Arch]

Hmm, yes, I can only think of the Swithland area....

Have you got an OS landranger map of the area - the contours on one of those might give you some clues. I'll try and remember to have a look at mine tonight.

Otherwise, carry bricks in your panniers the whole time....

 

[Kirstie]

Yes there are the leicester alps (well that's what we call them).
South east of the city is a place called Kibworth Beauchamp on the A6. If you look on a map east of there - basically towards Oakham and back - you'll be able to string together a loop which goes through places like Hallaton, Tugby, Goadby, Tilton on the Hill (it's called that for a reason), Launde, Somerby and Oakham itself. You can really knacker yourself around there. There are a series of ridges running E - W, one of which has the A47 going along the top of it, so just criss crossing those gives you a really good workout.

 

[TVC]

There are some tasty slopes in the Naseby, Brixworth, Coton triangle, many of which are to be found in the Spires & Squire Sportive:
http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/Naseby-Loop-80m-Sportive.

Not much good at 11pm, but I can't think of anything closer that others haven't mentioned, unless you think Wigston Lane is a hill.

 

[peterdowning]

Have you tried the hill on the road that goes past Saddington reservoir up to Gumley? It merits a chevron on the OS map. It's short but sharp. A few intervals up and down that - especially if it's wet and slippery - should help.
Otherwise I agree with the others -Bradgate Park/Charnwod Forest, or out east from Wigston towards Hallaton and Eyebrook Reservoir are good bets.

It'll just be very dark at 11.00pm

 

[PatrickPending]

If you head up to the vale of Belvoir theres a nice climb or two there, remembering a lovely downhill near eastwell, nice for high speeds - didn't do it in the other direction, and a nice wooded uphill somewhere near the castle. You can go via Tilton on the hill for extra fun. A few nice slopes on the way from south Killworth on the way to thornby via cold ashby. Nice ride too....

 

[Ghost Donkey]

Cheers for that, I'll be out and about this weekend. I rode the bike course this weekend gone and it's a bit harsh to say the least. The off road parts are quite technical for me as a roadie and someof the gradients are very nasty. Add to that I'm on a cheap MTB and the wind was so strong I couldn't freewheel on a slight downhill I can safely say it's the hardest 21km I've ever ridden. I'll be driving out at the weekend to he nastiest hills I can find at stupid o'clock in the morning to hurt myself on my cheap MTB. Saying that I enjoyed it an am scared enough to be very disciplined with my eating and training. I'll be looking for a road based race to aim for after I've (hopefully) completed this one.