If you ask us, there’s really nothing like a good climb to test your mettle when out on your road bike. Sure, flying along on the flat is fun, but if it was always like that you’d probably get bored pretty quick. In the West Country we’re blessed with plenty of challenging climbs, although we’ll admit you’re more likely to find short, sharp and steep ones than the seemingly never-ending ascents of the Alps or the Dolomites.
Regardless of statistics and stature, there are plenty of routes in the vicinity of our three shops in Bridgwater, Taunton and Weston-super-Mare that’ll provide you with more than enough of a challenge to keep things interesting.
Cheddar Gorge
Situated close to Weston-super-Mare, Cheddar Gorge is an absolutely iconic climb – not just in the West Country, but in the UK. It has hosted stages of the Tour of Britain, thanks in equal part to its challenging nature and dramatic appearance. The climb is just over 4km and climbs 173 metres. It’s not the steepest in this list, but it’ll certainly sting the legs over that distance.
Don’t expect to be taking the KOM on Strava for this one any time soon though – it’s currently held by pro racer Steve Lampier, who nailed the ascent in 8:18 as part of Stage 6 of the 2011 Tour of Britain. For us mere mortals, anything under 11 minutes would be pretty respectable.
Crowcombe Combe
Crowcombe Combe is a climb in the Quantock Hills near to Bridgwater. Despite being in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty there’s nothing pretty about this ascent – it’s one of those nasty, steep climbs we mentioned further up the page.
The Combe manages to climb an incredible 188 metres in 1.2km. That’s more climbing than Cheddar Gorge in a third of the distance. Ouch!
You’ll want to be spinning your lowest gear almost as soon as you hit the climb, with the average gradient hovering around 15%. In sections it gets as high as 25%. The record for this one is 6:16, but if you can do it in anywhere near 9:30 you should be giving yourself a huge pat on the back.
Corfe Hill
A little way south-east of Taunton is Corfe Hill, a 7.2km climb that takes you directly into the Blackdown Hills national park. The whole stretch averages a gradient of around 3%, but the latter half is a much more challenging 6%.
It’s a long old slog to the top, and the record (at least on Strava) stands at 14:44. Held by another pro, Tom Baylis of One Pro Cycling. Don’t feel too bad if you don’t beat his time – we reckon if you can get up in 21 mins you’ll have earned your slice of post-ride cake.
Image source: Cheddar: Wikimedia, Ricky Crowley. Crowcombe: Wikimedia, Derek Harper. Corfe/Blackdown hill: Wikimedia, Nick Chipcase.
