Game: Name that road!

[ColinJ]

So... from the sun's direction you're probably heading north into Oxfordshire, with mast visible and woods both side of the road.

B4494 heading towards Wantage?

You could be onto something there...

 

[figbat]

Yep - that's it! From what I can make out my bike is parked inside West Berkshire by just a few metres.

 

[roubaixtuesday]

OK, so this might also be very easy...

How about some pavé?

 

[Aravis]

I think that is the Shibden Wall, at the bottom of the cobbled section. The funny-shaped dry stone wall on the right is a match for the image on Streetview.

 

[ColinJ]

I think that is the Shibden Wall, at the bottom of the cobbled section. The funny-shaped dry stone wall on the right is a match for the image on Streetview.

You get about a bit...You seem to recognise roads all over the country!

I have neglected most of the cobbled climbs round here, including that one. The only one that I do (fairly) regularly is the shortish stretch of cobbles up through Heptonstall (and it usually is UP because descending on cobbles isn't my favourite thing, especially when they are wet).

That looks SERIOUSLY hard!!!

 

[ColinJ]

PS I just read the comments for that video - the rider climbed it in a 39/28 gear!

 

[Aravis]

You get about a bit...You seem to recognise roads all over the country!

I remember it from the Kelloggs Tour, possibly 1988. Liggett did a big anticipatory feature on it. Then not long afterwards on one of my tours I noticed I was riding past the top of it. Apart from the Hovis hill in Shaftesbury it the only name I ever think of when cobbles get mentioned regarding a UK road.

Now, just in case they're getting too easy, I'll try this one. It'll need a clue - I was on a day ride, but I'd lugged myself quite a long way
to get here:

 

[roubaixtuesday]

I think that is the Shibden Wall, at the bottom of the cobbled section. The funny-shaped dry stone wall on the right is a match for the image on Streetview.

You think correctly. Either you're far too good at this, or my roads are far too obvious

 

[roubaixtuesday]

PS I just read the comments for that video - the rider climbed it in a 39/28 gear!

34/28 for me. Probably the longest cobbled climb I've done, but not as bad as it looks in all honesty.

 

[ColinJ]

34/28 for me. Probably the longest cobbled climb I've done, but not as bad as it looks in all honesty.

Tell that to the guy walking up with the mountain bike in the video!

I use 28/30 for the steep stuff these days and I have never climbed a long, steep stretch of cobbles. I feel that I am going to have to ride over and tackle Shibden Wall at least once.

I also ought to have a look at Trooper Lane while I am over there...



(Cheeky rest on side street at 7:22!)

Hmm... Maybe not!

 

[robjh]

I remember it from the Kelloggs Tour, possibly 1988. Liggett did a big anticipatory feature on it. Then not long afterwards on one of my tours I noticed I was riding past the top of it. Apart from the Hovis hill in Shaftesbury it the only name I ever think of when cobbles get mentioned regarding a UK road.

Now, just in case they're getting too easy, I'll try this one. It'll need a clue - I was on a day ride, but I'd lugged myself quite a long way
to get here:

View attachment 541074

Nice road @Aravis, but still not very clue-full. I'll guess it's within about 80 miles of Gloucester; and those could be the parapets of a railway bridge - but might just be walls. I feel I'm not getting very close.

 

[Aravis]

Nice road @Aravis, but still not very clue-full. I'll guess it's within about 80 miles of Gloucester; and those could be the parapets of a railway bridge - but might just be walls. I feel I'm not getting very close.

Indeed. I won't let this one drag on too long, but perhaps I've given a bit of time for people to think of others?

Turn to your left, and this is the view. Again, very nice but not particularly clueful:

Recognising the river will be a huge help, hence the clue in the original post...

 

[Milkfloat]

Indeed. I won't let this one drag on too long, but perhaps I've given a bit of time for people to think of others?

Turn to your left, and this is the view. Again, very nice but not particularly clueful:

View attachment 541560

Recognising the river will be a huge help, hence the clue in the original post...

I recognised the clue of the river name, but was looking the wrong side of Leominster

https://www.google.com/maps/@52.254...4!1s34emXYmO4oYkZAxXWoSxEg!2e0!7i13312!8i6656

 

[Milkfloat]

This is one you will recognise if you have ridden it, although the road surface has been cleaned up since Google visited.

To make it a little easier for those not lucky enough to have not ridden it, Simon Warren has a nearby climb in his top 20 list, but he should have picked this one instead.

 

[Aravis]

Well done @Milkfloat. The location is the village of Kingsland, a few miles upstream from Leominster, on the road heading to Yarpole. It's a very pleasant area which I'm glad to draw attention to. Both the Lugg and its tributary, the Arrow. enable you get quite deep into the hills with tackling anything arduous - my sort of roads, really.

I see you've already posted the next. I shall have to follow the clues.