How hard is Ditchling?

[frank9755]

Rich - nobody is going to believe that Terry is 53!

Beat me to that one!

I do mean Sheephouse Lane, which, for reasons that I cannot possibly fathom is called 'Friday Street' by the locals. There's a twenty metre rise at 1 in 4.

Other North Downs toughies

- White Hill Lane going up to Caterham - this is a particularly annoying item because, having thrown yourself up a 1 in 5 (I'd have walked if my then new SPD-Rs had let me) you come to a pub garden at the top, full of Range Rover driving oiks. 0.62 Ditchlings.

- Barr Hurst Lane near Ewhurst which goes up about 110 metres with a short stretch labelled 21%. 0.66 Ditchlings, but it is a beautiful ride.

The one that I had to walk up (after leaving your place with a stash of Fridays jerseys in the saddlebag the other day, as it happens) was Downe Road, approaching Cudham. It has two chevrons and it deserves them. It was the first time I'd had to get off and walk since primary school, so it was not done lightly but - on 44x16 - I couldn't make it.

I then had to get off two more times, on lesser hills but when I was more tired:
- Tandridgehill Road, coming back over the M25 and up the ridge. No chevrons but long. Probably ok when fresher.
- Slines Oak Road, near Warlingham. One chevron, I was even more tired by then.

I was then pleased to make it back over Crystal Palace as, at the end of the afternoon, that was by no means a tap in.

 

[threebikesmcginty]

...after leaving your place with a stash of Fridays jerseys in the saddlebag the other day...

Did Dell know, just asking like?

 

[ianrauk]

Beat me to that one!



The one that I had to walk up (after leaving your place with a stash of Fridays jerseys in the saddlebag the other day, as it happens) was Downe Road, approaching Cudham. It has two chevrons and it deserves them. It was the first time I'd had to get off and walk since primary school, so it was not done lightly but - on 44x16 - I couldn't make it.

I then had to get off two more times, on lesser hills but when I was more tired:
- Tandridgehill Road, coming back over the M25 and up the ridge. No chevrons but long. Probably ok when fresher.
- Slines Oak Road, near Warlingham. One chevron, I was even more tired by then.

I was then pleased to make it back over Crystal Palace as, at the end of the afternoon, that was by no means a tap in.

That is a bitch of a hill. It's not long but steep (just over 25%) and on a turn, with cars coming from your right as you go up. And at the bottom a couple of rather large bike hating dogs.

 

[frank9755]

That is a bitch of a hill. It's not long but steep (just over 25%) and on a turn, with cars coming from your right as you go up.

Yes; thinking back, the final bit was hard enough even to walk up. I thought I might have to crawl!

 

[frank9755]

Did Dell know, just asking like?

Shhh! Don't tell anyone!

 

[ianrauk]

Here you go Frank.. just to refresh your memory..

 

[JonnyBlade]

Beacon hill (Whites walk?)
Old Winchester Hill
Butser Hill
Portchester Lane
Crooked Man Walk

These are nice little climbs in Hampshire

 

[PpPete]

Beacon hill (Whites walk?)
Old Winchester Hill
Butser Hill
Portchester Lane
Crooked Man Walk

These are nice little climbs in Hampshire

Blissford Hill is "fun" too - over Fordingbridge way. A gentle little rise to sap any speed you might want to carry in to.... a short stretch of 25%.

Difficult to rate it in terms of Ditchling units because it's so short.

 

[PpPete]

The infamous "Struggle" from Ambleside to the top of the Kirkstone Pass rates about 5 Ditchlings, maybe 6.

 

[JonnyBlade]

Blissford Hill is "fun" too - over Fordingbridge way. A gentle little rise to sap any speed you might want to carry in to.... a short stretch of 25%.

Difficult to rate it in terms of Ditchling units because it's so short.

Pete,

Do you have any directions for those? I would like to have a crack

 

[dellzeqq]

Did Dell know, just asking like?

 

[dellzeqq]

Well I never, recall 3 of us having to manually assist the proto-MrsFF's 850 mini up that hill on one occasion.

yeah, right. Courtship ritual. She got her man.........

 

[dellzeqq]

Here you go Frank.. just to refresh your memory..

you see, that's a funny thing. I have no trouble at all with that hill, 39/21 notwithstanding. I just take a bit of a run-up, and whizz up, barely pausing for breath.

 

[Chris.IOW]

Blissford Hill is "fun" too - over Fordingbridge way. A gentle little rise to sap any speed you might want to carry in to.... a short stretch of 25%.

I did enjoy Blissford earlier this year. Got to the top okay and turned round just in time to see my sister get taken out by a bloke on a fixie who had run out of steam and just went sideways!

Butser hill was another favourite of this year so far!

 

[PpPete]

Pete,

Do you have any directions for those? I would like to have a crack

Grid Reference SU172133
From Brook (just off J1 of M27) follow signs for Fordingbridge. After Godshill there is a turning on left for Blissford.
There is a car park just to the SE which overlooks the forest - on a road that avoids the steep section.