My 20 minute Cragg Vale hill climb challenge
- Thread starter ColinJ
- Start date
Page may contain affiliate links. Please see terms for details.
Richard A Thackeray
Legendary Member
Ridden the 'Snake' quite a few times over the years, it's a little toughy
After starting from Wakefield, up to Midgely roundabout, down into Denby Dale, then the long drag from there, up to 'Sovereign cross-roads'
Down into New Mills, Holmfirth
Over 'the Moss'
Over to Glossop
'Snake' & Lady Bower
Mortimer Road ('Strines' - the tough way), & home via Penistone and Denby Dale
OP
OP
ColinJ
Puzzle game procrastinator!
- Location
- Todmorden - Yorks/Lancs border
Sounds good! I have ridden most of that route at one time or another but not all on the same day.
I am having to back off a bit from making strong efforts. The last time up through Cragg Vale, I was feeling good so I pushed harder but then I felt my heart rhythm go out of whack. It happened a lot last year when I got ill, but stopped when I got better and came off Warfarin.
I can still lower my times by improving my cycling fitness and losing more weight, but I had better not push myself too hard while I am like this.
It is frustrating, but the winter is coming soon anyway and I had anticipated doing most of my 'cycling' on the gym bike until the spring.
Last edited:
Steve H
Large Member
- Location
- Brighouse in West Yorkshire
I love your 20 minute challenge Colin! I've been out this morning and had a go at it. A fairly calm day, so no ludicrous head win for the last couple of km. I got a PB of 34:28. If I can get below 30 minutes I'll be pretty chuffed. 20 mins may be a challenge too far. Will keep having a bash at it over the next few months to see how low I can get. Should be a bit faster in the Spring time when we can lose the additional weight of mudguards, lights, loads of extra clothing layers (that's my excuse anyway!)
OP
OP
ColinJ
Puzzle game procrastinator!
- Location
- Todmorden - Yorks/Lancs border
You will definitely be able to take at least 7 or 8 minutes off that time Steve! You have been quicker than me on some forum rides, and I was quicker then than I am now, but I know that I can get my time down to 28 minutes even with dodgy health!
You will have to shed a few pounds though ...
Pennine-Paul
Goth on a bike............
Just got back from doing the Cragg on my fixed gear,
way overgeared at 80 inches (46/15 )so the mid section was a real grunt.
I managed 26:30,have done it in 24 mins with the assistance of 2 roadies who
let me draft them all the way up,cant see me ever getting anywhere near 20 mins
without a howling north wind for assistance
way overgeared at 80 inches (46/15 )so the mid section was a real grunt.
I managed 26:30,have done it in 24 mins with the assistance of 2 roadies who
let me draft them all the way up,cant see me ever getting anywhere near 20 mins
without a howling north wind for assistance
OP
OP
ColinJ
Puzzle game procrastinator!
- Location
- Todmorden - Yorks/Lancs border
I rode up it with a mate today but I took the GPS off my bike to avoid the temptation to time myself!
As a result, I had a nice relaxed ride. I probably need to spend the winter doing that kind of ride before pushing myself more in the spring.
It has certainly got easier, having now lost so much weight. There were a few short ramps which I didn't even notice because I was busy chatting. Worryingly, there were also a few fast descents that I didn't notice either ...
As a result, I had a nice relaxed ride. I probably need to spend the winter doing that kind of ride before pushing myself more in the spring.
It has certainly got easier, having now lost so much weight. There were a few short ramps which I didn't even notice because I was busy chatting. Worryingly, there were also a few fast descents that I didn't notice either ...
the_mikey
Legendary Member
- Location
- South Gloucestershire
I will gladly try this Cragg Vale climb in 2014, all I've got to practice on are the short sharp 16%-20% climbs up the side of the Cotswold ridge. Is it as steep as the climb up past the cow & calf from Ilkley?
Hill Wimp
Fair weathered,fair minded but easily persuaded.
OP
OP
ColinJ
Puzzle game procrastinator!
- Location
- Todmorden - Yorks/Lancs border
Absolutely not!
It is a gentle drag to start with, then steepens in the middle for a short stretch of moderate gradient, and then becomes another drag but one which normally has a nagging cross/headwind on it. The wind is the main difficulty. It is only the length of the climb, by UK standards, that makes it significant.
It is a power climb, rather than a true climbers' climb! Manchester Wheelers chaingang overtook me on the steepest section once, all on the big ring, and doing about 16 mph!
Mattonsea
Über Member
- Location
- New Forest
Its funny how people bang on about going to France and riding the climbs over there but we have some legendary climbs
here. If I could take the time off I would book in to a BB and have 3 or 4 days having a go at Cragg Vale .
here. If I could take the time off I would book in to a BB and have 3 or 4 days having a go at Cragg Vale .
OP
OP
ColinJ
Puzzle game procrastinator!
- Location
- Todmorden - Yorks/Lancs border
Well, it's not exactly Alpe d'Huez, but it is a nice challenge to have a go at.
There were lots of people riding on it today, and I can only see it becoming more popular as the Tour de France approaches.
The villagers of Cragg Vale are attempting to create the world's longest bunting for the local stage, to line the entire length of the 5+ mile long climb.
potsy
Rambler
- Location
- My Armchair
Yep, 76 feet of climbing today in 11+ miles, bring it onColin just to let you know @potsy is apparently in training for this challenge, just to give you all a heads up and a fighting chance that is.
