Hill Climbs

Congrats @dbr! Looked pretty soggy conditions - how did that affect your climb tactics?

I was off early and dodged any rain, which was very nice. Got back to the car just as it started chucking it down. They gave us space blankets at the top that I fashioned into a hyper-burner for the decent down the Horseshoe Pass.

Ground was wet and the first 500m were under trees, but pacing wise you want to be seated there anyway. 60psi in 21mm tubs was fine for me, no wheel slip, but I think my style works well for traction. 80rpm average, very glad I put a 34t ring on the front.

364w @ 58kg
7:13

Nice work. 60 psi with 21s! I was running 80 psi with 25s at Catford in the dry...must give skinny tubs a try.
...and that blanket descent must have been visible from space :)

Well done @dbr

Some photos here:
https://www.cyclist.co.uk/in-depth/11026/2022-national-hill-climb-championships

And more importantly, the weird and wonderful bike tech in use
https://www.cyclist.co.uk/in-depth/11027/2022-national-hill-climb-championships-tech

weird and wonderful bike tech

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58kg

LOL

What does your other leg weigh?

Not exacyl purely on topic. Looking at trying to tick a few more of the 100 greatest climbs off this year. Currently only at 13. So some way to go!
Might try some long routes see how many in can do in one go etc.
What are others currently at?

Edit: Also currently 83.5kgs so will try work on that a bit.

Currently on 36 I think. Come visit and you could pick off quite a few very quickly in the Peak District ;)

You could also pick up 100 climbs of SE England and try and pick some of them up. Lots in Kent you'll have already done, and plenty more you could do in a l ride from London or with a quick train journey out.

That an offer of accommodation;-)

There's a guest bedroom always set up...

(you'd just have to put up with a baby waking several times a night at the minute, but hopefully that might improve soon)

Lightbicycle are bringing out a 180g rim specific for hill climbing. They claim it can be built into a 700g wheelset.

Apparently they are going to launch it via crowdfunder in the next 2 weeks. I was sent a form to give my thoughts but seeing as I'm not in the market for crazy light wheels I thought I'd share the link here: https://form.jotform.com/230431300640437. I think they want input from hill climbers to shape the ideal rim profile (25mm wide and 25mm deep is the current spec).

So finally…off to Malmesbury for a friends birthday and planning a little detour to do Weston Hill before.
Luckily I’ve put on 2kgs since the last post, no idea how as I feel in reasonable shape on the bike, I do have a slight sniffle so probably won’t go full out.

Weston Hill was slightly anti climatic, not sure what makes it a top 100 climb...?
Rode an ok time up there without really pushing it, 7:50, at an average 370 w.

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This week I added Whiteleaf, a climb I really liked. 392w average for a 5:50.

Also improved my time up White down yesterday 351w ave for 6:52.

For our summer holiday we are travelling around the UK and have the green light to try any we go close to. I want to get some training/ practice for the really steep climbs. I’ve found a steep short service road off Knatts Valley does anyone else have any suggestions for very steep hills, local to London?
Also gearing, I currently run 50/34- 11-32. Often climbing in the easiest gear. Would people who have experience of Hardknott etc suggest lowering your gearing from what you usually ride??

does anyone else have any suggestions for very steep hills, local to London?

How steep? Chalkpit Lane remains, I think, the hardest climb local to south east London, if you know it?

Chalkpit Lane

Shudders

I did think some Chalkpit to failure might be in my future 🤮
Are the steep sections comparable?
The one off Knatts was so steep you have to concentrate on balance which as I understand is part of the Hardknott challenge?

Said segment; https://strava.app.link/YnVp3KD4szb
Not sure the profile is correct for it, my average was 650w for a minute of sheer terror lol

Defo gear down if you want to enjoy Hardknott. As you know I like hills, and I thought it was rubbish. Just a war of attrition against a 20% terrible surface.

As a one time holder of the chalkpit KOM, it’s not that hard.
If you do it in a ford focus on the way back from a cross race and tell the driver to “floor it”.

There’s always the super six Strava segment to go for as well.
https://www.strava.com/segments/4136609

I assume the one off Knatts you reference is "Killer Hill"? https://www.strava.com/segments/5190593

Knatts is quite a good location for some decent climbing, particularly if you have a gravel bike. Nothing of the length you get in the Lakes, but I'd say Killer Hill is comparable to the steepest bits of Hardknott.

Other Knatts/steep off road segments:
https://www.strava.com/segments/32879270
https://www.strava.com/segments/823486
https://www.strava.com/segments/2813737
https://www.strava.com/segments/1579014
https://www.strava.com/segments/3281466
https://www.strava.com/segments/7334911

There's also one up onto the abandoned golf course at the top of Knatts, which I can't see a segment for but is here:

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suggestions for very steep hills, local to London?

White Lane, Hogtrough, Brasted and Sundridge are all brutes within a tiny area from Pilgrim's Way. Yorks Hill is grim too, and makes Toys Hill beforehand feel easy.

Excellent I’ll check those out. Any other recommendations for bits like Killer Hill elsewhere?

@dbr yeah saw your time was pretty decent. I mainly want to just make it up without putting a foot down.

Anyone got a power profile for Hardknott, I could try replicate a file for the turbo…

replicate a file for the turbo…

That’s a whole other circle of hell. What do you actually like about cycling up hills!?

Erm the challenge and probably an element of the pain… you?