Start: Elborough Village GR 361592 Finish: Bleadon Hill lookout GR 359579
Distance: 2.2km Height Gain: 123m
With a strongish west wind blowing, it seemed a good idea to head for something to the west so the wind could blow me home again - hence the choice of route. Out through Banwell, straight into the wind, it didn't seem such a great idea - but then, it would be ok once I was in the shelter of the hill itself... Stopping in Elborough to check the map, I realised I'd brought the wrong one - better do it from memory then.
The climb starts out of Elborough up past Hutton Garden Centre but gives you a rest for 200m or so before the left turn onto a very narrow lane and the start of the hill proper. This starts easily enough but a sharp right turn threatens an increase in gradient, which it delivers. There follows a 250m 1 in 6 section through overhanging woodland which had be breathing loudly through tight teeth and very glad to pull over it onto the more modest ascent above. Another 300m or so, still in a low gear as the legs definitely needed to recover from that very steep bit, and its up onto the top ridge - straight into that wind! Still - the local lads pushing their bikes up the hill to the lookout were impressed.
Rating: Good climb which appears to stick out of surrounding flat stuff, but pleasant linked in with other steep stuff around Loxton and Banwell.
DP
Distance: 2.2km Height Gain: 123m
With a strongish west wind blowing, it seemed a good idea to head for something to the west so the wind could blow me home again - hence the choice of route. Out through Banwell, straight into the wind, it didn't seem such a great idea - but then, it would be ok once I was in the shelter of the hill itself... Stopping in Elborough to check the map, I realised I'd brought the wrong one - better do it from memory then.
The climb starts out of Elborough up past Hutton Garden Centre but gives you a rest for 200m or so before the left turn onto a very narrow lane and the start of the hill proper. This starts easily enough but a sharp right turn threatens an increase in gradient, which it delivers. There follows a 250m 1 in 6 section through overhanging woodland which had be breathing loudly through tight teeth and very glad to pull over it onto the more modest ascent above. Another 300m or so, still in a low gear as the legs definitely needed to recover from that very steep bit, and its up onto the top ridge - straight into that wind! Still - the local lads pushing their bikes up the hill to the lookout were impressed.
Rating: Good climb which appears to stick out of surrounding flat stuff, but pleasant linked in with other steep stuff around Loxton and Banwell.
DP
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