Start: GR498594 Finish: GR503573
Distance: 2.7km Height Gain: 195m
It seems to me that when the average gradient climb exceeds 1 in 15 then there is a substantially greater feel of hard work about it. This route definitely falls into that category. Starting on the A368 at the drive entrance of Combe Lodge, an arbitrary point as you've already climbed up to this from Rickford, one enters Blagdon village and completes the first 20m or so of the ascent by the point of taking the right turn onto the minor road by the pub. In truth, for safety on the bend, it is better to go round the bend on the A368, make a U turn using the pub car park, and then turn left. You'll probably already be in a low gear by the point you make this turn and the road rising in front offers no respite. 300m of 1 in 10 away from the junction are followed by news on a road sign that it's about to get steeper - I think it said 1 in 7 - but I found this section tough going. Up round a left bend, still no real respite, the road swings left again and now their is a brief lull as the gradient drops back. Then it starts again! The respite was no more than 150m; the right bend at its end brings the next haul.
Take the leftward option at the Y-junction (the Ellick Road route takes the one on the right) and continue the steady haul up the bank, steep at first, then dropping back to about 1 in 15. This section is comfortable, but you can see the break of slope ahead on the straight and from Blagdon farm there's a hard pull onto the top at a slight right bend with a big tree to use as an aim point - except it didn't seem to want to come any nearer. This top section only measures at 1 in 9 on the map, but the exertions involved in getting to it made it seem a lot steeper than that to me.
And then you're up. The sweeping roads on the top of the Mendips are there to welcome you, allow you to increase speed and give your legs and lungs a rest. For me a 'relax' down to Paywell Farm and then home over Charterhouse.
Rating: A stiff climb that never really lets go from the point you start in Blagdon Combe. Well worth doing, with a great feeling of success when you (I) got to the top - most of the lower angle road is at the bottom.
Footnote (19/9/12): First time I did this I was on the Barracuda. I had to stop for a rest! Given that, I didn't really feel I'd done the hill properly. Last weekend I went back. Ah, the difference that 8 months makes. Firstly, I now have the Scott which is just better. Second - I've done a few more miles since then; about 1200 as an estimate. Combine these two differences and the effect is enormous. From needing a rest first time up, on Sunday I managed it in reasonable comfort. The bend near the conference centre is still tough - I surprised a driver by cycling up the edge of the wrong side of the road round that, but the top is perfectly OK and I always knew I would get up - so much so that I completed the afternoon with an ascent of Shipham Road and then the A38 from Churchill and off up the B road to Shipham. There's no way I could have done that back in January. If it wasn't Tejvan Pottinger who came past me at the top of the A38 bank then, who ever you are, go compete with him in the Burrington hill climb!
Distance: 2.7km Height Gain: 195m
It seems to me that when the average gradient climb exceeds 1 in 15 then there is a substantially greater feel of hard work about it. This route definitely falls into that category. Starting on the A368 at the drive entrance of Combe Lodge, an arbitrary point as you've already climbed up to this from Rickford, one enters Blagdon village and completes the first 20m or so of the ascent by the point of taking the right turn onto the minor road by the pub. In truth, for safety on the bend, it is better to go round the bend on the A368, make a U turn using the pub car park, and then turn left. You'll probably already be in a low gear by the point you make this turn and the road rising in front offers no respite. 300m of 1 in 10 away from the junction are followed by news on a road sign that it's about to get steeper - I think it said 1 in 7 - but I found this section tough going. Up round a left bend, still no real respite, the road swings left again and now their is a brief lull as the gradient drops back. Then it starts again! The respite was no more than 150m; the right bend at its end brings the next haul.
Take the leftward option at the Y-junction (the Ellick Road route takes the one on the right) and continue the steady haul up the bank, steep at first, then dropping back to about 1 in 15. This section is comfortable, but you can see the break of slope ahead on the straight and from Blagdon farm there's a hard pull onto the top at a slight right bend with a big tree to use as an aim point - except it didn't seem to want to come any nearer. This top section only measures at 1 in 9 on the map, but the exertions involved in getting to it made it seem a lot steeper than that to me.
And then you're up. The sweeping roads on the top of the Mendips are there to welcome you, allow you to increase speed and give your legs and lungs a rest. For me a 'relax' down to Paywell Farm and then home over Charterhouse.
Rating: A stiff climb that never really lets go from the point you start in Blagdon Combe. Well worth doing, with a great feeling of success when you (I) got to the top - most of the lower angle road is at the bottom.
Footnote (19/9/12): First time I did this I was on the Barracuda. I had to stop for a rest! Given that, I didn't really feel I'd done the hill properly. Last weekend I went back. Ah, the difference that 8 months makes. Firstly, I now have the Scott which is just better. Second - I've done a few more miles since then; about 1200 as an estimate. Combine these two differences and the effect is enormous. From needing a rest first time up, on Sunday I managed it in reasonable comfort. The bend near the conference centre is still tough - I surprised a driver by cycling up the edge of the wrong side of the road round that, but the top is perfectly OK and I always knew I would get up - so much so that I completed the afternoon with an ascent of Shipham Road and then the A38 from Churchill and off up the B road to Shipham. There's no way I could have done that back in January. If it wasn't Tejvan Pottinger who came past me at the top of the A38 bank then, who ever you are, go compete with him in the Burrington hill climb!
draycott steep aka new road is open now
ReplyDeletedid it on friday along with a few other of assorted mendip gems!
gliders were preparing for take off!