I had a debate as to whether to include this one. With an average gradient of only 3.6%, it only just gets into the category of 'hill' at all but, with a length of over 5.5km it certainly goes uphill for a decent distance. So - included it is. And having included it we have to acknowledge that it would then be a category 3 climb on the numbers alone - but given the low gradient and the breaks in the middle, I can't find it within myself to give it, more than 4.
Start: GR 528583 on Shipham Lane, Winscombe Finish: GR 463564 between Shipham and Charterhouse.
Height Gain: 200m Horizontal Distance: 5.6km Average gradient: 3.6% Cat: 4
Starting eastward along the leafy lowland that is Shipham Lane, one quickly leaves the small estate and outlying cottages behind as you meet the base of the hill. The road isn't great quality; it's only single lane and quite narrow even by that standard. The surface is OK though - though a couple of winters will rapidly see to that. This narrow lane doesn't persist though as it meets the A38 - cross carefully.
Once over the A38 onto Broadway, the road is wider with a good surface. It continues its gentle climb past a selection of 'can I live here please' houses up to the village of Shipham where, again, the route is broken by a junction. This second cross roads has a tempting looking hill going straight over - but that's not our route. Turn right along a flattish section past Shipham school before hitting the first of the steep pulls as you reach Cuck Hill (the excellent road surface of which makes for a fun, fast descent if you're going the other way). Once up Cuck Hill you have to lose some height, about 10m, but don't go too fast down here as you need to turn left onto Longbottom at the base of the drop.
So that was the first half. Now you have a wide lane with a decent surface forging its way along the rising valley floor. Fields slope down to you from either side - just neatly channeling the wind if it happens to be from the east (which it was when I did it!). And then you realise that you're running out of valley. The road takes a sharp right turn to escape up the side. The road sign at the top of this coming the other way says 16% - which seems about right. It's about 250m up this steep section before you arrive on the easier section at the top, out onto typical high Mendip terrain of wild looking fields, sheep and wind-blown trees. All that remains is half a kilometre of easy climbing. By the time you get to the actual top your legs will be rested for a quick sprint..!
Rating: Worth deliberately including in a ride going west-east into the Mendips. Easier than Burrington Combe or Cheddar Gorge - puts you on top of the Mendips in the area that those climbs emerge.
DP
Start: GR 528583 on Shipham Lane, Winscombe Finish: GR 463564 between Shipham and Charterhouse.
Height Gain: 200m Horizontal Distance: 5.6km Average gradient: 3.6% Cat: 4
Starting eastward along the leafy lowland that is Shipham Lane, one quickly leaves the small estate and outlying cottages behind as you meet the base of the hill. The road isn't great quality; it's only single lane and quite narrow even by that standard. The surface is OK though - though a couple of winters will rapidly see to that. This narrow lane doesn't persist though as it meets the A38 - cross carefully.
Once over the A38 onto Broadway, the road is wider with a good surface. It continues its gentle climb past a selection of 'can I live here please' houses up to the village of Shipham where, again, the route is broken by a junction. This second cross roads has a tempting looking hill going straight over - but that's not our route. Turn right along a flattish section past Shipham school before hitting the first of the steep pulls as you reach Cuck Hill (the excellent road surface of which makes for a fun, fast descent if you're going the other way). Once up Cuck Hill you have to lose some height, about 10m, but don't go too fast down here as you need to turn left onto Longbottom at the base of the drop.
So that was the first half. Now you have a wide lane with a decent surface forging its way along the rising valley floor. Fields slope down to you from either side - just neatly channeling the wind if it happens to be from the east (which it was when I did it!). And then you realise that you're running out of valley. The road takes a sharp right turn to escape up the side. The road sign at the top of this coming the other way says 16% - which seems about right. It's about 250m up this steep section before you arrive on the easier section at the top, out onto typical high Mendip terrain of wild looking fields, sheep and wind-blown trees. All that remains is half a kilometre of easy climbing. By the time you get to the actual top your legs will be rested for a quick sprint..!
Rating: Worth deliberately including in a ride going west-east into the Mendips. Easier than Burrington Combe or Cheddar Gorge - puts you on top of the Mendips in the area that those climbs emerge.
DP
