• Cobnar Road
• Length: 0.31 miles
• Avg gradient: 13.5%   Peak gradient: 30ish%(!)*
• Difficulty: 4/5
• Likelihood of encountering unpleasant motor-vehicles: 1/5
• Elevation gain: 226ft
• Strava

An utterly deceptive beast.

Cobnar Road is a residential street that begins innocently enough but it is truly lulling you into a false sense of security.

‘What’s going on here? This doesn’t seem too challenging and the gradient is only in single figures,’ you’ll think as you start the climb. Fair enough, Cobnar Road does begin unremarkably enough but what you might not notice straight away is how it gets progressively steeper, the further you progress.

When you pass Bingham Road, you might sense that the hill has sneaked into low double figures but nothing noteworthy. However, another 50 metres or so, at the junction with Wellcar Road and the ‘dead end’ road sign, the gradient suddenly spikes into the teens. It’s at this point that you realise how the start of the climb tricked you.

Looking up, all you can see the rising tarmac and what looks like an impenetrable wall of trees. Dig in here as the worst is yet to come. Luckily the road is fairly wide and quiet, so you’ve got wiggle room and few hazards as you wind your way up the hill. This is where the fun starts.

Keep your momentum and switch on to what looks like a footpath (it’s not labelled as such, so you’re not breaking any rules by cycling up it). The narrow path (featuring a handy handrail) disappears around a blind corner – so you’ll have to hope that you’re not going to meet anyone walking down the opposite direction – and ramps up to a gradient of 17 – 18%. It’s only for 100m or so but, because of the path’s width and probably being slippery with leaves, there’s no room for mistakes. The last time I did it, I very nearly came off the tarmac and into the little ditch next to the path.

I seriously put Cobnar Road on a par with Hagg Hill, which is the bar against which I judge all other hills. So, if you get to the top without stopping, take a moment to get your breath back and congratulate yourself on, not only defeating such a cheeky beast of a climb but probably one of the most challenging hills in Sheffield.

*GPS coverage is a bit wonky under the trees at the top, with both Strava and Veloviewer saying an incline of almost 40%. That seems excessive but I wouldn’t be surprised if it does briefly break 30% at the end.

• Highcliffe Road
• Length: 0.39 miles
• Avg gradient: 13%   Peak gradient: 20.6%
• Difficulty: 4/5
• Likelihood of encountering unpleasant motor-vehicles: 5/5
• Elevation gain: 274 ft
• Strava

To cut to the chase, this is not a pleasant climb. There’s always parked cars reducing the carriageway width, it’s not picturesque and you’re going to encounter at least one obnoxious motorist on your way up. However, getting to the top is a great achievement.

I’ll be honest , I’ve only ridden up this hill twice: once at 9.30am on New Years Day, the other during the coronavirus lockdown. Both of those times I knew that it would be quiet enough to do without too much trouble. At any normal time however, you are going to get an impatient driver up your backside or attempt an uphill close pass. Be warned.

The climb begins as the road crosses the Porter Brook (much the same as Woodcliffe) and begins a steep S-bend. If you’re not on a road bike, you could avoid the carriageway and instead ride alongside the steps in the park. Be aware however, that’s actually steeper than the road itself. The Strava segment’s recording is a bit skew-whiff here but it probably averages about 10-12% on this bit, up to the junction with Greystones Road.

After that, the road can get clogged with parked cars, so there is nowhere for vehicles behind you to pass safely before the blind bend ahead. Be prepared to annoy some people as you slowly grind up this tree-lined section, which briefly pops above 20%.

On the approach to the Highcliffe Drive junction the gradient does begin to reduce slightly but still remains in double figures. You can, at last, see the end of the climb though. You’ll find that all the vehicles are now parked on the opposite side of the road, creating a bit of a slalom for the line of traffic coming downhill. This is the one time it might be acceptable to ride on the pavement, if only to avoid the dirty stares from people waiting in their cars. Shortly after this you’ll be at the top of the hill, so well done for that but there are so many nicer hills to climb in the city. Go and find one of them instead.

• Myrtle Road
• Length: 0.38 miles 
• Avg gradient: 10%   Peak gradient: 16.5%
• Difficulty: 2/5
• Likelihood of encountering unpleasant motor-vehicles: 2/5
• Strava

This hill climb starts just next to Heeley City Farm, a nice little slice of the countryside a couple of miles from the city centre. It’s worth popping into the Heely City Farm Café after tackling this hill for some tasty food or a hot chocolate.

Looking at the topography of Myrtle Road, it’s one of those weird streets that has a bizarre, almost unwaveringly consistent gradient. Hunter House Road and Blake Street being other examples. Strava says Myrtle Road peaks at 16.5% but while there is a little spike as you pass the Nursery at Heeley Bank Road, you are looking at a fairly solid 10% all the way up.

Begin the hill climb at the junction of Midhill Road, just after the railway bridge. There’s a row of houses on your left and what looks like a park on your right, actually contains a goat enclosure. Pick the right gear and pedal on.  Once you’re past Anns Road the hill seems to get steeper but I think that’s just because you’ve got houses and cars parked on both sides of the road, making it feel a bit more closed in and leaving you hoping that you’re not going to encounter a grumpy driver coming up or down the hill.

You’ll soon reach Heeley Bank Road and the aforementioned gradient spike. It’s not long to go now, so just dig in for that last blast before reaching the top at the site of the derelict pub and some nice views across the city. Now roll back down and pop to the farm café.