Tag: cycling

Rutland and Cooks Wood Roads

  • Rutland and Cooks Wood Roads
  • Length: 0.84 miles
  • Avg gradient: 7.7%   Peak gradient: 12.1%
  • Difficulty: 3/5
  • Likelihood of encountering unpleasant motor-vehicles: 5/5
  • Elevation gain: 340ft
  • Strava 

Pre-bike, I often used to commute this way, so Rutland Road was one of my earliest introductions to what Sheffield hills are like – even though I was in the car. As a consequence, this hill had a slightly foreboding reputation (in my head at least) and it was a while before I tackled it. When I finally did, and managed to beat it, it felt like a real achievement. However, it was a long time until I added Cooks Wood Road on the end.

Starting under the railway bridge, the road stretches far up ahead of you, although you’ll probably not be able to see it for all the cars. This is not a quiet climb and you will get some form of aggressive motor vehicle pass you. The photos here were all taken at the start of the COVID-19 lockdown and I still got close-passed. You won’t ever see the road it as quiet at this otherwise.

For the first third, it’s a fairly steady 9-10%, with not much to look at except a large variety of industrial units, so just head down and try not to get hit by a grumpy motorist. As you reach Parkwood Springs and the Sea Cadet Corps, on your right, the road flattens for a short run to the traffic lights.

If you’re lucky, you’ll get a red and can have a legitimate breather before taking the left turn onto Cooks Wood Road. You’re straight into the climb again and although it never gets more than 2% steeper than Rutland, Cooks Wood Road feels a lot more challenging. There’s no obvious landmarks but near the bus stop, the road ramps up and you’ll need to drop into that lower gear for another 0.1 mile, until you pass the entrance for Parkwood Springs on your left (an old style 1:9 gradient sign still remains on the other side of the road). The Strava segment continues for another 350 yards or so but once you’re here, you’ve done the heavy lifting.

Hopefully you made it up in one piece and, if you fancy a change of tempo, you could always ride the Parkwood Springs MTB track back downhill.

Paradise Street

  • Paradise Street
  • Length: 0.04 miles
  • Avg gradient: 9%   Peak gradient: 9.2%
  • Difficulty: 1/5
  • Likelihood of encountering unpleasant motor-vehicles: 1/5
  • Elevation gain: 19 ft
  • Strava

A silly little climb in the city and a taste of the cobbled Paris Roubaix.

Recommended to me by a member of the CycleSheffield Chat forum, Paradise Street is a slightly ridiculous little cobbled hill just north of the cathedral.  Clocking in at a grand total of 0.04 miles, it’s not a foreboding challenge but don’t underestimate the impact of that cobbled surface and don’t get cocky like I did, try to sprint it, and end up more exhausted than climbing The Dale.

Starting at the junction of Queen Street, you can see the full extent of the consistent 9% hill in front of you. It’s not far. Normally, on short sharp hills you can blast it but the surface here really plays havoc with those plans. I’m glad that I’ve got suspension on mine, I can’t imagine what it’d be like on a fancy road bike. The only thing to be wary of is that, despite its single car width, Paradise Street is a two way road, so if you encounter a car coming the other direction, you’ll probably need to move out of the way. Still, it’s not far to return to the start and try again.

All you can really say for this road is head down, pedal away, see how quickly you can get up.

Whiteley Wood Road and Common Lane

  • Whiteley Woods Road and Common Lane
  • Length: 0.88 miles
  • Avg gradient: 6.6%   Peak gradient: 12%
  • Difficulty: 3/5
  • Likelihood of encountering unpleasant motor-vehicles: 3/5
  • Elevation gain: 308 ft
  • Strava

This is a utilitarian climb, in that it sole function is pretty much to get you out of suburbia, towards the Peak District. At the top, you’re on the edge of the countryside, ready to discover some absolutely lovely views.

The climb begins after a quick descent on Whitely Woods Road as it cuts through the woods themselves. The climb begins as you cross over the Porter Brook but it’s nothing serious here, as the gradient remains in the low single figures until you reach Wire Mill Dam. As the road curves left, the gradient creeps up but it still remains in single figures, where it stays for the short, straight section to the next bend.

The battle begins after you follow the road round the bend. It’s only 0.2 miles but it’s a slog. It gets slowly steeper as you grind up, hitting a peak of a 10.5% just before the cattery. However, the challenge here is more psychological than physical because the hill is so straight and with slightly boring fields either side there’s not much to look at on your way.

When you’re past the cattery, the road bends left once more and you’re well on your way to the apex as, shortly after, you turn onto Common Lane. From here, with every pedal, the gradient drops away and you find yourself at the start of Ringinglow Road, ready to get out to the Peaks.

Gladstone Grind / Snaithing Lane

  • Gladstone Grind and Snaithing Lane
  • Length: 0.52 miles
  • Avg gradient: 8.7%   Peak gradient: 13.5%
  • Difficulty: 3/5
  • Likelihood of encountering unpleasant motor-vehicles: 2/5
  • Elevation gain: 241 ft
  • Strava

Starting and finishing in similar locations and running fairly parallel to each other, the Gladstone Grind / Snaithing Lane climb is similar to – but easier than – Tom Lane. They’re both suitable tasters for some of the hills in the Peak District that these roads lead you towards.

Begin at the crossroads with Fulwood Road (the segment could begin at the bottom of Hangingwater Road but I’ve never managed to reach this crossroads without the lights turning red) and the hill is straight into double figures, hovering around the 11% mark. It’s a tree-lined road with a broad right hand curve that seems to stretch on and on. If you’re lucky, the yappy dog at number seven will come charging down the driveway at you but he’s stuck behind a gate, so you can pedal on safely.

Shortly after the road straightens out, Graham Road joins from the left. It’s heads down here and grind on as I find that there is something about this section that feels a real slog. It’s probably as it’s just a straight 10% line, with just a postbox near the crest to aim for.

A short distance past the postbox, you’re gifted a very brief downhill as you swing left off Gladstone Road, onto Snaithing Lane. The 2020 Magnificent 7 race continued up Ivy Park Road at this point but I think Snaithing Lane is a more interesting challenge, so stick with that. The downhill respite is short lived however, as the road spikes up and bends to the right. As you pass the Kings Foundation, you’re on the steepest section of the hill at around 13.5%, but it does feel steeper.

You’ll soon pass a large white house with a fancy balcony, on your right. That’s the sign that you’re over the worst, and the road drops to a more manageable 7% for the final 0.1 mile. Once you’ve reached the top, if you fancy an additional silly little challenge, turn left, then take the first right up Carsick View Road. A cheeky little spike that was not quite close enough to include as part of this entry.

Highcliffe Road

  • 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.

Curbar Edge

  • Length: 1.1 miles
  • Avg gradient: 10%   Peak gradient: 15.2%
  • Difficulty: 4/5
  • Likelihood of encountering unpleasant motor-vehicles: 1/5
  • Elevation gain: 598 ft
  • Strava

There is pretty much nothing that I can say about Curbar Edge that hasn’t already been said in greater detail and with more authority elsewhere, not least Simon Warren’s 100 Greatest Cycling Climbs and James Allen’s 50 Classic Cycle Climbs but as it is what I’d consider a headline hill, it would be remiss of me to not include it here.

I’d driven up to Curbar Gap many times before, heading for family walks along the edge, so I was familiar with the hill, its two sweeping bends and the towering gritstone rocks that give the hill its character. It’s an even more impressive climb when you’re on a bike.

You start in the village of Curbar itself, next to All Saint’s Church, and it’s from here that you head up the innocuous looking Curbar Lane. As you pass The Old Vicarage on your right, the gradient is immediately into double figures, reaching 14.5% as the road bends to the right. This is the steepest section of the whole climb, which is a good thought to keep in mind as you progress up the hill, eventually passing a red telephone box at a crossroads.

The climb now drops to a more pleasant 6-7% for a straight section, lined with rather nice looking houses with big gardens. You’ve pretty much reached the halfway mark when you pass the national speed limit sign, which sees the gradient return to around 10-11% and, more impressively, the countryside open up and the appearance of Curbar Edge, loom ominously above you.

The steepness remains fairly consistent around the first sweeping bend and then reaches 11.5% as you head towards the second, sharper corner. The views from here more than make up for the additional challenge though. Just try not to focus on the ridge of Curbar Gap which, at this point, still seems very high up and very far away.

Grind on around the next bend and, once you’ve passed a gate into a field on your right, I always feel like you’re pretty much there. You still have to cycle 0.3 miles and climb 130 ft but it’s broadly straight with a gradient of less than 10% and the views alone will keep your legs powered until you reach the car park at the peak.

Curbar Edge is a beautiful climb worth travelling for.

Earldom Road

  • Earldom Road
  • Length: 0.14 miles
  • Avg gradient: 13.6%   Peak gradient: 17.5%
  • Difficulty: 2/5 (only because it’s so short).
  • Likelihood of encountering unpleasant motor-vehicles: 1/5
  • Elevation gain: 101 ft 
  • Strava

This is a very short blast up a very steep hill. Hidden in the suburbs of Burngreave lies this surprising little spike that will give your legs a bit of a testing.

Earldom Road is only 0.14 miles long and you can see the apex from the outset so there’s no surprises in store. Just remember to get into the correct gear from the off, not like me on my last attempt where I thought I’d show off and blitz it up on a middle gear before I quickly ground to a halt, unable to pedal. Shamefaced, I dropped down to a low gear an made it to the top.

Earldom Road begins at about 6% as you join from Ellesmere Road. However, between the pub and Earldom Drive it ramps up to around 13%. Once you’re past that junction, the gradient steadily increases to 17.5% at the peak.

This hill is definitely a sprint, not a marathon, so just put your all into it and see how quickly you can get up it.

Roper Hill

  • Roper Hill
  • Length: 0.23 miles 
  • Avg gradient: 10.4%   Peak gradient: 15.2%
  • Difficulty: 3/5
  • Likelihood of encountering unpleasant motor-vehicles: 1/5
  • Strava

I came across this climb when I was route planning and wanted the most direct way from Redmires Reservoir to Ringinglow Road. I didn’t realise until riding that near the beginning of that direct route lay Roper Hill.

It’s less than a quarter of a mile long but, for the unsuspecting rider, its a kick in the teeth. However, I’m sure it’s a joy for hill climbers and perfect for your hill reps. Indeed, last time I rode here there was a club doing reps, with one of their number playing Andy Williams’ It’s The Most Wonderful Time of the Year to motivate them uphill.

For the rest of us mortals though, prepare to dig in for a short, sharp blast. Roper Hill starts innocently enough as you turn in from Brown Hills Lane but very quickly ramps to about 8% up as you approach the first bend. The gradient only increases as you climb up the brief, straight section to the switchback. Luckily, you’re on the left, so the turn is not as punishing as it could be.

As you climb the next chunk, Roper Hill is holding a steady 11% but take a moment to glance to your right and appreciate the beautiful landscape beneath you. Let that, and the sight of the next bend at the hill’s apex (unfortunately also the steepest section at 15.2%), spur your legs on and you’ll soon be at the top.

From here, you’ve got a pleasant mile and a half ride, past the alpaca farm, to join Ringinglow Road and the options that presents.

Tom Lane

  • Tom Lane
  • Length: 0.76 miles 
  • Avg gradient: 8%   Peak gradient: 12.9%
  • Difficulty: 3/5
  • Likelihood of encountering unpleasant motor-vehicles: 1/5
  • Strava 

A nondescript, residential road in the leafier end of Sheffield, I was surprised to see that, statistically this hill is actually not that different from the far more imposing Lodge Lane.  Tom Lane is not as hard as that but it does have a couple of spikes along the way and, for the sake of this segment, a surprising little twist in its tail.  I’ve worked around here quite a bit and would regularly see a mum cycling up here with a child on the back of her bike.  Strava kudos to her for that.

Tom Lane starts innocently enough, opposite the junior school, with a gradient fluctuating around the 4-5% mark, as you climb the first couple of bends.  As you pass house number 74, however, the road straightens up, gets steeper and the hill’s first challenge is laid in front of you.  The hill is now around 12% and you feel each percentage as you pedal up to a large stone cottage at the junction of Belgrave Drive.  It is slightly less steep now but you’re still plodding upwards.

Follow the road, ignoring any junctions and continue round, first a left bend and then a right.  This little section here, for me, feels the hardest part of the road section.  There isn’t a significant increase in gradient but the approach to the right-hand bend – and the bend itself – really makes you feel like you’re dragging your bike.

You’ll soon reach a T-junction, turn right and continue upwards on what, once again, feels steeper than it is.  Take the next left (the road you turn onto remains Tom Lane) and head up this narrower section of road, often with numerous parked cars on either side.  You’ll shortly come to a brief section of 5% as you round a few more bends and pass Hillcote Close on your left. It’s here that you’re going to find that surprising twist in Tom Lane’s tail.

As you pass the steps with a handrail, on the left, instead of sticking to the road, wiggle round onto what looks like a footpath (there are no signs saying cycling in prohibited and it even has a Tom Lane road sign at the bottom so I’m sure it’s legal).  It’s this brief bumpy section that pulls the average up and my recording of this part puts the gradient between 17-22%. However, your fancy road bike might not like the surface.  It’s only short, though, and you’ll soon reach Redmires Road and the golf club.

Well done, you’ve just made it up a modest yet surprisingly challenging hill. Which is exactly what a Sheffield cycling climb should be.

Lodge Lane

  • Lodge Lane
  • Length: 0.7 miles 
  • Avg gradient: 9.3%   Peak gradient: 15%
  • Difficulty: 4/5
  • Likelihood of encountering unpleasant motor-vehicles: 2/5
  • Strava

A few miles westward, out of the city, along the fairy nasty A57 Manchester Road you’ll find a couple of cheeky challenging climbs, escalating either side of the Rivelin Valley: Rails Road and Lodge Lane.  Rails Road will take you north up to Stannington, and Lodge Lane, south, to the green and pleasant lands of Lodge Moor.

Like many of the roads that climb the Rivelin valley wall (see also: Hagg Hill), unless you’re lucky with oncoming traffic, you’re pretty much going to lose all of your momentum turning 90 degrees onto the hill.  Lodge Lane isn’t quite as a brutal start as Hagg Hill but you are straight into a 10% incline and a sharp left corner to begin.  The steepness gradually increases as you follow the road round a right-hand bend and are presented with a straight stretch open in front of you.

As you pass the campsite, the incline drops to around 7%, which feels comparatively flat, so use this section to ease off a bit before you prepare to dig in again. As the road heads to the next bend the gradient is back in double figures and although it’s only 0.1 mile I find this part tough because I know what’s around the next corner.  Since you’re now well above the valley with some lovely views towards the Peaks, it’s tempting to think you’re almost at the top.  You are not.

As the tree line returns and you round the next bend, I always expect to see the top of the hill, when all Lodge Lane offers you is more of the same.  In the distance, it’s not the end of the hill you can see but, at 15%, the hardest of the climb’s numerous bends. If you get round that, once you reach the roadside bollards you’ve made it and just need to pant on a few more feet to the end.

Now turn around, drop down at speed, and tackle Rails Road on the other side of the valley.