Just in: 100 Greatest Cycling Climbs

Having purchased this book from Blackwells in Edinburgh I found it to be rather disapointing from a Scottish perspective. Fourteen climbs in the south east of england, but only seven for the most mountainous region of the UK? Scotland is almost dismissed with the statement that 'the majority of Scotland's roads stick to the valleys as there's no need to cross the mountains'. In reality Scotland does have its share of mountain roads. Those of particular note are the Bealach Ratagain (335m in 3.4km), Bealach Maim (287m in 2.8km) and my own favorite, the Bealach Feith Nan Laogh aka Polloch Hill. Never heard of it? This monster climb lies on an unclassified road between the village of Strontian and the Hamlet of Polloch circa 30 miles from Fort-William. 313m in 2.6km put it up there with the two big ones in the Lakes. It would appear that many of the climbs were chosen for their proximity to large centres of population rather than being hills of any particular note.

Great stuff, I just love climbing down.

My copy landed yesterday...already well thumbed....can tick off some already but did these over a decade ago so will just have to do them again....quite a few within riding distance of my base in the midlands...my riding buddies will love the challenges....

I bought this last week in Waterstones (Deansgate, Manchester) in an attempt to motivate myself into becoming a climber. A work colleague thinks my copy should be called 100 Greatest Cycling Walks.

So far, I can claim only the Cat & Fiddle, although both Winnats Pass and Mow Cop have claimed me.

I was all set to tick off Holmes Moss until I realised the book features the N to S ascent, whereas I've only done the S - N grind.

A good little book. Small enough to fit in a pocket. Great motivation comes in small packages.

Pre-order placed on the strength of this review, and its relatively low price (less than 10p per climb.) Thanks for the tip-off.

Is the Devils Staircase on the mountain road to Tregaron in there? This is about the only climb I have a problem with. It's too steep!

Bwlch y Groes from the Lake Vyrnwy direction up a little lane was also quite taxing.

I live on the Blackdown Hills, some excellent short climbs (200 meter-ish). Riding in Wales is more fun though. The climbs are less generally steep and longer.

Did the A40 out of Llandovery in the direction of Brecon a few weeks ago. It's only a few percent but goes on and on for quite a distance...had a bit of a race up it with another rider

Oh, I thought the prize was a my choice of the Cube Litening or the Felt AR3! I do love stickers though.

Bealach na Ba?

I imagine burrington combe, cheddar and virtually anything around here misses out. How about the pass over the hills in Wales, I forget the name but it is on the Welshpool-Barmouth road.

Been looking at OS map for new rides ahead of house move on Thursday - I imagine something that goes by the name of Steepness Hill pretty much does what it says on the tin.

Certainly from the map it looks like a short but very sharp kick - at a rough guess from the contours, one section has a 40m gain in something under 200m.

Might not have made the book, but it could become my personal challenge. Once I'm a bit fitter

I could cheat as I have the book in front of me, but it kinda spoils it

Ben Nevis? :p

Porlock Hill?

11/10 has gotta be Great Dun Fell.
If you endup at Centreparcs with the family then Great Dun Fell is only about 10 miles away....you know it'd be rude not too.

Unfortunatly I ran outta time and only made it 1/2 way up but christ what a climb. cant wait to hit it again with a little more time.

I might have to get that book, and loads of diesel for the car before leaving the fens to find them all...

11/10 - Great Dun Fell?

This has just been delivered to my house from Amazon.. Itching to find out the killer hills round my end.