Dunkery Beacon is a first for me. It is a genuine 10/10 ride in the book - so technically, if I can get up this, I should be able to get up anything. Well, apart from the 11/10 hill, but I'll come to that when I have to!
So before I started, Hobbs gave me a few tips on climbing technique:
Apparently, it would be much easier if I had 4 legs, rather than just 2. I should point out that it was another scorching day - so not much change from Wales although I had headed back into England.
Dunkery Beacon ramps up straight away - it starts at the signpost and you kind of ride through a forest a bit which is lovely. And hurrah - a cattle grid. Phew. These signs were on the way down, but imagine them the other way round:
You then come out of the trees and it is lovely gorse type moorland and hot hot sun and even in my suffering I could appreciate the beauty.
So, in conclusion, Dunkery Beacon is tough. It is beautiful and it is well worth a place in a list of 100 greatest cycling climbs. Well done you.
Garmin data here:
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/82266953 Simon says 20 minutes, I did 18 odd minutes (hurrah!)
youtube footage here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gEkU5TGzdwM
Flickr here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/100hillsforgeorge/sets/72157626828830747/
Hi Mark,
ReplyDeleteGreat job on the blog 100 hills for job. I too have an interest in the 100 hills and often make pages about the hills.
I wondered if I could re-use some of your flickr photos, such as
www.flickr.com/photos/100hillsforgeorge/sets/72157626828830747/
I'd be happy to give credit, and I've added your blog to main page at
cyclinguphill.com/100-climbs/
Kind Regards,
Tejvan Pettinger