After discussing Hanging Grimston and Uncleby Hill, Roger England, in his excellent Hill Climbs on the Yorkshire Wolds, goes on to describe Painsthorpe Lane:

The third climb is the popular Painsthorpe road which ascends from the church and quickly steepens to 17% as it passes the Hall before easing back to 10% approaching the hamlet of Painsthorpe. From here it is an easy 5% to the top of the wold. This route should be familiar to those who have completed the 70-mile version of the George Herbert Stancer standard ride.

I’ve ridden up Painsthorpe Lane – never down – mostly on the GHS rides on the way to a nice pot of tea at Thixendale Village Hall (only open Sundays). For the most recent ride on that memorial event I was piloting the tandem with my stoker merrily chatting away as I tried to avoid both the steep drop offs at the side of the road and excessive oxygen debt. It is well worth the effort, however, and as always the Roman Road at the top of the climb offers numerous options in either direction. This Yorkshire Wolds hill is included in Simon Warren’s essential ‘Cycling Climbs of Yorkshire: A Road Cyclist’s Guide‘, albeit with a relatively tame score of 3/10.

Painsthorpe Lane as a Strava segment

Some route suggestions:

‘Trois Monts‘ (Thrussendale Road (Acklam), Hanging Grimston and Painsthorpe Lane) from near Huggate

A potential Hockney-themed western Wolds route in Garmin Connect from the same start point

The public car park just outside the village of Huggate provides an excellent alternative to the start point of the rides listed above. Refreshments available at the highly recommended Wolds Inn

Approaching the Green Lane climb from Helperthorpe

And so I put together a few routes that first went right at the T junction that is ultimately arrived at on the way to Sherburn via the twisting descent of Sherburn Grits. From Sherburn I invariably head north to Snainton over the Vale of Pickering before returning to the Wolds via Yedingham and West Heslerton. However, I thought I’d try a left turn at that T junction and I wasn’t disappointed. Though it would make the ride much shorter, the descent of Whin Moor (given the name “Watch Out For The Cars?” by some Strava wag) is an absolute joy, with beautiful pastoral scenery that flashes by on the way back to West Lutton. (To be fair, you really should watch out for the cars on this twisting freefall.)

To my surprise I find that, with just three rides in as many months, it seems that I am the (not so) ‘local legend’ for this Strava segment, over in a different county to my own. Where are you all?

Just like Grimston Brow (Luddith Road) this is an unthreatening climb, and perhaps overlooked, but is one that opens up yet further route options for the Yorkshire Wolds cyclist, adding to the almost limitless possibilities offered by the network of quiet lanes in this beautiful area. If you haven’t already made it out that way I thoroughly recommend it.

View Green Ln Climb in Strava

Related routes:

Green Lane climb from Sledmere in Garmin Connect (30 miles)
Green Lane climb from Middleton-on-the-Wolds in Garmin Connect (40 miles)
Green Lane climb and on to Snainton from Hull in Garmin Connect (100 miles)
Sykes Churches Trail from Field House Farm campsite (100 miles)

I also like to climb this hill on longer rides from my home on the flatlands of East Yorkshire. A ride out to the foothills of the North York Moors is a rewarding return for a long day in the saddle, and White Gate is a deserved treat after those flat miles between the Moors and the Wolds. Pedal smartly away from the staggered crossing of the A64 and start to sort out your gears ready for slipping on to a larger rear sprocket. (I should point out that there appears to be a roadside cycle track along the A64 between Sherburn and West Heslerton, but I prefer the loop to Snainton rather than having my nerves shredded by the rumble of (fairly close) passing lorries and countless motorcars.)

The road gently ramps up and before long I am in that bottom gear and trying to maintain some sort of momentum. My Garmin device invariably makes the disapproving beep that signals either exceptionally slow speed, or that I am passing under the cover of overhanging trees and the GPS signal has been temporarily lost. The road then bears to the left and soon after follows a right-hand bend that provides no respite. The top of the climb is hidden from view, so just keep turning those pedals until the two road signs come in to view near the top of the hill. Try to snatch a glimpse over your shoulder to appreciate the view behind and perhaps prepare yourself for the lumpy roads towards Cowlam and Sledmere that follow.

View White Gate (West Heslerton Wold) in Strava

Here’s an extract from Roger England’s excellent Hill Climbs on the Yorkshire Wolds:

… West Heslerton which has been used on the Milk Race, is another tough climb. Don’t be misled by the 16% sign at the bottom – the middle section is consistently steep with gradients between 12% and 17% for 400 metres.

Simon Warren, in his highly recommended Cycling Climbs of Yorkshire: A Road Cyclist’s Guide, gives White Gate a rating of 3/10, in comparison to Nunburnholme Hill at 2/10 and Hanging Grimston at 4/10.

Related routes:

West Heslerton Wold via Snainton from Sledmere in Garmin Connect (30 miles)
West Heslerton Wold via Snainton from Hull in Garmin Connect (100 miles)
Sykes Churches Trail from Field House Farm campsite (100 miles)

Beyond the buildings the road soon opens up a rather lovely view and a very satisfying sense of remoteness. Whenever I write about this hill I am at pains to point out that cows – and, we’re told, a bull – roam the open-gated fields between the cattle grids at the top and bottom of this climb. (The recent judicious use of a partly worn non-scratch scourer on the underside of my brake calipers is a reminder that the road is far from out of bounds for these roaming bovines.)

I’ve actually never turned around having seen loose cattle, but returning to that junction and following the signs to Birdsall – with the prospect of climbing Birdsall Brow – is a pleasant enough alternative, so it’s not the end of the world. One time on a solo descent, having passed the point of no return, I inadvertently triggered something of a stampede reminiscent of a scene from Jurassic Park, and was relieved to reach the sanctuary provided by rolling over the lower cattle grid. But I digress.

On a rainy ride from Sledmere with friends, in the days before the road was resurfaced

Up until quite recently an added challenge on this admittedly shallow climb was the condition of the badly damaged tarmac, but happily this was resurfaced a few years ago and we are freer to admire the view rather than pick our way through rut and pothole. In fact the entire section of road that ultimately leads to the T junction a mile or so further has been repaired and it’s possible to set up a nice tempo – for me invariably leading to the thrilling descent towards Birsdall – after completing this fairly remote climb.

The first time I cycled Luddith Road, as part of the ‘Big Skies Bike Rides: Thixendale from Malton or Norton on Derwent‘

Barely 500 cyclists on Strava have recorded taking on this quietly testing hill set in lovely scenery. If you’re not yet one of them, and you would like a bit of a challenge as part of a longer ride surrounded by wonderful views, I recommend this climb. Just watch out for the you-know-what.

‘Luddith Rd Climb’ ride segment in Strava

Related post: Thixendale and Sledmere from Pocklington

In 2022 a free car park opened just outside the eastern edge of nearby Huggate, that would make an ideal start point. This isn’t a long ride, but you would be forgiven for taking refreshments in the newly refurbished Wolds Inn afterwards. So here is a suggested route. What’s yours…?

If arriving by car I avoid parking in Thixendale itself – there’s not a lot of free space – instead using the public parking available in places such as Goodmanham and Warter, or here on the eastern edge of Huggate, although on this ride I started from slightly further afield

The photograph at the top of this post was taken on the descent of Huggate Road, a hill I would ordinarily prefer to climb. However, a priority here was to avoid going up some of the stiffer, busier roads so I dropped in to Thixendale after crossing the A166 that marks the boundary there between the East Riding of Yorkshire and North Yorkshire. Here’s a quick summary of the day’s route option:

1. Descent of Huggate Road (preferred as an ascent, because it’s too steep and gravelly to best enjoy downhill)
2. Ascent of Water Dale* (preferred as an ascent, but great either way)
3. Descent of the ‘Fuller Gallery’ road* (preferred as an descent as it’s rather tight and twisty)
4. Ascent of Burdale (preferred for the same reasons as Huggate Road)
5. Descent of Fridaythorpe to Thixendale road (preferred for the same reasons as the ‘Fuller Gallery’ road)
6. Ascent of the road next to Thixendale Village hall (no real preference, but usually quiet, although a heavily rutted surface)

*The descent of the ‘Fuller Gallery’ road and the ascent of Water Dale – in that order – are part of the recommended, clockwise version of the Yorkshire Wolds Cycle Route.

Dropping in to Thixendale via the road from Fridaythorpe

So a taster of the roads around Thixendale. I had thought that the name of this village was derived from its position within six dales, but apparently there are sixteeen, which I suppose makes more sense. At any rate, if you would like a hilly, fairly contained route then this is one you might wish to consider.

If the embedded ride doesn’t display you can click here to open in Garmin Connect or view in Strava.

Also of interest, a former ride buddy’s comments on Strava about the ‘Thixendale Spider’:

Spider. Do each climb out of Thix. and straight back down to the village after each one. Make one of them much longer and your map on Strava looks like a Spider on a thread. Do all the possible climbs twice and you have “killed the spider”.

See also Clifton CC’s ‘Thixendale Spirograph‘, which I wouldn’t personally choose to do, but which is certainly thorough.

I’ve ridden two Hull Thursday Road Club sportives and I hope to ride this one next month. So I revisited the now defunct web pages I blogged back in 2013 and 2016 to remind myself of both events. I reproduce them below in case they might be vaguely useful to anyone thinking of entering any of the 2022 distances. I understand that the routes for the Big J will follow those of the Big G, but they don’t appear to be detailed as yet on the events pages. So I’ve included my Garmin Connect and Strava activities should anyone wish to view either the 100km or 150km routes. (Note that my ride from 2013 was from the old event headquarters in Molescroft; subsequent rides set out from Bishop Burton.)

100km Big G Cyclosportive 2013

Yesterday, I finally managed to take part in the Big G Cyclosportive after illness, holidays, a wedding and other distractions prevented me from giving it a go in previous years. This was only my second sportive after completing the Heart of the Wolds back in April. Once again I was unprepared and carrying a bit too much weight, but I enjoyed a dash around the Yorkshire Wolds with some faster, younger cyclists.

I quickly latched on to a group of riders from the Beverley Knights and Hull Thursday clubs. As with my previous sportive, the help of others in sharing the work would prove invaluable; I was rather optimistically hoping for ‘Gold’ in this event. Thankfully, the weather provided a break from the recent heat wave; a few minutes after I had applied sun cream we found ourselves getting rained on as we left Molescroft.

The 100km route avoids the hilliest roads found on the 160km event (Burdale, Birdsall, Hanging Grimston etc), but still throws in some testers. A few riders overtook us, but we pulled back more, particularly on the uphill sections.

I won’t detail the full ride (view the ‘Player‘ link on Garmin Connect). Instead a few highlights for me were just about holding my own on the eight short climbs, being reminded to pedal on the way downhill (old habits die hard for us old cycletourists) and seeing so many riders out on the Wolds.

I was slightly disappointed that, after holding it together on those climbs, I was finally dropped on that little dink out of Etton. But by then I knew that – barring an accident or p***ture – I would get back to Molescroft within the Gold standard time, so it wasn’t a complete collapse. I managed to keep going and got back in under four hours. I was rather chuffed with that.

I really enjoyed this event – and the company along the way. Big thanks to all from Hull Thursday who made the day such a memorable one, especially Dave. That pull through Kiplingcotes in to a head wind had me at my limit. I couldn’t face the post-ride pie and peas (and I think there was a goodie bag I forgot to pick up), but I now have a snazzy maroon Grimpeurs des Wolds polo shirt that matched my complexion nicely. Next year, maybe the 160km ride…?

150km Big G Cyclosportive 2016

I never knew Graeme Forrester – the ‘Big G’. A photograph of him appeared on a poster on the wall at the Bishop Burton College headquarters earlier this month. I’m sure he would have been proud of the efforts made by his club, Hull Thursday, to put on another successful event in his name.

This was my first 150km Big G, and I could have done to have been better prepared for it. Instead, along with a few ride buddies, I used it as preparation for a weekend doing the Way of the Roses coast-to-coast route. I have to confess it was more of a struggle than I had imagined, but there was a real sense of satisfaction in getting round in a half decent time.

I mention the time – yes, I know these sportives are not races – as time had a bearing on how the day went. Four of us – five on the day – had talked about aiming to get round within the seven hour cut-off for the ‘Silver’ standard. Paul and Rob had done the event last year and were disappointed in getting back at around the 7:20 mark. So we would all ride around together. That was the plan…

And so it was that between South Dalton and Holme on the Wolds we were overtaken by a group that contained a bloke with a huge knapsack on his back and another who appeared to have come straight from a game of five-a-side. Despite not being a competitive cyclist it felt wrong not to hitch a ride with this group and gestured to Jason’s mate Martin – the fifth member of our quintet – that we should get on the back for a bit of a tow.

I knew I would struggle on the middle third: Hanging Grimston, Thrussendale Road (Acklam North) and Painsthorpe Lane so, with the wind at our backs, I tagged along. The others I had set off with didn’t seem quite so keen to latch on, but as they are all lighter, younger and fitter I decided it would be prudent to take shelter before I inevitably fell off the pace before being caught.

It didn’t quite work out as planned. The knapsack group stopped at the roadside just before North Dalton and I rode with Peter – who I had mistakenly believed was one of their number – up the steady drag towards Huggate. Like me Peter was rather out of condition and we left each other on Life Hill. On that little dink just before the Sledmere road someone flashed past me. I would later hope it was the chap who got round in just over five hours. Five hours!

I was surprised that I got up Burdale in my quickest time to date. Last time we were chased up by a tractor. I think I may have overdone things as I struggled all the way to the first feed station after this. I couldn’t ignore the rain any longer so on with the ‘race cape’ just past Wharram-le-Street and I stopped again at Birdsall to double check that my rear brake blocks weren’t rubbing against the rims. That’s how much I was slowing down

I also wanted to get in as many miles as possible ahead of the inevitable downpour, but the heavens opened before the Thixendale ‘feed station’ – the village hall – and after a wave of riders overtook me on the ascent of Birdsall Brow. Those cyclists included Martin and Jason. Rob and Paul were not with them.

The grub on the Big G is highly regarded. So much choice – and plenty of it. I needed a longer stop than Jason and Martin, but I was ready to get under way in the rain just as Rob and Paul fetched up. I said I would get off as I needed a head start on them in any case.

I did not enjoy the next bit. More people dragged themselves past me on the steep road out next to the village hall. The only rider I overtook was Peter who I wouldn’t see again until Bishop Burton. The descent of Uncleby hill was just as terrifying as I had expected then the world and his wife – actually, two wives including one on a steel bike with disc brakes – went past me up Hanging Grimston. I did see Jason again. Just before the first (open) gate he was at the roadside replacing a punctured inner tube. Reader, I passed by on the other side. On Thrussendale Road two people ahead of me were pushing their bikes. I know I was really struggling by now, but I swear they were going up faster than me.

The rain and gravelly surface slowed down the usually wonderful descent of Greets Hill and I was grateful of the arrows fastened to wooden stakes pointing the way as I was unfamiliar with this part of the route up to Bugthorpe. On this section – despite an ever present drizzle in the air – I took off my cape just as the grinning duo of Jason and Martin whizzed past. Fair enough. I needed more grub and a bit of a stretch. Painsthorpe lived up to its name and I negotiated the mini waterfalls that formed a margin at each side of that poorly surfaced road.

I have never enjoyed passing through Millington Dale less than on this ride. Fatigue and inclement weather combined to somehow make this spectacular stretch of Yorkshire Wolds cycling a depressingly joyless affair. Fortunately, I perked up after the second, excellent, feed station just south of Huggate. I had only taken one small bottle on this ride and gulped down perhaps a litre of water and took some more goodies before pushing off just as Paul and Rob arrived.

Actually, it wasn’t until getting up Nunburnholme – where a bloke running overtook me – that I felt energised again. For much of the day I had overtaken and been overtaken by various members of Cottingham Road Club. They had either been waiting for those getting up some hill or other or standing around whilst one of a series of punctures was being fixed. (There were an alarming number of punctures that day.) So I latched on to some of them and chatted to Gary as I was dragged along through Kiplingcotes Valley. At the right turn I promptly fell off the back as promised but, idly curious about whether I could still get back under seven hours, I made a bit of a last gasp effort to beat the clock.

My Garmin recorded a moving time of under seven hours, but this particular model does not display overall time elapsed. Back in the Bishop Burton College canteen Jason steered me to the Sports Timing Solutions van and a monitor that shows finishing times. Is it sad that a man of my advanced years can be so chuffed at getting a virtual ‘Silver’ medal? Er, yes, probably. But cycling is a broad church and I reckon there is room for deriving pleasure – now and again – from testing yourself, even if it’s not a race…

I enjoyed all the hospitality of the college, the Hull Thursday members, my Warners massage and a catch up with my four ride buddies. Rob and Paul had shaven ten minutes off their 2015 times. Next year under six hours, anyone?

Visit this link to my Strava activity from 2016 to see the 150km route.

Well, I hope I haven’t put anyone off with these accounts. Best wishes to those who ride the events in aid of Joel.

A pal of mine is helping to organise a local sportive, it’s called the Big J and is in aid of a good cause, so I’m now plugging it for him…https://t.co/QyGMDw83pR#yorkshirewolds #cycling #sportive

— Paul Bentley (@sensisuperstar) July 21, 2022

There are arguably stiffer climbs out of Warter – Cobdale Lane (pictured in the distance in the photgraph above) and Cold Moor may well be more challenging – but they lack the views while Bailey Lane still offers significant resistance. To be clear, this is no killer climb – it doesn’t get a ranking in Roger England’s Hill Climbs of the Yorkshire Wolds – but is sufficiently testing that the folds of Bailey Dale down and to the left perhaps provide a welcome psychological distraction that lessens the impact on the tired rider’s legs. You are also more likely to see Red Kite gliding overhead. Which is nice.

Like the ride south out of Nunburnholme, the road out of Warter reaches the same plateau, albeit at a lower height. At the top of the climb turn left and there is the rewarding, gradual descent to Middleton on the Wolds; turn right and enjoy a shallow climb to the junction over Nunburnholme, with route options to Londesborough and Burnby.

Bailey Lane, Warter segment on Strava

Burdale: a short, sharp climb but is it long enough to be amongst the toughest climbs on the Wolds?

In addition to the various articles there are a number of web sites devoted to cataloguing climbs, and one site, climbbybike.com does list one of our local climbs, Staxton Brow. This site is different in that it gives each climb a ‘Difficulty Score’ in an attempt to provide a comparison between different climbs. Staxton scores 44 compared with Blakey Bank on the Moors at 70, and the Lake District’s Hardknott Pass (West) which tops the English climbs with a score of 106. These scores show why climbs on the Wolds do not figure in national surveys. Nevertheless some of the climbs can offer tough challenges to a tired rider.

The Ordnance Survey map only shows three roads on the Wolds with a double chevron: Flixton, Staxton and Acklam, indicating a gradient of 1 in 5 or steeper. Both Flixton and Acklam have road signs confirming a 20% gradient, but the sign at the top of Staxton only shows 17%. In addition to these climbs there are numerous roads with a single chevron indicating a gradient between 1 in 7 and 1 in 5. Could some of these longer climbs be harder than the short but steep roads up Flixton or Acklam?

With digital Ordnance Survey maps it is now relatively easy to get an accurate profile of a hill to arrive at an average gradient and calculate a Difficulty Score.

However, it is one thing to sit at a computer and decide which is the hardest climb based on data from a map, the real test is to get out there and ride the climb. I also wanted to check the actual gradient since many of the minor roads lack a gradient sign and a single chevron on the map covers a range of 13% to 20%. One way to measure the gradient is to use an inclinometer. Searching the web I found a German model specifically designed for cyclists. This is a simple graduated spirit level that clamps to the handlebars and gives a reasonably accurate measure of the gradient. I tried the inclinometer on different bikes and decided that my Moulton gave the best reading as the suspension cuts out a lot of vibration to the bars. I also experimented with a cycle computer which calculated the slope by measuring the change in altitude, but this turned out to be very inaccurate, as do the GPS units which work on the same principle. So equipped with the inclinometer I have spent the autumn weekends exploring some of those vertical lanes which many of us go out of our way to avoid at all costs. I rode and checked all the climbs listed except the main road climbs of Staxton, North Grimston and Garrowby. On one afternoon I climbed 5 of the big climbs between Leavening and Bishop Wilton. I think my knees were trying to tell me something that evening!

Leavening Bank

The steepest and longest climbs lie on the northern and western escarpments, but away from the escarpment there are many shorter roads climbing out of the dry valleys that proliferate across the Wolds, with many of the best climbs lying in the Thixendale and Burdale area. However further east the isolated hamlet of Fordon nestling deep in a valley is also worth a visit, but here I have concentrated on the northern and western edges of the Wolds. Starting in the north eastern corner of the Wolds the first real climb is Folkton Brow (16%) which I found quite busy and unappealing. Moving west the next climb is Flixton Wold which is a real killer sporting a 300 metre ramp with gradients between 16% and 20%. This road is probably marginally steeper than Acklam but the steep section is not as long. Next come Staxton Brow, Ganton Wold and Sherburn Grits.

These are all 17% climbs in spite of the 16% sign at the top of The Grits. Because of their location adjoining the A64 we tend to avoid these roads which is a pity as The Grits is a super climb up a narrow lane with a leg sapping middle section of between 12% and 17% for nearly 700 metres. I last climbed this hill as a teenager over 50 years ago when it had a fearsome reputation. I then climbed it on a 5 speed Holdsworth with a 49 inch bottom gear, now I need something nearer a 29 inch gear.

Over the next section towards Birdsall the escarpment is more broken with a number of valleys cutting back into the Wolds, and the climbs become easier. However, West Heslerton which has been used on the Milk Race, is another tough climb. Don’t be misled by the 16% sign at the bottom – the middle section is consistently steep with gradients between 12% and 17% for 400 metres.

Birdsall Brow

Despite the 17% sign at the foot of Settrington it is not that hard with a predominant gradient between 10 and 13% and only two short steep ramps of 16% and 17%. Birdsall marks the north western corner of the Wolds as the escarpment heads south to the Humber, and the next section between Leavening and Bishop Wilton offers eight roads climbing up to the highest section of the Wolds. These range from the brutal Acklam Wold which attacks the escarpment head on, to the scenic climb out of Bishop Wilton which winds its way up an attractive wooded valley. Most local cyclists will have climbed Leavening Brow but how many of us are familiar with Uncleby or Worsen Dale?

Although only a short climb, Acklam Wold has a well-deserved reputation for being a killer climb on a par with Flixton. Leaving the village the road rapidly steepens to between 15% and 20% for 500 metres as it climbs straight up the hillside to the communication mast at the top of the wold.

Just south of Acklam village is another road heading up to the communication mast. Starting at the junction near Barthorpe Lodge Farm this road has the longest and highest ascent in the area at 3.5 km with 178 metres of height gain. With only one chevron shown on the map and an average gradient of 5% it looks quite easy. However, there are some steep sections of up to 15% on the lower road and a short but steep section of 20% near the top, but there are some level sections where the rider can recover. In spite of its low score this is a great climb. Heading south again the next village is Kirby Underdale. Nestling in the huge amphitheatre of Open Dale there are three roads climbing up the bank through woods and pastures. The first, Hanging Grimston, is not only my own personal favourite but is one of the best climbs on the Wolds. The two single chevrons on the map hide the true statistics of this 1.5 km 153 metre climb with an average gradient of 10% and a maximum of 20%.

Turning off the Kirby Underdale road the narrow lane to Hanging Grimston descends steeply to Salamanca Beck where the climb starts. Immediately the road kicks up at 15% to 20% for 100 metres. Fortunately the momentum gained on the downhill should get the rider up this stretch and onto an easier section where the gradient varies between 5% and 10% as the lane climbs gently though unfenced open pastures. Approaching the farm set back on the right, the climb steepens to 14% before rounding a left hand bend and a gate which may be closed. The rider then approaches the final section of road lined with beech trees, passing the old 1-in-6 road sign for the final 500 metres of 16% before the gradient finally eases. The road surface is quite rough and broken, but not potholed, and by using both sides of the road it is possible to pick a reasonable line. This is a super climb in lovely surroundings.

The next road is another lane through the little hamlet of Uncleby. This is a straight forward and unusual in so much that the gradient is pretty uniform throughout varying between 10% and 15% for a kilometre before easing back approaching the junction at the top. Although the narrow road climbs straight up the escarpment it is an attractive route bordered by mature trees and woodland. When riding this hill I felt it was the easier of the three Kirby Underdale climbs in spite of its high score.

The third climb is the popular Painsthorpe road which ascends from the church and quickly steepens to 17% as it passes the Hall before easing back to 10% approaching the hamlet of Painsthorpe. From here it is an easy 5% to the top of the wold. This route should be familiar to those who have completed the 70-mile version of the George Herbert Stancer standard ride.

Bypassing the main road up Garrowby Hill, which has become a weekend race track for bikers, the next climb of interest to the cyclist is from Bishop Wilton village to Garrowby top. This is a lovely climb up through the mature beech woods of Worsen Dale. Starting in the village, climb gently along the stream past the village church, turn left at the head of the village past the primary school then right onto Worsendale Road and continue climbing, first at 5% gradually steepening to 10%. The road then continues with gradients up to 15% before easing and emerging from the woods at the junction with the main road close to the highest point on the Wolds.

Beyond Bishop Wilton the climbs become easier as more dales cut into the hills. The next climb of any distinction is Nunburnholme which we often climb on our Sunday runs. Fortunately, the steepest section of 14% is at the bottom of the climb, which is then followed by 800 metres of 5% to 10% steady climbing.

Trundlegate

South of Market Weighton we are on home territory as the Wolds become lower. Nestling along the southern edge of the Wolds is one of my favourite climbs, Brantingham Dale. The pretty approach up the dale starts easily enough but the gradient steadily steepens to 10% for the final 300 metres, which includes two steeper ramps of 13% and 14%. The council have recently erected a sign at the top showing a gradient of 11% which is very misleading.

Fortunately I managed to complete all but one of the climbs before the bad weather arrived at the end of November. Since then I have been able to review all the data gathered on the climbs to produce the table below. The list includes a Difficulty Score based on the climbbybike.com formula. This was originally developed for ranking long alpine climbs and can produce anomalies with short climbs, particularly on the Wolds where it can be difficult on some climbs to decide where to set the start and finish lines. It is based largely on the length of the climb and average gradient, not the maximum gradient. Also I have only included climbs of 800 metres or more. However, the results do make interesting reading to compare routes.

Notes
* indicate my own maximum gradient readings
** indicate hills where my own reading was higher than the road sign
? Garrowby is the only hill I did not visit

The maximum gradient shown in the table is based on the higher of either my own reading or the road sign. As the signs are based on the old convention of 1 in 6 (17%) and 1 in 5 (20%) we do not see any signs for climbs of 18% or 19%. My inclinometer only had a maximum reading of 20% and it was difficult to get an accurate reading once over 17%, but I am sure that some of the signed 20% hills were less, and in due course I will be back to check out those hills. A nice ride for next spring.

A version of this post originally featured in the Winter 2010/2011 edition of the Woldsman and appears here by kind permission of Roger England.

Simon Warren since wrote a follow-up book, Another 100 Greatest Climbs, which included Hanging Grimston. Seven hill climbs of the Yorkshire Wolds subsequently featured in Warren’s later ‘Cycling Climbs of Yorkshire: A Road Cyclist’s Guide’

It's back! An oldie but a goodie, and from the days when @100climbs was the new kid on the block, Roger England's excellent 'Hill Climbs on the Yorkshire Wolds', used by kind permission. Huge motivation for @sensisuperstar, @CharlieRispin, me & many more:https://t.co/f0adH4pmcU pic.twitter.com/HCVrarewyh

— Cycling the Yorkshire Wolds (@CycleTheWolds) April 2, 2021

At this point I divert my attention from the effort by seeking out the scenery over to the left towards Swinham Wood to pass the ever lengthening time as I make my way towards the tree line that promises – but doesn’t quite deliver – an end to the climb. Cycling event organisers that take the rider up this brow sometimes place encouraging signs – or should that be gently mocking ones? – to let you know that you’re not quite there yet. Satisfying views over to the right now beyond Mount Ferrant Farm towards Leavening provide a very welcome distraction.

At the crossroads that mark the end of the climb you may carry on towards Garrowby Hill or turn right to drop in to Leavening. My preference – in part because when it’s open on a Sunday there is the excellent Village Hall cafe – is to turn left for a well-deserved reward that offers plenty of time to forget about the pain of climbing Birdsall Brow as I coast along the sublime Water Dale road in to Thixendale.

View Birdsall Brow segment in Strava

A route from Hull taking in a number of Yorkshire Wolds hill climbs including Birdsall Brow (based on the Big G Cyclosportive). View the route in Garmin Connect or Strava

Fantastic area for cycling! That climb out of Birdsall never gets any easier.

— Paul Cromack (@CromackPaul) June 15, 2020

Related post: Shorter Loops | Sledmere and Thixendale from Pocklington

For me a significant attraction of this climb – apart from the pleasantly distracting views over to the left – is the superb descent in to Thixendale that usually follows. Maybe that’s what keeps me motivated as I pedal ‘in squares’ towards that slice of lemon drizzle cake at the village hall.

All smiles as one of the lads makes it to the top of Leavening Bank on our way home from Osmotherley. The Yorkshire Moors are in the background; a cuppa and cake at Rachel’s Walnut Cottage Tea Room in front.

Part way up Leavening Bank you can take a right turn towards Garrowby Hill; by then the hardest effort is behind you. But you will have missed out on the view back over your shoulder that you would have enjoyed had you continued to the junction above Thixendale and the peerless descent of Water Dale.

Leavening Bank as a Strava segment

A ride out to the Howardian Hills and Castle Howard from Hull – home via Leavening Bank. View the ride in Garmin Connect or Strava, but note that on this day I turned right before Thixendale and went over Garrowby Hill