18 What goes up Challenging ascents are followed by thrilling descents

ice work by pupils

winner Pupil with charity medal Ten young Arctic explorers from Edinburgh have been awarded a prestigious Polar Academy Medal. Climb every mountain The pupils, aged 14 to 17, from Broughton High School and Fettes College completed the 10-day, Few cyclists like riding 100km expedition in Eastern uphill – but many enjoy Greenland, in temperatures as ticking off a list of low as -25C. It was a life-changing challenges, as well as experience for the teens, who the thrilling descent previously suffered a lack of afterwards. self-confidence and esteem. Craig Mathieson, founder of This is how various climbs in charity The Polar Academy, said: the UK have become must-dos “These ordinary pupils have FIONA for riders. But where are the best achieved the extraordinary by cycling hills in and pushing themselves to the limit.” RUSSELL how many have you done? n www.thepolaracademy.org Keen cyclist and author Simon Warren has compiled a list of top Saddle up and hills in the new book, Cycling Climbs of Scotland. summit special Bealach na Ba in Applecross features in Simon’s book path to set off on a Warren is also the name behind thrilling uphill the best-selling 100 Greatest rockets skyward, hitting 4. The Lecht success Cycling Climbs and Another 20 per cent almost right away. Where: Cock Bridge, 100 Greatest Cycling Climbs. Ramblers Scotland are adventure to It continues in this vein up to Of Cycling Climbs of Scotland, the small bridge crossing the Length: 3010m celebrating the reopening of he writes: “Wild, remote, an important Fife path. tackle some of reservoir then thankfully Height gain: 245m The off-road route, linking the best bike windswept and downright epic, eases to the eventual summit. A true monster of a climb Lochgelly and Cowdenbeath, was the climbs of Scotland are not 2. Lowther Hill through the heart of the blocked for almost a year using routes in new for the faint of heart. Where: Wanlockhead, National Park, the locks, fences, anti-theft paint and “Crossing weather-beaten Dumfries & Galloway road up to the Lecht Ski Centre nails. This contravened Scottish book Cycling islands and often snow-covered Length: 3850m is also a stunning ride. access rights and a campaign Climbs of mountains, the great roads Height gain: 273m The ascent starts from the was launched to re-open the Fife demand respect and are often set When ridden following the beautiful Castle and Council designated “core path”. Scotland. Here, in scenes of indescribable beauty. ascent of the Mennock Pass from straight away you hit 20 per cent Brendan Paddy, director of “The famous glens and lochs base to summit, you get close slopes. It is rough, relentlessly Ramblers Scotland, said: “The author Simon that draw visitors from around to 14 kilometres of constant steep and a little twisting. public response has once again Warren lists his the globe are the backdrop to climbing before you reach the top. After a short breather during a emphasised how much people legends such as The Lecht, The The higher reaches that are slight downhill midway, there, value access rights in Scotland. top five. Talla Wall and the one and only the best, after leaving the B797 in front of you, painted on to We’re really pleased the problem Bealach nà Ba. appears to be resolved.” just outside Wanlockhead. the side of the mountain and “So if you like your cycling Winding through the hillside resembling a giant flight of rough and rugged and if you crave in search of the giant radar at stairs, lies the rest of the climb. fresh air and pristine wilderness, the top, the closer you get, the It’s an awesome sight. gear of then head north to tackle the tougher the climb becomes. 5. Bealach nà Ba Cycling Climbs of Scotland.” It has countless bends and Where: Applecross, Ross & Simon lists five of his favourite stunning views in all directions. Cromarty the week bike climbs, of the 60 listed in 3. The Serpentine Length: 8980m the book published by Frances Where: Rothesay, Isle of Bute Height gain: 623m Dynafit Elevation Lincoln this month priced £8.99. Length: 775m This is it: the Holy Grail. The Polartec Alpha 1. The Wall of Talla Height gain: Running Jacket 74m toughest and wildest climb in Where: Tweedsmuir, Borders When I first saw this climb with Britain. Believe the hype. This highly breathable Length: jacket is for runners who 1725m its amazing bends, I was Anything you have heard about prefer higher altitudes. Height gain: 149m stunned. On the approach up this amazing road is true. The A thin layer of Following the edge of the Talla Castle Road in Rothesay, you nine kilometres of rough road warming Polartec Reservoir, I spied what looked see the spectacular concertina clings precariously to the Alpha insulation like a road cutting up the of hairpins above and feel a mountainside as it delivers you claims to stops hillside ahead. surge of adrenaline. into true wilderness. As the final over-heating I thought, ‘No, it can’t be, it’s First you twist left, then right, bends come into view, you must and excessive way too steep’. before you negotiate Mount first tackle an endless, soul sweating. The But then as I drew closer, it Pleasant Road to tackle The destroying 20 per cent slope outershell is dawned on me – this was indeed Serpentine itself. And with before you reach the four majestic water resistant. the road – and what a climb. 14 tight corners from base to hairpins that deliver you to the The jacket Right from its bottom corner, summit, it’s enough to send summit of this infamous tangle of comes in a male the narrow sliver of tarmac you dizzy. tarmac. and female design, priced around £170. Join me on my adventures in Scotland’s great outdoors by checking out my award- winning n www.dynafit.com website at www.fionaoutdoors.co.uk. 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