Stupidly Steep Climbs On The North York Moors!

[@bobsta]

I was staying over at Keldy with some relatives just over a week ago. Coming out of Keldy cabins you're greeted by a 15% uphill struggle (road surface is atrocious). A couple of days later, I cycled to Rosedale Abbey. The 10% gradient after the entrance for Cropton cabins was bad enough until I saw Rosedale Chimney Bank. I checked my OS maps app and Komoot - a 33% gradient. I muttered words that rhymed with 'clucking bell' and decided to turn back. I'll probably return to it when I've got an e-bike.

[@howardkitchen2302]

As a Yorkshireman and cyclist, heres a tip. Dont head east out of Whitby, even on a dry day youll get wet through.

[@zodgzod]

Rosedale Chimney! I rode around Paxos, up to the top and down. The steepest gradient was over 25%, but it was only a few 100m. I’m not ready for Rosedale Chimney or Sutton Bank!

[@SimonBrown]

I love the opening cinematography 👍

[@jollygoodvelo]

+Simon Brown Thanks Simon.

[@irondonkey65]

I grew up in this area so know all these climbs well. My advice if you are over a certain age...maybe 40+ would be to ensure you have nice easy modern gearing before attempting them and approach them in a calm and relaxed manner...dont try to attack the climbs unless you are young and very fit, they will simply claim you as another victim. Start in a low gear and ride into the climb gently using no more energy than is absolutely necessary. When I was younger we used to ride up all of these using 42x21 gearing...it would kill me now ! I would suggest a more modern 34x28 unless you are fit and riding daily. I always found it helpful to try enjoying the views rather than concentrating soley on your efforts and the road. Best of luck to all who have not tried these climbs.....a favourite of mine is the climb out of Runswick Bay....short, but murderous !

[@jollygoodvelo]

Wise words.

[@davehollingworth5537]

Ah, quite by chance I know Whitby having walked the C2C finishing in RHB and since that I’ve revisited a couple of times. Always manage to find excellent fish and chips there! Cycling in that area would be tough..... but the ride you outlined would be excellent! Thanks Leonardo!

[@alexcarrick6540]

Really like the variation from the now somewhat normal vlog style videos from other cycling channels. Amazing drone footage at the start too!

[@jollygoodvelo]

Hi there Alex, glad you are enjoying the channel. I'm kinda of trying out this slightly more vloggy style to see how it goes. My aim is to help people enjoy their own cycling by explaining what I am doing. A lot of my other films are more or less 'how to's' and I will be doing some more of those too as and when I do something myself. I'll also be using the drone whenever I can too!

[@oscarsowden18]

I tackled chimney bank earlier this year and smashed out a good time. Egton high moor is very much worth a go too, 33% on the corners but a civilised 6% afterwards.

[@jollygoodvelo]

Well done!

[@madeinuk68]

I live in South Yorkshire,and I regularly cycle from here to North Yorkshire. It is my favourite part of the world. I usually go straight to Robin hoods bay,and pitch a tent there on one of the campsites. The views are stunning. And yes the roads are tough,but I have never yet had to get off and push,even though I usually carry 20 pounds or more. This year was the first year for a long time that I haven't been there,as I have been plagued with illness,nothing too serious,but enough to keep me from riding my bike. I have cycled all over the Uk,but North Yorkshire is very special.

[@jollygoodvelo]

+Stayshtum68 Hello there, as I say in the film, Whitby is my most favourite place in the world. Robin Hoods Bay is lovely too. It’s quite an achievement to be able to manage those climbs, especially carrying all your camping gear. Hope you are feeling better soon and back in the bike, heading towards Robin Hoods Bay.

[@dobrussell]

You could use the old Whitby-Scarborough railway trail. It's flat, there's no traffic and there are great sea views. You'd need a hybrid, gravel or mountain bike, though. The surface would wreck a roadie's tyres. There are good pubs (Hayburn Wyke Hotel) the old Cloughton station is a great café and there are the fantastic views from the Raven Hall Hotel. Much better than roads!

[@jollygoodvelo]

I believe it’s called The Cinder Track. I’ve thought about it but I don’t have a suitable bike.

[@dobrussell]

Yes it is. I forgot the name earlier. There is bike hire at (the preserved) Hawsker station, next to the A171, just south of Whitby. There is a café there, too.

[@dobrussell]

Here are some flat routes on The Cinder Track and some on the Moors. I haven't cycled all of The Cinder Tack but have done two segments. www.komoot.com/tour/280556515 www.komoot.com/tour/280565139 www.komoot.com/tour/280568136 www.komoot.com/tour/280570148 www.komoot.com/tour/224144772

[@jollygoodvelo]

@@dobrussell Thank you. I really will have to check it out the next time I’m in Whitby.

[@samuelpole4256]

Leonard, your drone shots are fabulous, keep that up!

[@jollygoodvelo]

Thanks Samuel. I’m a qualified Drone pilot.

[@luannedimaggio2802]

I love the way you film the intros

[@Analyse_US]

Nice work, well put together

[@samuelpole4256]

Look at you climbing up that sheer wall, you have strong legs! I want to see you overcome your biggest challenge yet, with a kind friend to push you on... It's more effective with a friend.

[@luketoms6110]

Thought I recognise some of your old videos I live in the National Park Hutton Le Hole so it's my stomping ground live it so much the reason we relocated here. keep up the good work. 😆👍

[@jollygoodvelo]

+Luke Toms Thanks Luke, The North York Moors is an amazing place. I would love to pack up and move to Whitby but, for one reason or another, it's not possible at the moment. You are very lucky!

[@luketoms6110]

leonardmlee I know, but life is too short.

[@jollygoodvelo]

Happy Cycling up there!

[@sw9506]

fantastic . I want to go visit

[@jollygoodvelo]

+S W You should, Its an amazing place. Is it far from where you live?

[@LeoUfimtsev]

You talk about the hills, but there is very little actual footage covering or showing the hills, or illustrations of how steep they are....

[@jollygoodvelo]

+Leo Ufimtsev Hi Leo, that is indeed true but I do say that if you look at the climbs on Strava they don't look all that impressive and trying to show how steep they are on camera is never very representative. I have included the gradient signs by way of illustrations but, I suppose, the only real way to appreciate how steep these climbs are is to either ride one or at least see it in real life. However, I accept that very few people watching the film will be in a position to be able to do that.

[@paul_laws]

There's a few hill climbs from around Whitby on my little hobby channel. I only post them for other's reference if they are coming to the area :) Nice job with your videos, +leonardmlee

[@jollygoodvelo]

Reluctant Mamil Hello there, Thanks for the comment. I've just subscribed to your channel; you've got some epic local climbs on there. I saw your film of your ascent up Lythe Bank a couple of weeks ago and have to say that you did a great job getting up it. It's a toughie!

[@paul_laws]

It's a marvellous part of the World. I too have a week in Whitby once a year (normally end May/beginning of June). Keep safe out there. The roads are becoming a war zone :(

[@jollygoodvelo]

Reluctant Mamil It certainly is. I love Whitby and the surrounding area. Sounds like we are there roughly the same time. I've just watched your Blue Bank climb and it looks like you filmed it only two days before we arrived there ourselves.

[@3dr1ch]

Little church on the hill?? That'll Whitby Abbey then...

[@jollygoodvelo]

There is a smaller one as well: St Mary’s.

[@vickyvonstein2331]

How do you get your eyes so white? Do you use drops?

[@vickyvonstein2331]

what size is your biggest rear cog? 28/32?

[@jollygoodvelo]

+Rob Banks Hi Rob, Its all down to a good clean, healthy lifestyle! ;-) (Actually, it might be because I have caught the sun and have a bit of a tan. Not easy to do up in North Yorkshire!)

[@jollygoodvelo]

+Rob Banks it's a 32. It's also a compact chain set: being a heavy rider it makes climbing slightly easier.

[@garygray7945]

The H's of cycling- hills, headwinds, heat, humidity, heathens, hubris , and hedonism ......

[@retroonhisbikes]

Robin hoods bay, I can hardly walk up it.

[@jollygoodvelo]

That’s a toughie. I’ve walked up it myself. There is a pretty steep climb on the road from RHB to Whitby as well. I know I would never manage that in a bike.

[@samuelpole4256]

Give Leonard low enough gears, let him weave and I'd cheer him on anyday. I think you could get up the 33%. Weeks of targeted training and total belief *c a n* overcome good old gravity! :D

[@jollygoodvelo]

Perhaps not on a 33 percent no matter how many gears. I need to reply to your email!

[@samuelpole4256]

@@jollygoodvelo No worries, you're busy man! Then I guess its down to that obstinate opponent - weight, we know all too well... When I lost a few kilos it became almost effortless.

[@samuelpole4256]

@@jollygoodvelo Yeah... 33%... Actually that's insane... hahaha!

[@samuelpole4256]

@@jollygoodvelo I'm guessing you've seen this nutty video? kzbin.info/www/bejne/iZvJpKKIlNpohtk

[@samuelpole4256]

@@jollygoodvelo Part 2 kzbin.info/www/bejne/d5CYlaaha9SVm6s

[@markspaul9426]

Do some fasting and you’ll drop the weight and keep and eye on the diet. From there fast every week but the first one for 48 hours. 24 hours every week after that and you’ll be flying up the hills

[@jollygoodvelo]

I know you are right but I just don't have the will power for fasting.

[@peterbuckley265]

REGULAR VIDEOS, HOW CAN THRY BE AS THIS VIDEO IS THE FIRST EVER THAT HAS APPEARED TODAY SUN 23 AUG 2020, NON APPEARED BEORE, SO THIS MUST BE THE FIRST ANDVONLY VIDEO OF LEONARDMLEE !!!!.

[@jollygoodvelo]

So just because you have never seen any of my films before that must mean that I haven’t been posting them for years? Are you really that stupid?

[@ThorDyrden]

@@jollygoodvelo would explain, why he has this challenge to turn caps-lock off again (hint: press it again, so the indication-light turns off) 😉

[@andyhilton8653]

peter buckley you appear to be confusing 2017 with 2020. However the next video “How to time travel on a road bike” should be right up your street. You weapon.

[@Kingcarparpeggio]

You are a knobhead.....stop making stupid comments.

[@peterbuckley265]

WHY CAN NOT THIDS GUY USE NORMAL ENGLISH GRADIENT DETAILS, IE 1 IN 30, I INCH IN EVER INCHES ECT ECT, 33 % ECT MEANS NOWT !!!!.

[@jollygoodvelo]

Well, it appears that you are. Why can’t you write normally like normal people?

[@mw0jze]

Peter, do you live in the 1970s? We have been using % for gradient for many years. I suggest you buy yourself a protractor to have a visual idea of how steep 33% is and a new keyboard while your at it as yours seems to be stuck on CAPS lock.

[@darrenelbrow5144]

Are you really as stupid as you appear from your comments on a 3 year old video @peter buckley. % signs for gradients have been in use in the UK for quite some time. Do you hold a UK driving license? If you do, then I suggest you re visit the Highway Code and it will explain the gradient system in simple terms for you

[@andyhilton8653]

peter buckley what system do they use on your planet? Sorry WHAT SYSTEM DO YOU USE ON YOUR PLANET?

[@Kingcarparpeggio]

Learn to write and spell properly.....then people might understand you.