MURTON BANK

HAWNBY, YORK

It was hard to decide where to call an end to this climb. It rises all the way to the top of Boltby Bank (see page 32), but that means riding a stretch of 2% gradient twice the length of the steep stuff, so I’ve called the finish the turn to Old Byland. The start, however, is not up for debate – that’s the bridge on the southern edge of Hawnby. Roll over this and the bank rears up; sandwiched between high hedgerows, it’s 18% from the very start up to a widening where there’s a turn to the left. Head straight on and you pass the eye-watering 25% sign – now you’re really in for some trouble. Up into the woods, on and on. Between pedal revs you may catch a glimpse of the view through the trees, but mostly you’ll be fixated on the few inches of tarmac before your front wheel. Ahead appears a visible brow that offers a patch of relief, but it’s not the end – that’s 200 metres further on. Thankfully, the worst is behind you.