MIDHOPESTONES BANK

MIDHOPESTONES, SHEFFIELD

Re-branded the Côte de Midhopestones for the 2014 Tour de France, this tough climb forms the northern entry to the infamous Strines. Turning south off the A616, there are 100 metres of descent before the road begins to rear up. It’s not too tough to start with but as it kinks slightly right it starts to get nasty. Ahead of you the road snakes between the sloping grassy banks, up and away into the distance, getting steeper and steeper before reaching a very welcome brow where you can reacquaint yourself with your saddle. You’re allowed to spin your legs for a few moments as the road levels, dips, then begins a different type of climbing; from here the gradient is steadier, but with all the climbing already in your legs it’s still hard. Bending gradually left, the road drags and drags up to the final peak, before plummeting down the 25% twisting descent to the foot of the next tooth in the shark’s mouth.