HEPTONSTALL ROAD

HEPTONSTALL, HEBDEN BRIDGE

This climb has an awkward start, rising from the permanent congestion of Hebden Bridge. Only accessible if you come from the west, it takes you through the traffic lights then rises sharply from the main road before bending round to the left. As the road straightens, you approach a junction. Lee Wood Road drops down to the right, but you want to stay left. Pass the sign warning of restricted access for vehicles and head up into Heptonstall. After 500 metres of climbing, you pass a left-hand turn to a car park and it’s here you hit the glorious cobbles. Smooth and well set, they are pretty steep the whole way, twisting left then right through the heart of the picturesque village. Get out of the saddle to tackle a brace of bends and then sit back down to power on as the road heads away from the village. Sticking almost 10%, the cobbles last for close to half a kilometre before the tarmac returns for the push to the brow.