LAUNDE ABBEY

LAUNDE PARK, LEICESTERSHIRE

Without doubt, this is one of the shortest climbs I’ve ever included in a book – it’s a little gem though, and well worth its place in the sun. Passing through Launde Park, an oasis of sheep-manicured, rolling grassland, you turn right in front of the Abbey and face your fate. Free from hedgerows and just wide enough for a single car, the path ahead rises dead straight – a single, neat line of grey bisecting the luscious green hillside. Lined by giant trees either side, try to take some speed on to the slope and get out of the saddle to sprint. The tough gradient kicks in as you pass a road joining from the left and from here on it requires one single, eyeballs-out effort. Hit the remaining 250 metres of 11% gradient, grip your bars tight, and focus on the brow ahead. By the time you hit it and rumble over the cattle grid to leave the park behind, you should be empty – if not, you need to go back and try harder!