BIDDULPH MOOR

BIDDULPH MOOR, STAFFORDSHIRE

It’s a long old slog from the sheltered base in the valley to the windy top of Biddulph Moor and it’s a climb of two distinct halves. The slope rises gently at first and on my own ascent I was confident I’d be able to complete it in the saddle – no such luck. Spinning comfortably, and with plenty of sprockets to spare, half of me was content with the effort required, but the other half of me craved a stiffer test. A stiffer test is what I got. The road is much wider than any of the other climbs up this ridge, and as it begins to twist and turn the gradient begins to bite. Snaking upwards from now on, this climb is a struggle. Lying in the shadow of the tall, grassy bank on your left, the higher you rise, the grander the views over your shoulder; in fact I would go as far as to encourage you to stop so that you can soak it all in before you reach the very top past the final couple of bends.