LASK EDGE

BIDDULPH MOOR, STAFFORDSHIRE

I couldn’t leave Biddulph Moor without bagging a second climb, and with quite a few to choose from it was hard to come to a decision. But thanks to its twists and turns on the savage lower slopes, this climb took the honours, even though its neighbour, Park House Lane, is possibly a touch steeper in places. Begin the climb from the ford; I’d never advise riding through one, though, so use the footbridge. From here it kicks up right away and before long will have you breathing out of your ears. Bending through a collection of farm buildings, a very steep right-hand bend then kinks left and snakes upwards on a slope that must be close to 20%. After this demanding stretch, the gradient thankfully relaxes for a couple of hundred metres as you approach the junction with Park House Lane. After the two roads meet, it’s time to toil some more for the finish at the T-junction on top of the moor.