HANBURY HILL

HANBURY, STAFFORDSHIRE

I chose two climbs from the collection of hills that make their way up this ridge: Marchington Cliff (see here) and Hanbury Hill. Out of these two, I reckon Hanbury is the toughest. You may not think so at first, but believe me – this climb bites towards the top. Leaving Coton Lane, you set off between high hedgerows with your task laid bare in front of you. As the hedgerows recede, the road begins to squirm right then left and the gradient steps up. It’s still not tough, not by any stretch of the imagination, but it soon will be. As the bends end, the road ramps up and narrows – now it’s hard, now it will hurt. The high hedgerows return; this time they tower above you on the right with woodland on your left, creating a canyon of green. Push the gear over, heave yourself up, and keep fighting. It may be steep but it’s soon over, and before long you’ll be bending left to roll into Hanbury village.