VOWCHURCH COMMON

VOWCHURCH, HEREFORDSHIRE

I’m comfortably rolling along the B4348 heading back to the car after a long ride, the wind on my back and a few climbs in my legs, when out of the corner of my eye I spot a red triangle. I slam the anchors on, and turn round to have a closer look: wow – 25% – time to leave this dull, flat road and head upwards. And what a find this road was. The legs that had previously been turning that big gear on the flat are soon screaming as they ride away from the crossroads, up to the right-hand kink where the slope hits 25%. This short yet vicious ramp between houses and past driveways leads you left. Steep round the corner, it thankfully eases through the village, allowing you to sit down and take stock before you hit the next 25% slopes. Ouch again – twisting a little left and right, pull yourself to the brow, force the bike over, and then power on across the plateau to the summit, just shy of the right-hand junction.