Length (m) |
Average Gradient |
Men's CR |
Woman's CR |
Strava Segment |
710 |
8.3% |
1:33.6 Adam Kenway (20/09/20) |
1:58.4 Mary Wilkinson (20/09/20) |
IBlackstone Edge Old Road is a minor climb on the outskirts of Littleborough. It starts by The Rake Tapas restaurant and finishes just past the houses 700m later. The climb is rarely ridden as it lies in the shadow of its big brother Blackstone Edge.
The climb features as stage 1 of East Lancs RC two stage hill climb (every even year). It's short and not that steep with a maximum of just over 10% but remains constant until the last 100m where the road flattens out. The climb is quite unremarkable with no notable features. If you are a hill climb connoisseur I don't recommend paying it a visit.
I've ridden it in two open hill climbs now, in 2018 where I was second to Dan Evans and in 2020 where I was 3rd.
The climb features as stage 1 of East Lancs RC two stage hill climb (every even year). It's short and not that steep with a maximum of just over 10% but remains constant until the last 100m where the road flattens out. The climb is quite unremarkable with no notable features. If you are a hill climb connoisseur I don't recommend paying it a visit.
I've ridden it in two open hill climbs now, in 2018 where I was second to Dan Evans and in 2020 where I was 3rd.
2020 Event
Blackstone Edge Old Road was the first climb in East Lancs RC two stage HC. I was defending championship for the event but the 2019 editions used two different climbs.
I'm no specialist at super short climbs and that showed one again this year. I had a good start, quickly shifted into the big ring and stood almost entirely to the line. I actually put out my best ever 90s power and completed the climb in 1:37.9, 9s faster than 2018 in slightly worse conditions. The drive from my Auntie and Grannie spurred me on.
My time was good enough for 3rd place behind Adam Kenway and Robert Rogers with are both extremely good at short climbs but the later climb of Blackstone Edge was my main aim to clinch overall victory.
I'm no specialist at super short climbs and that showed one again this year. I had a good start, quickly shifted into the big ring and stood almost entirely to the line. I actually put out my best ever 90s power and completed the climb in 1:37.9, 9s faster than 2018 in slightly worse conditions. The drive from my Auntie and Grannie spurred me on.
My time was good enough for 3rd place behind Adam Kenway and Robert Rogers with are both extremely good at short climbs but the later climb of Blackstone Edge was my main aim to clinch overall victory.
How To Ride
It's a very simple climb. It's so short that it's basically a sprint and you are unlikely to blow up if you set out too hard. The mild average gradient suits a big gear if you can turn it. Give it all as you pass the houses as this is the toughest section.
The only other tidbit is that the finish is out of sight so you want to be sprinting before you it comes into view as the road begins to flatten out and the houses end.
The only other tidbit is that the finish is out of sight so you want to be sprinting before you it comes into view as the road begins to flatten out and the houses end.
My Efforts
Year |
Time |
Power (W) |
Placing |
2020 |
1:37.9 |
631 |
3rd |
2018 |
1:46.4 |
- |
5th |
Previous Results
Year |
Mens 1st |
Mens 2nd |
Mens 3rd |
Womens 1st |
Womens 2nd |
Womens 3rd |
2020 |
Adam Kenway 1:33.6 |
Robert Rogers 1:34.4 |
Jude Taylor 1:37.9 |
Mary Wilkinson 1:58.4 |
Sammie Stuart 2:13.0 |
Martha Tibbot 2:20.2 |
2018 |
Dan Evans 1:34.4 |
Martyn Stewart 1:37.7 |
Thomas Willan 1:39.6 |
Jess Evans 2:04.1 |
Anna Weaver 2:31.2 |
Alexandra Kendall-Smith 2:35.2 |
