Length (m) |
Average Gradient |
Mens CR |
Womans CR |
Strava Segment |
1880 |
10% |
Andrew Feather 5:49.1 (27/09/20) |
Hannah Farran 8:11.7 (27/09/20) |
A tough climb on the fringes of the North Yorkshire Moors National Park that promises great view over the flatlands of Yorkshire. The event is run by Stockton Wheelers who also host the much longer Tan Hill hill climb.
As you start to climb through the forest, it's hard to see why Carlton Bank is so feared. The gradient is shallow and the trees provide a nice shelter from the elements. It's feels quite poetic really but it's a dichotomy to the final half.
After the first 600-700m of relative calm, the road rises up to the cattle grid. It's here where the climb really kicks off.
Whilst the overall average gradient is 10%, the first 700m is only 7% and the rest is 13%. The latter half really bites hard. The gradient isn't constant either, it ramps and drops disrupting the rhythm making pacing tedious.
The first ramp past the cattle grid hits over 20% before easing slightly until the next kicker. It repeats like this to the line brutalising your endeavour. By the end your legs will be screaming, I can promise you that. That second half throws everything it has at you.
It's an achievement to conquer and rewards with great views to savour at the top.
As you start to climb through the forest, it's hard to see why Carlton Bank is so feared. The gradient is shallow and the trees provide a nice shelter from the elements. It's feels quite poetic really but it's a dichotomy to the final half.
After the first 600-700m of relative calm, the road rises up to the cattle grid. It's here where the climb really kicks off.
Whilst the overall average gradient is 10%, the first 700m is only 7% and the rest is 13%. The latter half really bites hard. The gradient isn't constant either, it ramps and drops disrupting the rhythm making pacing tedious.
The first ramp past the cattle grid hits over 20% before easing slightly until the next kicker. It repeats like this to the line brutalising your endeavour. By the end your legs will be screaming, I can promise you that. That second half throws everything it has at you.
It's an achievement to conquer and rewards with great views to savour at the top.
2020 Event
Pleased with my morning effort on Clay Bank, I was motivated to push hard once again up Carlton Bank. I tend not to do as well on multiple climbs in one day but with bigger competitions to come it's very good training.
My plan was to hold back until the cattle grid, then let rip on the severity afterwards. That was the plan anyway. I had a good start, clipped in very quickly and got up to speed. Keeping it in the saddle, I kept it constant awaiting the cattle grid.
Once I passed this, I got out of the saddle and tried to raise it as the gradient increased. I was feeling tired but could still push on without fading which was nice.
I caught my two minute man with 200m to go and just drilled it to the line from there. The undulation effort plays to my strength but I was in difficulty towards the top.
I was reasonably pleased with my effort. I'd managed just under 450W for 6 minutes (over 7W/kg) which was reasonable for the second effort of the day. In the end I was second to Andrew Feather by 21s but he is almost untouchable over that sort of distance.
My plan was to hold back until the cattle grid, then let rip on the severity afterwards. That was the plan anyway. I had a good start, clipped in very quickly and got up to speed. Keeping it in the saddle, I kept it constant awaiting the cattle grid.
Once I passed this, I got out of the saddle and tried to raise it as the gradient increased. I was feeling tired but could still push on without fading which was nice.
I caught my two minute man with 200m to go and just drilled it to the line from there. The undulation effort plays to my strength but I was in difficulty towards the top.
I was reasonably pleased with my effort. I'd managed just under 450W for 6 minutes (over 7W/kg) which was reasonable for the second effort of the day. In the end I was second to Andrew Feather by 21s but he is almost untouchable over that sort of distance.
How To Ride
Very challenging climb and tough to pace. With the casual early gradient, you can be lulled into a false tempo but you absolutely must hold back for the finale. As it starts to ramp up approaching the cattle grid you want to raise your effort accordingly but remember that final 800m is savage.
There are about 2 minutes left from the cattle grid but it's extremely hard, averaging more than 13% for 800m. It's worth pressing on the steep ramps, recovering what you can on the lower gradients so you can charge up the next one. The ramps feel endless and if you're cooked you'll be praying to see the finish. I recommend a good recce before the hill climb so you can get a feel for the undulations.
There are about 2 minutes left from the cattle grid but it's extremely hard, averaging more than 13% for 800m. It's worth pressing on the steep ramps, recovering what you can on the lower gradients so you can charge up the next one. The ramps feel endless and if you're cooked you'll be praying to see the finish. I recommend a good recce before the hill climb so you can get a feel for the undulations.
My Efforts
Year |
Time |
Power (W) |
Placing |
2020 |
6:10.0 |
444 |
2nd |
Previous Results
Year |
Men's 1st |
Men's 2nd |
Men's 3rd |
Women's 1st |
Women's 2nd |
Women's 3rd |
2020 |
Andrew Feather 5:49.1 |
Jude Taylor 6:10.0 |
Nathan Smith 6:18.1 |
Hannah Farran 8:11.7 |
Georgia Campbell 9:57.8 |
Kate Sanderson 10:46.1 |