Length (m) |
Average Gradient |
Mens CR |
Womans CR |
Strava Segment |
1550 |
10.8% |
4:51.1 Andy Cunningham (24/09/16) |
6:55.8 Hannah Riechert (22/09/18) |
Without doubt Stocks Lane is one of the hardest hill climbs in the UK. Situated in the iconic Calderdale village of Luddenden, Stocks Lane carves its way up the steep valley side. The climb has the same base as the mythical climb Halifax Lane, which hosted the national hill climb championships in 2003 (won by hill climb legend Jim Henderson). Stocks Lane is a slightly simpler climb as the gradient is more constant with fewer turns but don't confuse the simplicity with difficulty. It is an incredibly tough climb.
The modern course starts not quite at the bottom but actually 250m or so out of the village, this is to avoid starting next to cars parked opposite the start line. The climb is immediately hard, averaging 12% for the first 500m with almost no respite.
After 500m the climb reaches a tight, double switchback. It's an opportunity to stretch the legs and a brief easement before the next and toughest section.
Once past the hairpins the sight can be quite daunting, the road appears impossibly steep but fear not, it's less than 20%! (but only just). The 500m after the hairpins averages 14% and is an absolute killer. If you rode the first 500m too hard you will pay for it here. It does feel like it drags on for ages but once the road starts to bend to the right, the hardest part is done.
The saving grace of Stocks Lane is the respite to the climb in the last 300m. Past the right hand bend, the gradient drops top a mere 7% for the final 500m. If you still have something left you can sprint for the line as you pass the hedgerow with 200m or so to go.
I actually think Stocks Lane is a fantastic hill climb. It's very challenging and requires careful pacing to get a quick time. The views of the hillside make it worth it the visit and if you are in for some more punishment, there are many savage climbs throughout the Calderdale Valley.
The modern course starts not quite at the bottom but actually 250m or so out of the village, this is to avoid starting next to cars parked opposite the start line. The climb is immediately hard, averaging 12% for the first 500m with almost no respite.
After 500m the climb reaches a tight, double switchback. It's an opportunity to stretch the legs and a brief easement before the next and toughest section.
Once past the hairpins the sight can be quite daunting, the road appears impossibly steep but fear not, it's less than 20%! (but only just). The 500m after the hairpins averages 14% and is an absolute killer. If you rode the first 500m too hard you will pay for it here. It does feel like it drags on for ages but once the road starts to bend to the right, the hardest part is done.
The saving grace of Stocks Lane is the respite to the climb in the last 300m. Past the right hand bend, the gradient drops top a mere 7% for the final 500m. If you still have something left you can sprint for the line as you pass the hedgerow with 200m or so to go.
I actually think Stocks Lane is a fantastic hill climb. It's very challenging and requires careful pacing to get a quick time. The views of the hillside make it worth it the visit and if you are in for some more punishment, there are many savage climbs throughout the Calderdale Valley.
2020 Event
The weather had turned a couple of days before, it was now bitter, cold and windy. It was a block headwind on the climb making for a tough day.
With the steep gradient, I took a couple of seconds to clip in but not outrageously long. I had a good start and pushed hard (but controlled) to the hair pins. I was feeling good and was ahead of the course record by halfway. I used the hairpins to recover slightly before ramping it up on the hardest section. I felt strong and used the gradient to get the power out. I was still feeling good and on for a good day.
I'd averaged 500w for the first 3.5 mins and wanted to hold this to the line. I've done slightly less in training so was confident in my ability on race day. This did not go to plan unfortunately. As I crested the steep section and the road opened up, the wind really drained my legs and I began to fade which wasn't ideal.
I was on the verge of catching my minute man but really struggled to push on to claw him. I just felt dead. Yes, I had gone harder than I could sustain for 5 minutes but I was hoping I'd be able to hold the effort. It wasn't to be and I began to crack towards the top.
I was 2s down on the winner with a minute to go but lost 19s by the end as I faded and he pushed on. It was a bit disappointing to be beaten by so much but sometimes it's good to lose as it gives me real drive. It was still a solid second place and another podium.
With the steep gradient, I took a couple of seconds to clip in but not outrageously long. I had a good start and pushed hard (but controlled) to the hair pins. I was feeling good and was ahead of the course record by halfway. I used the hairpins to recover slightly before ramping it up on the hardest section. I felt strong and used the gradient to get the power out. I was still feeling good and on for a good day.
I'd averaged 500w for the first 3.5 mins and wanted to hold this to the line. I've done slightly less in training so was confident in my ability on race day. This did not go to plan unfortunately. As I crested the steep section and the road opened up, the wind really drained my legs and I began to fade which wasn't ideal.
I was on the verge of catching my minute man but really struggled to push on to claw him. I just felt dead. Yes, I had gone harder than I could sustain for 5 minutes but I was hoping I'd be able to hold the effort. It wasn't to be and I began to crack towards the top.
I was 2s down on the winner with a minute to go but lost 19s by the end as I faded and he pushed on. It was a bit disappointing to be beaten by so much but sometimes it's good to lose as it gives me real drive. It was still a solid second place and another podium.
How To Ride
The climb can be broken down into 4 sections. The first is the straight, steep 500m section to the hairpins. You want to be going hard here but sustainably so as there is a lot to go. The next stage is over the hairpins, you have to knock off the effort to guide yourself around the bends which gives you time to recover before the next savage section. Section 3 is the last tough section but steeper and harder than the first. The climb really starts to bite here and you must focus to not crack. The final stretch offers some respite from the earlier 20% sections and is a sprint to the finish from there.
With steepness and sustained length of the steep sections you cannot set out too hard. You want to keep hard and restrained until the hairpins. The place to push is the 500m after the hairpins, give it hell here then try to hang on for the last section as the gradient slackens.
Stocks lane would probably suit a fixed gear as the gradients don't vary too wildly. I'm not a fan of fixed so would just use a single ring (I rode a 42T in 2020). It could be worth using a double as you can shift into the big ring for the final flatter section and the smaller inner ring would be advantageous for the steepest sections but the weight saving from a single ring is probably beneficial due to the high average gradient.
With steepness and sustained length of the steep sections you cannot set out too hard. You want to keep hard and restrained until the hairpins. The place to push is the 500m after the hairpins, give it hell here then try to hang on for the last section as the gradient slackens.
Stocks lane would probably suit a fixed gear as the gradients don't vary too wildly. I'm not a fan of fixed so would just use a single ring (I rode a 42T in 2020). It could be worth using a double as you can shift into the big ring for the final flatter section and the smaller inner ring would be advantageous for the steepest sections but the weight saving from a single ring is probably beneficial due to the high average gradient.
My Efforts
Year |
Time |
Power (W) |
Placing |
2020 |
5:11.5 (Headwind) |
461 |
2nd |
2016 |
5:01.8 (Tailwind) |
468 (Old PM) |
5th |
2015 |
5:22.7 |
447 (Old PM) |
5th |
Previous Results
Year |
Mens 1st |
Mens 2nd |
Mens 3rd |
Womens 1st |
Womens 2nd |
Womens 3rd |
2020 |
Andrew Feather 4:52.0 |
Jude Taylor 5:11.5 |
Jack Moore 5:35.5 |
Gemma Hobson 7:26.20 |
Alexandra Kendall-Smith 8:05.4 |
Isabell Ash 8:26.8 |
2016 |
Andy Cunningham 4:51.1 |
Paddy Clark 4:56.1 |
Chris Dyke 4:56.6 |
Helen Roby 7:10.6 |
Nikola Matthews 7:39.8 |
Sarah Burbage 7:43.4 |
2015 |
Tom Bell |
Ben Davis |
Jacob Ragan |
- |
- |
- |
I was interviewed on the day, see the youtube video below for my trying to collect my thoughts having just blown my legs off.
The view from the top is certainly worth it.
