So, a lot of people talk about “the hill at the end”. Not many people really give details on what it is like.
I kinda expected something like the London To Southend. A long, wide road, straight road which stretched out in front of you, just going up, and up.
The AVERAGE gradient is 9%, or there abouts. The road AVERAGES at 9% incline. That is about 5 degrees.The hill on the London to Brighton is not like that. Not like that at all. The road is narrow, that is the first thing to be aware of, the second thing to be aware of is that its very wiggly. The third thing to be aware of is its under trees, and finally, the final thing to be aware of is its STEEP.
At some points the gradient increases to 38% but really the actual climbing elements of the ride really never drop below 12%. Its hard, not just because of the gradient, but because it is relentless in its length. It is a mile long and an incline of about 840 feet.
So, the road is wiggly, its under trees, its a mile long, its steep, its narrow. SURELY there is nothing else to make this hill any worse… Yes, there is. 27'999 other people trying to get up it.
As you start the hill there are people already walking, as you climb the hill, more people drop out and so the left hand side of the road starts to fill with people walking. As you climb further, more people stop riding, and the random nature in which they stop increases. The width of the walkers, by the time you are a third of the way up is quite vast. As you get to half way most have now started walking and the people who are still cycling are really tired by this point.
I dont really remember what the final half of the hill was like, I remember the cycling section of the road being quite small. There were a LOT of people walking and the drop outs were becoming a real problem. There are very keen cyclist coming up on the far right of the road, mostly screaming for walkers to “Get on the left of the road, if you walking, get over on the left!”
I managed to get the top of the hill, not stopping and cycling all the way. It was tough, but I made it. If it wasnt for the tannoy person telling me “If you can hear me, if you can hear this, you are nearly there, keep going”. If you cycle and you hear him, then do keep going, its only to more bends and then you are done!
The road bends round a lot and balancing the slow pace, with random people stopping in front of you, and the gradient is actually a bit of an art. Defintely should take your time…
At the top its really busy but its a GREAT view. See the attached photo…
My advice, start slowly, keep to a pace you like, be careful and dont give up. You can make it.
(PS training with hills really helps)