Rachel Thompson MBERiding

To the top of Two Trees

SOMEhill climbs are hard because they are long and wear you down gradually. Others start off gently but then have a very steep section that makes them tough. And, then there are those that are steep from the very start, intimidating any CYCLING with EDMUND cyclist who may approach it. A good example of the latter is Two LODITE Trees in the pretty village of Blagdon situated on the northern flank of the Mendip Hills. It’s made up of three different lanes, the last of which is Two Trees – an evocatively named, ruler-straight stretch of hill that takes you along the final kilometre to the top.

It is one of those Mendip Hill climbs that more-or-less just tries to go straight uphill, unlike its neighbour at Burrington Combe which follows a longer, but on average less steep path made by nature. Both are featured regularly in the Junior Tour of the Mendips, a national race for Britain’s best young cyclists.

The climb starts at the junction on the A368 by the Seymour Arms. Because you’re already nearly one third of the way up the Mendip Hills you will need to reach for the lowest gears from the start. Then what follows is a tough but terrific, breathless and beautiful ride towards the top of the Mendip Hills.

The first section rises from the village centre along a lane lane is straight it’s hard to judge how steep it is, appearing flanked on both sides by pretty cottages. The 14% gradient not to look too difficult. You could easily be mistaken for gives you an immediate heart-pumping and breathless thinking that all the hard work had been done earlier. introduction to the climb ahead. However, after a short distance your legs will kick in with a

As the houses spread out, the slope eases off a little until reality check as the gradient increases again. you approach a sign indicating bends in the road ahead for The end of the lane can be seen on the horizon, but at 400 yards. In this section along Rhodyate, the twists and almost a kilometre long it doesn’t appear to get any closer turns on the lane expose the increasing gradient ahead of despite your efforts. It is though a beautiful lane to cycle you. along, wide with very little traffic and fine views.

On one of those left-hand bends passing a green bench, just Just as you approach the horizon there is one final steeper before the headquarters of Yeo Valley Organic, if you look section that will remind you of how you started this hill backwards slightly you’re rewarded with fine views over climb. Breathless, you reach the end of the climb, where the Blagdon Lake. You’ll also see how high you have already lane levels off between two opposing field gates, about 100 climbed bringing some reward for your efforts so far. metres before the junction with the road from Burrington

As the direction steadies the gradient eases and you go past Combe. the junction with Ellick Road on your right. Ahead is Two Although this is a tough climb, I think it looks harder than Trees the final section of this climb. The perfectly straight it actually is and there’s a great sense of achievement from lane rises way into the distance bordered here and there by cycling it. The last long straight uphill section is unlike any trees. I suppose at one time there were just two trees! other hill climb you will find on the Mendip Hills. For that

This is the most deceptive part of the climb. Because the reason alone, it makes Two Trees a standout classic amongst the hill climbs of Mendip. Climb Stats: Distance 1.6 km; Elevation Gain 151m, Average gradient 8.7%, Max gradient 17%

Junior Tour of the Mendips

MAYCROSSWORDSOLUTION

ACROSS: 1. Engross 5. Rodwell 9. Sedge 10. Floorplan 11. Overheated 12. Scam 14. Antediluvian 18. Tytherington 21. Amen 22. Pencil case 25. Gastritis 26. Vegan 27. Radiate 28. Exactly. DOWN:1. Easton 2. Godney 3. Open-handed 4. Sofia 5. Reopening 6. Dory 7. Eclectic 8. Landmine 13. Landmine 15. Epicentre 16. Stranger 17. Stressed 19. Maggot 20. Keenly 23. Caste 24. Urea