Join me as I head out to the Surrey hills hitting a few climbs, smashing a few descents and taking it all in…
This year I’m tackling 60 of the South east of England’s top 60 climbs according to Simon Warren’s book, this episode i’ll be attempting my 9th of the year. Link to Simon’s website is below, in links 👍
I’d be interested to know what you guys think, comments and suggestions always welcome. Thank you for watching 🤘
Please like, comment & subscribe!!
Links
Strava – Rookie C
Channel @therookiecyclist
Instagram @therookiecyclist
Link to my Sponsor and bike mechanic MG Cycles https://mgcycles.co.uk/
Simon Warren’s books inspired this YouTube challenge if you want more details here’s his website https://www.100climbs.co.uk/books that has both the app I’m using and the book (Cycling climbs of south east England)
Video intro created by Charles Christie, for Custom Animations, Logos, Videography and more contact – charles.christie@outlook.com
23 Comments
I too am hairy – NO WAY i'm shaving my legs!! If was a semi pro and could see some tangible gains then maybe. But i'm just an 85kg (ish!) bloke who likes riding my bike. Nice touch thanking the drivers too, I also do that as they are passing when I know they've been patiently waiting to do so safely. Leith Hill was a killer when I did it on the 2017 Ride London.
Excellent video watching you do the local hills, Newlands is a great decent, I hate Coombe, Staples is a good workout & should be on your list, as for shaving my legs, it wouldn't make any difference to my speed🤣 Cliff
Just back from a ride in very flat Essex, but what an evening. Putting in the winter miles and hours on zwift are worth it for the rides I've had this week. Like you said never forget why we ride. Good for the mind, body and soul. Great footage mate. Enjoying your cycling story.
Hello. Greetings from Portugal. What model is ypur bike?
Great video. As you mention, never forget the JOY!
You were literally on my doorstep that day 😅. You’d be surprised that legs only need shaving once a week and it doesn’t take long. I guarantee if you try it the leg hair will bug you when it grows back 🤣
No way of shaving my legs 😂😂. How u finding the new bars?
wasted many hours sitting in the tearoom by the road at Newlands happy days , Coombe was a lovely climb when i was young not sure i would enjoy it now 🤣🤣 great video hopefully get out more now the weather is cheering up
Great video. Love riding Surrey Hills. Need to get back there soon. Did Newlands when it was in Ride London. You're right about the descent. So fast and smooth. Enjoy the weather 😊
Great ride on some great lanes! I know that area pretty well but it seems much quieter during the week. Coombe Lane is often the last proper climb of the day on my longer rides, taking me back over the Downs and I usually get quite euphoric after giving it my all on that last steep section. One last refuel/pee break at the top of Staple Lane, then it's mostly downhill, fast and effortless all the way to Cobham before the final push along Portsmouth Road back to West London, love it!
I did the Newlands descent after you recommended it in one of your earlier videos, it's a brilliant descent, love that smooth tarmac, is that what it's like to cycle in Europe?!
I've actually come up with a mini challenge of my own related to Simon's book. I'm not going to do all the climbs in the SE, but I might try all the climbs he has in Surrey on one ride! Came up with what looks like a decent route with almost no backtracking, once you're in the downs it's 9 official hills, 100km & 1700m of elevation (170km & 2000m for the complete route), which doesn't seem too terrible, but I imagine the repeated steep sections will really destroy your legs. Chalkpit is the second to last climb… I doubt I'll manage it this year but you never know… If you're feeling masochistic I can send you the gpx!
Love a joy ride! 🎉
New to the channel , nice chilled content 👌
You should come over tonthe chiltern hills , theres some epic climbs here , not long but oh my there steep , shaved legs not for cycling just as i dont like be a hairy beast , you dry quicker out the shower too 🤣🤣
I got my top speed going down from Newlnads Corner during Ride London about 10 years ago. Touched 80kph according to my Garmin.
How is the new cockpit Ben? Looks great… My Wife has said 'Shaved Legs = Divorce!'
Great video! I started cycling few weeks ago and just moved around that area recently! I'm 20 minutes away from Newland's Corner, so may try to pop around as I'm carefully exploring the area!
Nice bit of hill work and nice weather to boot. Coombe hill descent is truly a pleasure to behold. I guess shaving the legs is down to individual choice. Live and let live eh? I used to hang around with a group who all had shaved legs, so I kind of went with it as I didn't want to stand out. No regrets though, I'd never change back to hairy legs.
Nice touch with the waving after a decent car pass. I started doing that a while back and it carries well. It does get noticed as most drivers will look back at you in their mirrors, and some even flash the hazards in acknowledgement of your thanks. A little goes a long way… Good video mate 👍😎
Shaving your legs if you're a hobbyist is just embarrassing imo 😂 Theres a lot of "fine margin" things cyclists obsess over that are just pointless to me, bike weight, watts, no gravel bikes on the road etc etc etc. I dont even think clippless is necessary on certain rides or Jersey's… Bib shorts though not negotiable
I think you should just shave your legs you keep posing the question… I know you want to 👹
just leave all the tech at home other than a phone and enjoy the rides 🙂 I don't even record distance any more. I find it so much nicer riding no statistics and maybe just some tunes
Nope, don’t see the point of shaving my legs. I’m not a pro cyclist after all.
Great video as always it’s about time for a change in the weather good to have the bib shorts and short sleeve tops out this week it’s only took 4 months to get decent weather nothing better than just getting up on a morning sun shining and just getting out on the bike
Great content as usual Ben you got shave your legs extra watts lol. Love Surrey, UK cycling sportive was there today at Cranleigh but couldnt get to ride due to commitments some really short sharp climbs there pretty tough fair play great effort.
Hi Ben, after watching this when you first uploaded. I finally made it over to Surrey with the Bike. Didn't climb staple, but went up Shere Hill, Down staple, up Newlands ,(cup of tea at the top) and then climbed Combe. Will definitely be coming back over again. 👍🏻