Discussion over here: http://singletrackmag.com/forum/topic/need-some-big-climbs-what-have-you-got/page/2
Made me think about what the answer to this might be.
My suggestion is Cairngorm from Glenmore via Marquis Well at roughly 950m vertical gain.
Not sure if there's anything bigger or in fact if my suggestion is entirely possible having only come down this way. Certainly the path between the ropes would be a world class effort if it's possible at all.
Any takers?
I've done the Cairngorm from Glenmore. Up the walkers path to the car park, then up the access road to Ptarmigan. That horrid cobbled bit on to the plateau proper and then flattish across to the cairn. No idea how long it took, though I did stop for an ice cream and a chat with a Ranger at Ptarmigan.
It's a fair way up..
[url= http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3013/2849831407_1b1b3307b1_z.jp g" target="_blank">
[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/druidh2000/2849831407/ ]2008-07-28 16-41-52[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/druidh2000/ ]druidh_dubh[/url], on Flickr
Nice day for it though...
[url= http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3083/2850662440_d0313b30fe_z.jp g" target="_blank">
[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/druidh2000/2850662440/ ]2008-07-28 16-46-22[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/druidh2000/ ]druidh_dubh[/url], on Flickr
You rode it all? Well done.
What's Corrieyarrack (sp) from FA?
If you rode that bit from the Ptarmigan to the summit then you are a total hero.
It's all rideable - just bluddy steep. At my age, I just take regular rests 🙂
The Corrieyairack is 770m. FA is about 15m. There's a wee bit of height loss/gain getting to the start of the main climb, so that would give over 800m I guess.
I don't recall that bit being particularly hard (but then my memory isn't what it once was 🙂 ) I was more aware of the Rangers eyes boring into the back of my helmet......Spin - Member
If you rode that bit from the Ptarmigan to the summit then you are a total hero.
I have seen a climber break a leg coming down it when it was covered in ice. Ironic after he'd spent three days ice-climbing on the crags round the Shelter Stone.
Mount Keen is 939m high and is all rideable to the top bar the last few feet, I'm not sure what ascent is from the Esk side.
I walked a fair bit of the dirt road, but I was on a 22-28 or 30 I think. I also don't do as much "mountainbiking" these days 😛
The Glen Esk car park is at 258m.
It's all rideable - just bluddy steep. At my age, I just take regular rests
Ha Ha. By rideable I mean nae dabs! Rest = Dab. Great to be up there on the bike is it not?
Cynic-Al - I have a suspicion that I did this with you to start a round of the northern corries with Shearer. Snow stopped us riding to the Ptarmigan that day. Am I right? Or have I got the wrong chap?
Snowdon up the Tourist path? from 100m to 1085m - although reckon the last 20m or 30m of height is not ridable. So 950/960m or so of climbing to the train station. Last time I rode up there was 1991 so maybe the track is not ridable all the way (was back in 1991).
Biggest one I have done is up to Drum Mountain behind Conwy NWales
Goes from sea level in Llanfairfechan to IIRC; 770m ish at the summit. Its all perfectly rideable with fitness being the main factor!
Went up there in the winter, there were large sections of path covered in sheet ice. Was scary coming down!
Spin...last Easter? Yup, moi