100 Climbs Route: Day 23, Otterburn to Darlington

In August 2018, three Cycling UK members - Dominic Millar, Graham Salisbury and James Findlater – cycled a 3,300-mile, 29-day route around Britain to take on all 100 hills featured in Simon Warren’s book ‘100 Greatest Cycling Climbs’. This route plots day 23 of the journey, 120 miles from Otterburn to Darlington, taking in the climbs of Winters Gibbet, Peth Bank, Crawleyside and Chapel Fell.

After 22 days, a couple of thousand miles ridden and hundreds of thousands of feet climbed, you’d think there wouldn’t be chance for any new experiences on this tour. But you’d be wrong. Because on day 23 you’re going to do something you haven’t done before: in just a single day, you’re going to climb every hill in an entire ‘100 Greatest Cycling Climbs’ region. OK, so Simon Warren’s book only lists four climbs in the North-East, but let's not knock it – it’s always good to have a new achievement.

As you may have noticed, our daily routes tend to forego much in the way or warm-ups, and so it is here, with the first major climb – Winters Gibbet – arriving not far outside Otterburn. Be aware that the toughest stretch is at the bottom but your legs will have a hard time recovering. Which is all the more reason to enjoy the sight of the replica gibbet, with its fake head, at the summit.

Ride south, around the far western edges of Newcastle to Lanchester, where you’ll detour east to ride the second climb of the day: Peth Bank. With a rough surface and sections of 20%, it’s another good test. At the T-junction summit, spin round and return to Lanchester.

From here head south-west to Wolsingham, arriving at Stanhope soon after. Detour north to climb up through Crawleyside and onwards onto the moor. The early slopes of the hill are the steepest; by the time you reach open moor, things have levelled off (...slightly!).

Return back to Stanhope and westwards to St John’s Chapel, where you’ll turn south and almost instantly arrive at the climb of Chapel Fell. Our day in the North-East has saved the hardest for last. This lung-busting effort is the highest paved pass in England and it feels it, with a super tough gradient and often wild weather at the summit, so be prepared to suffer.

At least that final challenge didn't require a detour, though, so continue along this road to Langdon Beck, then turn south-east for the long ride into Darlington.

You’ve done it – a full region in a day!