Cyclists tackle one of England's steepest hills

Members of the Ryedale Velo Club have cycled up Chimney Bank in Rosedale

A group of cyclists took on one of the steepest hills in England after being inspired by a Victorian man who was the first to get to the top 102 years ago.

Members of the Ryedale Velo Club spent Sunday morning cycling up Chimney Bank in Rosedale, which has sections with a gradient of more than 30%.

Chairman Tim Featherstone said the club, which has 150 members, wanted to follow in the tyre tracks of former postman Edgar Milner, who went up the hill in 1912 at the age of 17, before any automobile was able to.

The residents of Rosedale were so impressed by him, they gave him a medal, which is on display at Ryedale Folk Museum in Hutton-le-Hole.

Mr Featherstone said: “We had more than 20 competitors taking part this morning which, even though it doesn’t sound a lot, we were still pleased with as we have only been running the club for two years.

“One man cycled from Scarborough, cycled up the hill and then cycled back home.

“It’s quite a niche challenge so we appreciated the effort that everyone made as not everyone wants to punish themselves up a hill.”

Mr Featherstone added the group, which welcomes cyclists of all abilities from North Yorkshire, plans to hold another cycling challenge again, and said they would “give it a crack again next year”.

The steep hill has sections with gradients of more than 30%

Money raised through the challenge will go towards the charities Ryedale Folk Museum, Ryedale Special Families and Scarborough and Ryedale Mountain Rescue Team.

Dom Barry, cycling development manager at North York Moors National Park, said: “The North York Moors National Park is a special place to ride a bike from gentle family rides to those looking for challenging climbs.

“Chimney Bank epitomises that with gradients over 30%. It was great to see a mix of competitors take on the challenge, for those looking to set a personal best and others just wanting to complete the challenge and be able say they’ve conquered the Chimney.”

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