Feb 25, 2014 Peak District Climbs - #6 Sir William Hill Road The two roads I like riding most leaving Hathersage are Abney and this one, Sir William Road. A single lane back-wack that leads up and snakes around Leam farm. Once you've taken the B6001 out of Hathersage and dropped under the bridge you pass the David Mellor Museum and the football pitch to your left. You'll then pass the road to Abney on your right, the next road, the one before you reach Fallcliff Wood is the severe Sir William Hill Road and one that boasts ace views and interesting architecture. It does have it's moments of intense unpleasant gradient where I had to use my 23 sprocket (42.23), especially the two semi-switchbacks. The first goes past the perishing roofs of the farm house which then levels out for 100 yards before it raises again, swinging left as the road forks. I suggest you go wide as the inside-line of the road is rather strenuous. The second part of the climb as you pass Leam settles into an easier gradient before rolling through Home wood and Sherriff wood. There are a few trees down up there and you'll notice an ever changing den on your left. It was ti-pi made of wood in summer, yesterday it was a full-bown plastic-covered shed made from broken bits of trees with a rope swing, perhaps made by the children who live in the farm. Once your through the over hanging trees, at the end of the road turn right - the last part of the the climb and another drag before your at the top. You'll be greeted with panoramic views, looking back down into Grindleford and over to Bretton Brook. From there you can start the fast decent to Eyam or the take the ridge road that leads to Hucklow or Bretton.
