Cycling Climbs of North East England

When it comes to choosing a top cycling destination, there are three key ingredients to keep in mind; beautiful landscapes, empty roads and, of course, killer climbs. North-East England, from the Pennines all the way up to the border with Scotland, has all three in spades. Among its classic climbs are Chapel Fell and Crawleyside in County Durham and the brilliant Plenmeller Common and Prospect Hill of Northumberland. In fact, whichever county you pedal into, you’re never too far from a real challenge, and a cycling trip to remember. This regional extension of the bestselling 100 Greatest Cycling Climbs contains at least 50% new material.

SIMON WARREN has been obsessed with cycling since the summer of 1989 after watching Greg Lemond battle Laurent Fignon in the Tour de France. A few weeks later he rode his first race, a 10 mile time trial on the A1 from Newark to Grantham and back. Although not having what it took to beat the best, he found his forte was racing up hills, and so began his fascination with steep roads. His quest to discover Britain's greatest climbs resulted in the bestselling 100 Greatest Cycling Climbs, followed by Another 100 Greatest Cycling Climbs, Hellingen: A Road Cyclist's Guide to Belgium's Greatest Cycling Climbs and 100 Greatest Cycling Climbs of the Tour de France: A Cyclist's Guide to Riding the Mountains of the Tour. Simon works during the day as a magazine art editor and lives in Walthamstow, east London with his wife and two children.