THE CYCLING CLIMBS OF EAST ANGLIA

This is a  beautiful, if not too testing road that takes you from the Granta valley up onto the Newmarket ridge over 3.5 km of gentle, serene climbing.  Begin crossing the river in Hildersham and roll up the insignificant slope to the crossroads.  From here, head straight across and push on over a false summit.  After a short descent, settle into a rhythm for the rest of the climb.  The slope does not present any challenge until about halfway when your view of the open farmland is temporarily removed due to a line of hedgerows.  Change down a gear and remain in the saddle as yellowhammers and thrushes flit between bushes.  Over another brow and all that remains is some false flat to deliver you to a peaceful finish just outside Balsham.