United Kingdom Mow Cop (SW #36)
Mow Cop (SW #36) Bike Climb - PJAMM Cycling

5.1
PDI
0.9 mi
DISTANCE
561 ft
GAINED
11.6 %
AVG. GRADE
FULL CLIMB STATS
MORE

INTRO

Mow Cop is a murderous, albeit brief, climb in the Midlands of England.  This climb is 1.5 kilometers with an average grade of 11.4%. At kilometer 1.1 we have to come out of the seat for 100 meters as we grind up a 21% stretch.

PLAN YOUR ROUTE

We've partnered with Sherpa-Map.com to bring you the best route planning tool. With a PRO Membership you can use this climb as a reference when creating your route.

See more details and tools regarding this climb's grade via our interactive Profile Tool.
Information Not Available

If you have any information regarding this climb, we'd like to hear from you. Click the CONTRIBUTE button to share your thoughts with us.

Information Not Available

If you have any information regarding this climb, we'd like to hear from you. Click the CONTRIBUTE button to share your thoughts with us.

Before heading out on any cycling adventure check out our Things to Bring on a Cycling Trip and use our interactive check list to ensure you don't forget anything.
Information Not Available

If you have any information regarding this climb, we'd like to hear from you. Click the CONTRIBUTE button to share your thoughts with us.

ROUTE MAP

MEMBER RATING

Not Yet Rated
-
Road
-
Traffic
-
Scenery

CURRENT WEATHER

PJAMM TRIPS ADVENTURE STARTER BUNDLES

Check out PJAMM Adventure's prepackaged (self-guided) cycling trips. They will help you plan, document and conquer your next adventure.
ALL TRIPS
Browse all of our prepackaged trips and find your next adventure!

NEARBY CLIMBS (0) RADIAL PROXIMITY

FROM
No Climbs Found

MEMBER REVIEWS & COMMENTS

Let us know what you thought of this climb. Signup for our FREE membership to write a review or post a comment.
Already have an account?
LOG IN HERE
ROUTE MAP
PROFILE TOOL
Route Data
S.G. (%)
hide
Segment Data
hide
CLIMB SUMMARY

Cycling Mow Cop - aerial view of Mow Cop Castle, Simon Warren's 100 Greatest Cycling Climbs #36 logo in corner

Cycling Mow Cop, Cheshire and Staffordshire.

Mow Cop Castle at top of climb.       

Cycling Mow Cop - road sign for Halls Road, 25% grade road sign, view from below of bike parked on road beneath Mow Cop Castle, views of two lane roads

                                 

Simon Warren’s 100 Greatest Cycling Climbs, Britain choice for #33 is a challenge at 1.5 kilometers with an average grade of 11.4%.  At kilometer 1.1 we have to come out of the seat for 100 meters as we grind up a 21% stretch.  

Mow Cop once hosted the British National Hill Climb Championships in 1952 (Brian Robinson topping the podium).

Photo:  BikeRaceInfo.com

After passing a railroad crossing (we were unlucky) the first half of the climb is through rural pasture.  

Bicycle climb Mow Crop - #36 Simon Warren 100 Greatest Cycling Climbs, Britain - bike leaning against fence at railway crossing 

No KOM today!

The second half of the climb is through a neighborhood, ending near Mow Cop Castle just down High Street, less than 100 meters to our left.

Cycling Mow Cop - PJAMM Cycling logo in corner, aerial view of Mow Cop Castle built atop the hillside, winding road leading up to castle, village behind castle

Mow Cop Castle was built in 1754 by Randle Wilbraham of nearby Rode Hall and was designed to look like a medieval fortress.  In 1937 the castle was transferred to the National Trust.[1]  The castle is referred to as a “folly” because it does not serve the purpose for which it appears (i.e., it was merely a home, not a medieval defensive fortress).

If you are just doing this climb and need a place to park, Heritage Marina is the spot.  The Marina has a cafe and offers river tours on the Macclesfield Canal through Heritage Narrow Boats.

Cycling Mow Cop - PJAMM Cycling logo in corner, large red barge boat with "Mow Cop" printed along side, Mow Cop Marina

This is a great climbing area with five other Top 100 Greatest Climbs within 50 kilometers to the north/northeast.

 

Steepest ½ kilometer begins at km 800m (14.6%).

Cycling Mow Cop - weathered road with the word "SLOW" painted across it, aerial view of pastureland, one-lane road, close up of blackberries on the vine, PJAMM Cycling logo in corner

Views along the climb.

Cycling Uphill writes of this climb:

“Mow Cop is a fantastic little climb on the border of Cheshire and Staffordshire. From the valley bottom, you can see the imposing ruins of Mow Cop castle at the top. Mow Cop was obviously an excellent defensive position in the days of medieval battles. These days Mow Cop is the scene of a different kind of struggle.”  

Cycling Mow Cop - bike with PJAMM Cycling jersey draped over it, parked at climb's finish, road sign for Top Station Road

Climb’s Finish.