Sundon Hills – 0.54 miles, ascent 225ft, max. elevation 513ft

The only single arrow climb on the Chilterns Cycleway section east of the M1, this seemingly comes out of nowhere after miles and miles of rolling roads to ascend the Sharpenhoe Clappers ridge. Just go for it, the quicker you get to the picnic site, the quicker it’s over and you can get on with enjoying the views and spinning the legs out in the big ring.

Garsons Hill – 0.52 miles, ascent 200ft, max. elevation 560ft

Pan flat from Ipsden this is the climb that takes you up and over the Chiltern Hills ridge to then drop you back down the other side into the Thames Valley and Henley-on-Thames. At the top it’s worth a quick look back over your shoulder (and a good excuse for a breather) out towards the unmistakable Didcot Power Station.

Bower’s Lane – 0.52 miles, ascent 197ft, max. elevation 621ft

Another little surprise that pops up from around the corner and just keeps going, and going, and going. But at least it takes you to the top of the Chiltern’s ridge, ready for the long descent back down to wherever it is you may be heading.

Small Dean Lane – 0.33 miles, ascent 185ft, max. elevation 660ft

We’ve got history with this one and it has defeated us at the end of a long ride. Technically it’s just a single arrow (1 in 5 to 1 in 7) but feels harder and appears as a wall of tarmac as you approach it from a flat run in. Short and sharp, either accept defeat and drop into a low gear or grit your teeth and attack it, hoping it will be over before your legs notice.

Piper’s Hill – 0.34 miles, ascent 140ft, max. elevation 524ft

A sharp right at Nettleden church will have you reaching for the gear levers with an appropriate amount of gear crunching, clattering and wincing soon to follow as you try to find something suitable to get you over this little beast. The steepest section is in the lower part but there’s still quite a distance of climbing to go after that.

Speen Hairpin – 0.29 miles, ascent 127ft, max. elevation 642ft

Barely enough time to recover from Small Dean Lane before you’re onto the hairpin just outside Speen. The steepest bit on the hairpin comes at the start and lulls you into a false sense of security thinking the climb is over as it levels out slightly, but turn the corner and it kicks again into the middle of the village.

Stony Lane – 0.15 miles (757ft), ascent 110ft, max. elevation 372ft

The shortest climb on the list but sitting at the junction waiting to cross the road, looking up at it is enough to make you take a deep breath and mutter “oh no”. With no run up the climb starts as soon as you cross the road from Latimer village and ends when you turn off onto the bridleway in Lane Wood. And breathe…

For ideas of some cycle routes taking in these climbs, have a look at the Chiltern Cycles dedicated Cycle Routes.

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