Hoy on a hill is a happy cyclist

OLYMPIC cycle champion Sir Chris Hoy has led a quest to find the king of Britain’s hills.Sir Chris and his team scoured the country high and low over the summer to locate the best slopes to ride down.They have now drawn up a shortlist of the top ten inclines.

Judges selected the pick of the peaks after considering factors including the route itself, the views offered and the mount’s historical significance.

The favourites included Arthur’s Seat in Edinburgh, which offers views across Edinburgh’s Old Town; and the Rest and Be Thankful road, otherwise known as the A83 west of Loch Lomond, which is popular for its breathtaking views across the Scottish Highlands.

Others were Newlands Corner in Surrey, popular for its gentle descents; Cheddar Gorge in Somerset, where cyclists are faced with a gruelling 11km ride to reach its peak; and Holme Moss in Yorkshire.

Silver Street in Lyme Regis, with a descent lined with cottages and wild flowers, and Blackstone Edge in West Yorkshire, which has the longest unbroken slope in England, were also on the top list, as well as Old Winchester Hill in Hampshire, Ham Common in Richmond and Ralph Allen in Bath.

Sir Chris arrived at his top ten after considering hundreds of contenders submitted as part of Sky Ride 2011 – a campaign to get a million people cycling regularly by 2013.

Hoy was assisted in his search by Etain O’Carroll, editor of the Lonely Planet Cycling Guide.