Mam Nick – Original Screenprint

Artist: Eliza Southwood
Price: £165
Publication date: Not stated but c.2019
Format: Original Screenprint
Condition: Fine condition, unframed
Size: 50cm x 70cm
Edition: 40 copies, signed by the artist

Size: 50cm x 70cm. Original screenprint. Edition of 40. Signed and numbered in pencil by the artist. New.

Mam Nick: A Short Account

Orientation and character

Mam Nick, the road that climbs between Edale and Castleton beneath Mam Tor in the Peak District, is one of England’s most atmospheric short climbs. It is not long, but it is steep, exposed, and psychologically demanding, combining sudden gradients with a raw, upland setting. For cyclists, Mam Nick is less about endurance and more about power, pacing, and nerve.

The climb is sometimes overshadowed by nearby Winnats Pass, but Mam Nick has a very different personality: broader, bleaker, and more wind-affected, with gradients that bite without the theatrical enclosure of limestone walls.

The climb: Edale to Mam Tor

Distance and profile

• Length: approximately 1 km
• Elevation gain: around 120 m
• Average gradient: c.10–11%
• Maximum gradient: c.18–20% (short ramps)

On paper, these numbers look manageable. On the road, they feel much harder.

Starting section

From the Edale side, the climb begins almost immediately after leaving the valley floor. There is no gentle run-in. The road tilts sharply upwards from the first few pedal strokes, forcing an instant decision: commit to a low gear early or risk grinding to a halt.

The opening section sits around the low-to-mid teens. This is where many riders overcook it, mistaking the short length for an excuse to attack too hard. The exposed hillside offers no visual shelter, and the road ahead appears unrelentingly steep.

Mid-climb: exposure and rhythm

The middle of Mam Nick is where the climb asserts its character. The gradient fluctuates rather than easing properly, which disrupts rhythm. Wind becomes a major factor here. In westerlies or northerlies, gusts can hit square on, increasing resistance and destabilising the bike, especially at low speeds.

There is a sense of isolation despite the road’s proximity to popular walking routes. The landscape opens out, and the absence of trees or walls amplifies both wind and effort. This is a climb where breathing becomes audible, legs heavy, and cadence hard to maintain.

Final ramps

The last section includes the steepest pitches. These ramps arrive late enough to punish anyone who has gone too hard early. The road surface is generally good, but at very low cadence even minor imperfections become noticeable.

The summit itself is understated: no dramatic hairpin, no celebratory sign, just a sense of relief as the gradient finally releases near the ridge by Mam Tor.

Descent and onward riding

From the top, riders can:

• Drop down towards Castleton (with care: steep, potentially windy, and often busy with walkers and cars)
• Continue along the ridge road towards Winnats Pass
• Turn back to descend into Edale, which can be fast and cold even in summer

The descent demands caution. Exposure means sudden gusts, and sheep or walkers are common. Braking surfaces can be damp in poor weather, even when the valley below is dry.

Physical demands and technique

Gearing

Mam Nick strongly favours low gearing. For most riders:

• Compact or sub-compact chainsets are advisable
• A wide-range cassette reduces the risk of grinding to a stall

Trying to “muscle” this climb in too high a gear is a common mistake.

Pacing

Because of its short length, Mam Nick tempts riders into anaerobic effort. The more successful approach is:

• Controlled start
• Accepting low cadence early
• Reserving effort for the final ramps

Think of it as a one-kilometre test of restraint.

Bike handling

At low speeds, especially in wind, keeping the bike stable matters. A relaxed upper body and firm but not rigid grip help manage gusts and gradient changes.

Weather and seasonal conditions

Mam Nick is highly sensitive to weather:

• Wind: often the defining factor; can turn a hard climb into a brutal one
• Rain: reduces traction on steep ramps
• Winter: ice and snow are common; the road can be impassable

Even in summer, temperatures can drop sharply near the top. Riders should be prepared for upland conditions, not valley comfort.

Mental experience

Psychologically, Mam Nick feels harder than its statistics suggest. This is due to:

• Immediate steepness
• Lack of visual relief
• Exposure to wind
• Absence of landmarks marking progress

It is a climb that rewards acceptance rather than aggression. Riders who settle into discomfort tend to fare better than those who fight it.

Place within Peak District cycling

Mam Nick is rarely ridden in isolation. It often forms part of classic Peak District routes linking:

• Edale
• Castleton
• Hope Valley
• Winnats Pass and the Great Ridge

Within this context, Mam Nick acts as a short, sharp punctuation mark in a ride rather than its headline act. Yet for many cyclists, it is one of the climbs that lingers most clearly in memory.

Overall assessment

Cycling Mam Nick is not about spectacle or length. It is about:

• Gradient concentration
• Exposure
• Quiet severity

It is a climb that strips riding down to essentials: gear choice, pacing, and mental resolve. Modest in scale, uncompromising in feel, Mam Nick exemplifies the honest difficulty of Peak District cycling.

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