Quote Originally Posted by Graham Breeze View Post
... I did another 50 miles this week through Settle and over High Hill Lane to Airton. The sign at the bottom said 12.5% but that is not what I remember and Veloviewer confirms it peaks at 17%. Such a mild climb is probably why I caught a rider up who had a dinner plate on his rear wheel but not wanting to humiliate one so young I just followed 20 yards behind for 6 miles and then whoosh! in Airton.

I think my generosity of spirit has always held me back in life. It'll be different next time round.
I think you're selling yourself short here, Graham. According to my mapping software, the climb peaks at 20.6 percent. The 1:25000 OS map gives it a double chevron (1:5 or steeper) at this point too.

For what it's worth, I would have sat down, stuck it in the 25T sprocket (the biggest I own), and attacked early on my 38t inner ring. The earlier you go, the more time you gain. If you leave it late there's a chance they will not lose much and, worse still, may catch you on the descent!

On rare occasions I slow down and have a chat with riders in a case like this. It depends a lot on how much I'd have to slow down, and if I'm feeling competitive. It doesn't happen often.