beardy wrote:Climbing 400 feet in about a mile and a bit would take around 15 minutes, cycling 10 flat miles would take about half an hour (without headwind).
I think you're being a little pessimistic there.
Just looking at the records from my last ride up Gunnislake Hill from the village. I ride up that hill regularly.
After one mile up the hill from 200ft in the centre of the village, to the 630ft mark (ie climb 430ft) I've done the one mile in 9mins 3sec.
At 15mins, I'm at 700ft and done 1.75miles but by then I'm well past the main part of the hill.
I'm no athlete, and I don't honk up there and race. I engage bottom gear and take my time.
Mick F. Cornwall