Cycling in Scotland the other day I took the chance to do some uphill freewheeling near Ayr.
Croy Brae, often nicknamed Electric Brae, is a 'gravity hill' - an optical illusion that fools you into thinking an up slope is a down slope, and that the laws of thermodynamics are being temporarily suspended.
It's on the A719, about seven miles of gentle climb and coastal views south out of Ayr. A sign warns you of slow traffic: lots of cars can't resist the temptation to stop, let off the handbrake, and roll magically against the gradient.
There are several such gravity hills (I featured one in Aston Clinton, near Tring, in my Quirky Bike Rides book). But Electric Brae is the best one to cycle. 
The illusion really is astonishing. This stretch of road clearly goes downhill into the trees, doesn't it?
Actually not, as the detailed stone plaque informs you in the lay by. In fact it's a quarter of a mile of 1 in 86 descent the other way, towards the camera.
If you stop on your bike 'down' in the middle of those trees and face towards the camera, you roll 'uphill', reaching a freewheel speed of about 10mph. (Conversely, of course, cycling the other way feels oddly strenuous for a 'downhill'.)
The strangest thing is how the illusion disappears the instant you lower your viewpoint (right), particularly when you're looking through a camera. With the surrounding hills out of your eye line, it's suddenly clear that the slope runs towards you. It's a remarkable demonstration of how subtle, but powerful, the subconscious effect is of the skyline on your mental spirit level.
There are plenty of downhills around here that are most definately uphill in both directions.
ReplyDeleteI discovered one in Romania the other day! North of the Neteda Pass in Maramures - it looked very uphill but the car (whoops) rolled along very merrily.
ReplyDeleteI went to school in Ayr and we used to ride that road regularly. Generally we'd take the inland route south then the coast road back to Ayr. There is a prevailing south westerly.
ReplyDeleteWow Scotland! I just finished editing an video of our tour last smmer of the west coast.
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Thanks for sharing your valuable experience. Seem you have enjoyed your trip.
ReplyDeleteThe "Electric Brae" is commonly associated with an optical illusion, but I have discovered that there are FOUR volcanic plugs in a line with this weird road. Slemish in N. Ireland, Ailsa Craig off the coast, Edinburgh Castle and Calton Hill. What is significant is that the last two plugs are about 400 yards wide, the same width, roughly, as the length of the "Electric brae". Volcanic plugs emit energies like the spokes of a bicycle wheel, and where they cross, is the place our ancestors placed their ancient burial grounds. Scientists are going to have to take another look at this now!http://www.ley-man.space/page31.html
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