You may have noticed that Hampstead and Highgate are quite hilly - Highgate is 136 metres above sea level and Swain’s Lane even has its own hilly bike race- the London Cycling Campaign’s annual Urban Hill Climb.

But it’s not just young whippersnappers who are taking to these formidable hills on bikes these days. As e-bikes become ever more popular, these steep slopes - which can reach a 20% gradient - have become accessible to whole new groups of pedallers.

At 88, Jean Dollimore has found her e-bike to be a game-changer. She bought one six years ago and uses it to visit friends and family all around Muswell Hill and Highgate.

She told me that the last time she cycled up to Highgate on an e-bike, “it seemed ridiculously easy, even on the hills".

She added: "It was as if I was using a different mode of transport. Even 20 years ago I found it hard to make those hills with a normal bike."

Ham & High: Carla Francome enjoys cycling the hills of Hampstead and HighgateCarla Francome enjoys cycling the hills of Hampstead and Highgate (Image: Carla Francome)

Another local, Angela Hobsbaum, 78, converted to an e-bike last year. It means she can make it up Highgate West Hill no problem.

“Being able to cycle everywhere locally is such a boon” she tells me.

“Getting to the garden centre and back with full panniers (I'm a sucker for stuff that's almost too heavy) is so helpful. I occasionally overtake younger women and feel a little bit smug."

She says she loves the feeling of self-sufficiency that cycling gives her: “At 78, keeping my independence is something I truly value."

As for me - I regularly go for an evening cycle with 62-year-old Tessa, who like me is on a regular bike for the time being. Tessa sees taking the hills as a big part of keeping her healthy, so she encourages us to seek them out. She’s even coined the phrase “hills not pills”.

Being 20 years her junior and fairly fit, I assumed I would be able to keep up. I was sorely mistaken. Our hilly route involved me gasping for breath a good 10 feet behind her at all times.

“How do you do the hills so fast?” I managed to ask, at the top of Ally Pally. “I personify the hill”, she told me. “I see it like a person. I say to it - you’re not going to beat me.” And she’s right - it doesn’t!

So keep an eye out for people of all ages gliding by next time you’re on one of these local slopes. And perhaps we need a super-veteran category at the LCC’s Urban Hill Climb this year?

Carla Francome is an active travel campaigner and member of Camden Cyclists.