Buxton CC hill climb 2015

Today was first hill climb of the year – Buxton CC hill climb on Long Hill. Actually it was the second hill climb of the year. I’ve already done one in May on truncated version of Shap Fell, where I averaged a rather incredulous 25mph for a hill climb.

Long Hill is another of these long and gradual ascents. Get a tailwind and it makes it relatively fast. It makes something of a gentle transition from the time trial season to the more brutal 11% 4 minute climbs which will soon be coming thick and fast.

After weeks of patchy rain, conditions were relatively benign. Mild, dry and a gentle tailwind – as good as you can get for hill climb season. There was a good turnout with 67 riders on the start sheet.

I was able to warm-up on Long Hill before the race started, but then at top my garmin mount broke so I stuffed it down jersey for the rest of the day.

After waiting all season for new Bio racer TT skin suit. It finally arrived – just as TT season was ending. Whilst in New York, I got a speed pocket retro fitted from NoPinz. I also got some No Pinz trip socks into the bargain. This is the stuff I’ve been wanting to use all TT season. So it was ironic I finally get it for the hill climb season. Aerodynamics though are relatively important for a climb like Long Hill, so I defied the fashion police of hill climbs and donned a monkey skin suit, and some go faster trip socks. If you are a devotee of old fashioned style and class in the sartorial department – all I can say is look away now (when I get a picture)

I’m hopeful the Tripsocks make you quicker for the fast TT on the A50 and the like. But, I don’t think I’ll need to use on any more hill climbs. From now, I’ll save for next season’s time trials.

Anyway it still felt good to be as aerodynamic as possible. I’ve been racing up Long Hill for the past six years, and every year try some different equipment. This year I was on TT bike, disc-wheel, Zipp 404. Save putting on draft box fairing system – it was 100% at the aero end of spectrum rather than low weight spectrum.

After a good warm up and down the hill, there was a bit of a drama getting my number in into the NoPinz pocket. My efforts was a bit mangled and it was not flush but wrinkly. Big thanks to Lou Clark of Buxton CC, who went above and beyond the call of duty to fix the said number and make it look like it should.

The race went quite well, a fairly good measured effort, though I haven’t seen any statistics yet. Towards the top, the tailwind picked up a little, giving a little boost towards the line.

I finished in 12.26 – about 10 seconds slower than last year, and exactly the same time when I first raced in 2010 on a road bike. Dan Evans, looking  good in National champs jersey took the win in 12.20. Adam Kenway, 3rd in last years national, made up the podium –  though he did take virtual fastest road bike prize. Fastest junior and fourth overall was Kieron Savage. Dame Sarah Storey was fastest women with a very quick mid 14. If my memory is correct Miss Claire Munton was 2nd lady. Buxton CC were once again team winners. I’ll try get results later.

So first hill climb done, already Jackson Bridge is looming on the horizon.

Previous results on Long Hill

• 2010 – 12.26 – 1st – (strong tailwind – road bike, no tribars) Blog 2010 | Results 2010
• 2011 – 13.49 – 1st (headwind – road bike, tribars) blog 2011
• 2011 – Nat HC – 13.02 – 5th (headwind – road bike, tribars) Blog Nat Champs
• 2012 – 13.35 – 1st (TT bike) Results 2012
• 2013 – 13.13 – 1st (TT Bike) (blog cyclinginfo)
• 2014 – 12.16 – 1st (TT bike, and discwheel
• 2015 – 12.26 – 2nd (TT bike and dischweel

Previous results

Results 2015