Box Hill is one of Britain’s most iconic climbs. The statistics don’t look particularly impressive – 2.5 km with an average gradient of 5%, for a mere 129m height gain. If Box hill was located in the foothills of the Pyrenees, it would barely mention a footnote. But, given it’s accessibility and closeness to London, it has become a popular test for every type of cyclist from the Olympic road race to beginner sportive riders. It is a challenging climb, but also manageable enough for just about everyone to ‘enjoy’ going up Box hill – even if you’re on a Brompton foldup.
It also offers great views of the surrounding countryside. Box hill is also known as ‘Zig Zag’ hill for the couple of hairpins which really give it an Alpine feel – just for a short time whilst climbing Box Hill, you can imagine yourself away from London and cycling up a ‘proper’ climb.
Box Hill – Sum of Marc
The Olympic road race was a once in a lifetime event, but fortunately it has left a lasting legacy. The Prudential London-Surrey Classic is becoming an important road race and it includes Box hill amongst other climbs. In 2014, Adam Blythe won a thrilling race. Also, the Olympics has made the climb even more popular, featuring in innumerable sportives and becoming one of the most popular Strava segments in Europe.
I visited Box Hill just before the Olympic road race in July 2012. It was a couple of days before the Olympic road race and I thoroughly enjoyed going up Box Hill 9 times. I’ve never been back, even though it is tempting.
I received a loan of a Trek Emonda SLR 9 for the last week of the hill climb season, where I finished 4th in national hill climb on Pea Royd Lane.
For 2015 I bought a Trek Emonda SLR, and used all year. Photos of that Trek Emonda are here
It’s a good bike.
2014 Emonda
For the national championship I customised the Trek Emonda to get the weight down from 6.4kg to 5.1kg. Details of the hill climb bike are below. This is a general review of the Trek Emonda.
The Emonda is designed for those most interested in climbing. The frame is based on the OCLV series carbon used in the Madone series – which has been Trek’s flagship model for quite a few year. For the Emonda, Trek have sought to reduce weight wherever possible, whilst retaining the strength and rigidity of the frame.
One possible drawback of the Trek range is that there are now basically three different models The Emonda for low weight, the Madone for aerodynamics and the Domane for comfort (i.e Sportives). It may leave you thinking – well, I’d actually like one which combines all three benefits. Unless you’re sponsored by a pro UCI team, you can’t have the luxury of more than one bike. But, the differences between the three bikes are not huge. It’s not as if the Madone is heavy or the Emonda has poor aerodynamics. But, it is another choice you’ll have to make. For many road riders, choosing between a Madone and Emonda will be a hard choice – especially if you ride in UCI events and you’re waiting to see if the UCI reduce the 6.7kg weight limit. The Emonda will really come into it’s own if the UCI reduce the low weight limit below 6.0kg. Until then you’re probably better off with a Madone, where better aerodynamics will make a bigger difference to improvement and speed.Fortunately, for myself, it is a no brainer to pick the Emonda as my new bike. I’m a hill climb specialist and self-confessed weight-weenie. It’s all about knocking off grams. If you want the lightest bike, the Emonda OCLV 700 series frame is the ideal starting point. It has the lowest weight of any production bike. (690grams for 56cm model)
Emonda Range
The top of the range Emonda is the SLR 10. This is a real show-off bike, with ridiculously light and expensive components (like a Tune saddle, Tune wheelset, SRAM RED 22 gruppo and Bontrager Speed Stop brakes. It means that the complete bike, comes in at a fantastically ridiculous weight of 4.6kg. It is also absurdly expensive at £11,000. But, is undoubtedly a smart bit of marketing by Trek- weight is very easy to measure variable – much easier than aerodynamics and strength. The eye catching low weight is excellent to mention in marketing, giving a glean to the whole Emonda range.
However, if you don’t fancy spending £11,000 on the new Emonda SLR 10. There are 17 other models to choose from. Starting at the Emonda S4 for £1,200 going up in increments of quality, lightness and price. You pay your money and you get a lighter bike.For example the Emonda SLR 6 is £4,300 which uses the same 700 series frame as the SLR 10, but has cheaper components such as Shimano Ultegra groupset. The whole bike still comes in at below the UCI limit of 6.6kg, with potential to reduce weight later. This is certainly a good starting point for a more affordable light weight bike.
Project One
Another advantage of the Emonda is that you can pick and choose combinations through Project One – if you already have light wheels you can save money there, and keep the cost down.
What’s it like to ride?
Firstly, the lightness is noticeable. On the smooth surface of Pea Royd Lane, it had fantastic acceleration.I’m used to riding the Madone (2010 model) which is no heavyweight, but the Emonda was a noticeable improvement. For me, that is a big plus.
The lower weight has not been sacrificed for any loss of strength and rigidity. Using a simple stress test, it’s hard to notice any lateral movement. Of course, rigidity is harder to measure than weight. But so far, I can Trek’s word for it that it is as strong.
Value for money
Bikes seem to be be getting more expensive as manufacturers find better ways to get us to part with cash. Still the Trek Emonda is reasonably priced compared to similar models.
Is it the right bike for you?
Certainly there is a great attraction in getting a super-light bike, it definitely makes it easier in the hills. But, bear in mind 0.5kg / 1kg weight saving is not that much, if you’re carrying around 20kg of surplus insulation. Also, bear in mind that aerodynamics can make a bigger difference to your speed. When doing flattish time trials – you learn it’s all about aerodynamics, weight doesn’t really come into it. Aerodynamics is harder to measure than a simple 4.6kg weight value, but in a solo attack, the Madone will be a better choice.
In my case, the Emonda is top of my wish list. It ticks all the boxes in what I need from a bike. I definitely want to get one, the problem is that it’s already been an expensive year with a new TT bike. After the national hill climb, my comment was that the Emonda is irritatingly good. Alas, there’s always a new bike to buy!
Trek Emonda Hill climb bike
Hill climb bike in action
Firstly, thanks to Beeline bikes Oxford for helping me get loan of bike and setting it up.
I have been riding a Trek Madone (at 2013 hill climb champs, it weighed about 6.0kg). But, with the new Emonda coming out this summer, I wanted to try and get the new specialist climbing bike for the upcoming national championship.
I started racing back in early March. Banbury Star hard-riders if I remember correctly. Since March it’s been a pretty steady stream of races from 10 mile TT, to 100 miles and finally the icing on the cake – the hill climb season.
Chinnor hill in autumn
The day after the national championship would be a good chance to take a well earned rest. But when it’s 16 degrees and sunny in Autumn, you feel like taking your chance and riding the bike – there won’t be too many days like this, before the clocks go back.
Without really thinking, I ended up the Chilterns, the well known routes of intense hill efforts for the past 8 weeks. I couldn’t resist having a little dig on Kop hill. Old habits die hard. When I see a hill going up, I almost go on autopilot and start a good effort.
But, at the same time, the heart is not in it. Why kill yourself when there’s nothing to be gained? It was an interesting experience to do a half-hearted interval. You do really have to be super-motivated to do good quality intervals – there’s no point dilly dallying in a half way house. With the last interval of the year fading into indifference, it was time to switch mode and remember what it’s like to ride the bike for fun.
It’s great to have the freedom of cycling for three hours without worrying about form, freshness and an upcoming race. The past two months seem to have been either a slow steady recovery ride (averaging a painfully slow 14mph) or accelerating up hills with close to maximum intensity. There hasn’t been very much in between. The last time I rode at threshold or ‘sweatspot’ was a long time ago. I’m not complaining, I love the hill climb season more than anything. But even the most ardent hill climber knows you can have too much of a good thing…
Everything has it’s season and the next three months will be about getting the miles in – as long as the weather isn’t too awful and I haven’t got something better to do. Winter is a good time to prioritise things other than cycling (like earning some money to pay for all the bikes you bought last year, and need to buy this year). I will be making a few foreign trips, with or without the bike.
In fact, this week is a stark reminder of how much discipline I put into training in the past few weeks.
The 2014 national hill climb championships was held on the closed roads of Pea Royd Lane. – ably promoted by Stocksbridge CC. Like 2009, there was a strong tailwind, and this year there was also a very nice smooth, recently resurfaced, road surface. As the organiser, Stewart Smith said – perhaps the only road in the Sheffield area to be resurfaced – so we were treated very well. A bit of Tour de France fever still lingered over into this late October event. I think the crowd was quite a bit more than 2009. – There was certainly a great wall of noise up the last half of the climb.
Photo Dan Monaghan. The last section of Pea Royd Lane.
I finished in 4th place, in 3.32. Dan Evans (Team Elite) was a deserved winner in a storming time of 3.24, Matt Clinton (Mike Vaughan Cycles) once again raised his game for the national to take second in 3.26, and Adam Kenway (Team Zenith/Buzz Cycles) got onto the podium with a 3.28. In the women’s event, Markya Sennema (Kingston Wheelers CC) (4.35) retained her title (also giving great hope and inspiration to those of us approaching the better side of 40). 2nd was Lou Collins (Beeston RC) (4.42.1) and third, former champion Lyn Hamel (Trainsharp RT) (4.42.6)
Photo Russell Ellis – Markya Senema
Also pretty impressive ride from hill climb stalwart Chris Myhill Peak RC – 3:51.1 – 18th place at 48 . Pete Tadros was top vet in 3.49. 17 Harry Luxton RuTrainingToday time of 03:40.6 – 9th place overall and 1st junior was also another impressive ride.
2014 hill climb season
It has been a great standard of hill climbs this year. Even setting a course record hasn’t always been enough to get a first place. Like Mow Cop, where M.Clinton held a course record for 1.8 minutes, and Horseshoe pass where I went faster than a CR (previously held by Dangerfield, Boardman and Dobbin) only to find Dan Evans had gone 10 seconds quicker in 8.52. It’s also great to see entries for hill climbs on the rise. The organiser received nearly 280 applications for 180 places – making a difficult start sheet to devise. When did hill climbs become so popular?
As reigning national champion, it’s been a great year and I’ve enjoyed riding the national jersey at events up and down the country. Since May, I’ve done 16 hill climbs, which is quite a lot! I’ve won 13 opens and set 7 course records – not a bad record. But, it’s the national hill climb championship which is the big draw. Once you’ve won it once, you would like very much to get back on top.
2014 Race
Last night I had a vivid dream that I finished 4th in the national hill climb championship. Although I tried my best to forget, what proved to be an irritatingly prescient dream, I didn’t have the same hope as last year – when I was virtually unbeaten in the lead up to the championship on the Stang.
Note socks – only 29 grams, thanks to Sam Clark (Buxton CC) Photo: Vilas Silverton
I got there early to get a good parking spot and was ably assisted by Sri Chinmoy CT team mate Vilas Silverton in getting ready and warming up. A couple of friends also came up all the way from London to see what hill climbs are all about. They enjoyed it so much they’ve promised to enter a hill climb next year. I shall hold them to their word…
Before the race, I also caught up with old OUCC teammate – and five times national champion Jim Henderson – my family also had come out to watch.
I had a good warm-up and felt much better after riding the bike – (much better than waiting around waiting for event to start). I felt good on the start line and made a steady start and tried to lift the pace all the way up. It was much faster than in training and it all seemed to go in a blur. I don’t remember thinking about anything, I was just really in the flow.
Photo: Russell Ellis (Flickr)
There was a lot of noise and enthusiastic encouragement. It all seemed to be over pretty quick. The tailwind finish was different to when I’d done it in training.
Sitting at the top of Pea Royd Lane. Photo Dan Monaghan.
I sat in the grass at the top for a bit as people took some photos as I lay in the grass. I felt strangely relieved and happy to have finished my 10th national hill climb and another 4th place. Next year is Jackson Bridge and I’ll be looking forward to that. But, I might just have a piece of cake before I go out and get the winter miles in.
Also, thanks a lot to Gordon Wright who has kindly been giving me some expert coaching over the past two months. I don’t think I could have come into the championship any better prepared than I was.
The Trek Emonda was irritatingly good. I say irritatingly good because I really want to get one now, but am still paying off the loan for the last bike…
Note: this is just a personal blog, not a comprehensive report. I will try upload more photos later.
Video of 2014 event
Photos
First rider off.
Rider One – 1 down, 179 to go. I took a photo of first rider, and then went off to get ready. I wasn’t really in photography mode.
Two National champions. Jim Henderson finished 3rd in 2009 – bringing his hill climb career to an end after five national titles. (He still managed the Rake in 2.33 in 2014 – not a bad time for retirement!)
Who says hill climbs need to be a serious affair?
Showing off my 100 Climbs cap
2014 Results
1 Dan Evans Team Elite/Paul Bethall Electrical 03:24.2
2 Matt Clinton Mike Vaughan Cycles 03:26.5
3 Adam Kenway Team Zenith-www.buzzcycles.co.uk 03:28.1
4 Tejvan Pettinger Sri Chinmoy Cycling Team 03:32.1
5 Joseph Clark Team Zenith-www.buzzcycles.co.uk 03:35.3
6 Edmund Bradbury Cambridge University RT 03:36.5
7 James Lowden Lewes Wanderers CC 03:37.5
8 Lee Baldwin Champion System/ClubRoost/Maxgear 03:40.0
9 Harry Luxton RuTrainingToday CC 03:40.6 J
10 Stuart Marshall Team Zenith-www.buzzcycles.co.uk 03:41.1
11 Henry King Ilkley CC 03:42.3
12 Josh Teasdale In-Gear Quickvit Trainsharp RT 03:44.0
13 Daniel Sullivan Norwood Paragon CC 03:45.6
14 William Bourne University of Bristol CC 03:47.2
15 Nick Spencer Blumilk.com 03:48.7
16 Peter Tadros In-Gear Quickvit Trainsharp RT 03:49.2 A
17 Glyndwr Griffiths Arctic Tacx RT 03:50.6
18 Chris Myhill Peak RC 03:51.1 B
19 Joe Norledge Procycling Magazine RT 03:51.4
20 Chris Dyke Manchester Wheelers Club 03:51.8
21 Charles Coleman Felt Colbournes Hargroves RT 03:52.4
22 Jack Pullar Starley Primal Pro Cycling 03:53.9
23 Callum Stewart Sheffrec CC 03:54.0
24 Michael Openshaw Cestria CC 03:54.2 A
25 Jack O’Neil Mike Vaughan Cycles 03:54.4
26 Ben Nichol Amersham Road CC 03:55.0
27 Felix Barker Cambridge University RT 03:55.0
28 Julian Varley PH-MAS Cycling 03:56.0 J
29 Sam Clark Buxton CC/Sett Valley Cycles 03:56.3
30 Tony Kiss Performance Cycles CC 03:56.8
31 Danny Axford Arctic Tacx RT 03:57.0
32 Michael Broadwith Arctic Tacx RT 03:57.2
33 Jonathan Morris Derby Mercury RC 03:57.5
34 Ashley Proctor Bike Box Allan/Whiston Velo 03:57.9
35 Paul Roby Coveryourcar.co.uk RT 03:58.7 A
36 Mike Humphreys Bury Clarion CC 03:58.9
37 Will Corden Lyme Racing Club 03:58.9
38 Adam Hartley Velocity WD-40 03:59.8 J
39 David Powell Horwich CC 03:59.9
40 Joshua Haasz VCL – SCU 04:00.0 J
41 Ben Lowe Nonnad La Squadra 04:01.1 A
42 Daniel Featherstone Bolsover & District CC 04:01.6
43 Matthew Cartlidge Stone Wheelers CC 04:02.1
44 David Roper Ride 24/7 04:02.3
45 Luke Mullen Infinity Cycles-Cube Store CT 04:02.7
46 Adrian Lawson Cadence RT 04:02.8 A
47 Robert Borek Bristol South CC 04:02.8
48 William Adams Velosport RT 04:03.4
49 Chris Baines Buxton CC/Sett Valley Cycles 04:03.6
50 Peter Medhurst Bikeshed UEx 04:03.8
51 John Findley Bill Nickson Cycles RT 04:04.9
52 Ewan Tuohy Banks/Catford CC Equipe 04:05.4
53 Benjamin Butler Bangor University CC 04:06.3
54 Nicholas Latimer Rutland CC 04:06.3
55 Ryan Kenworthy LeisureLakesBikes.com 04:07.4 J
56 Harrison Jones NFTO Race 04:09.5 J
57 Tim Wilcock Tyneside Vagabonds CC 04:10.2
58 Adam Machan Sheffrec CC 04:10.2
59 Archie Cross PH-MAS Cycling 04:10.5
60 Eugene Cross Clifton C.C. York 04:10.6 J
61 Adam Wild Tyneside Vagabonds CC 04:12.2 J
62 Robert Gough Arctic Tacx RT 04:13.7
63 Max Spedding PH-MAS Cycling 04:13.8 J
64 Nick Despres Guernsey Velo Club 04:14.5 C
65 Jonathan Wears Team Jewson-MI Racing 04:14.6
66 Alex Copp Lyme Racing Club 04:14.8 J
67 Matthew Cosgrove SportCity Velo 04:14.9 J
68 James Ward Cambridge CC 04:15.7 A
69 Simon Warren Norwood Paragon CC 04:15.8 A
70 Chris Smith Condor RC (Calderdale) 04:16.1
71 David Watson Coventry RC 04:17.2 B
72 James Coleman Velo Club Walcot 04:17.2
73 Henry Cash Holme Valley Wheelers 04:17.7 J
74 Kevin Thomas Chippenham & Dist. Whs. 04:17.9
75 Mark Nulty Manchester Wheelers Club 04:19.1
76 Andrew Pearson Huddersfield Star Wheelers 04:21.4 A
77 Ben Lane GS Metro 04:22.4 A
78 Paul Armstrong Sheffrec CC 04:23.2
79 Richard Taylor Harry Middleton CC 04:23.3
80 Stuart Baker Buxton CC/Sett Valley Cycles 04:23.4
81 Graham Payne Preston CC 04:24.0 C
82 Liam O’Toole Sheffrec CC 04:24.3
83 John Sanderson Manchester Wheelers Club 04:24.4 A
84 George Goodwin Mike Vaughan Cycles 04:24.6 J
85 Paul Newton Derby Mercury RC 04:26.1
86 Anthony Bromley Barnsley RC 04:26.9
87 Theo Jefferies Westmead Team 88 04:27.0 J
88 Michael Askew Albarosa CC 04:27.6
89 Richard Lilleker Cleveland Wheelers CC 04:27.6
90 Thomas Hanlon Harry Middleton CC 04:28.8
91 Matt Blythe Newport (Shropshire) CC 04:30.1 A
92 David Trotter Lancaster CC 04:31.2
93 Joe Swinnerton Lyme Racing Club 04:31.8 J
94 Maryka Sennema Kingston Wheelers CC 04:35.3 W A
95 Dan Charlton Hetton Hawks 04:35.8 J
96 Andrew Askwith Bridlington CC 04:36.2 C
97 Joshua Hodgson Newcastle Cheviot CC 04:36.6
98 Samuel Walley East Lancashire RC 04:37.1 J
99 Neil Bentley Sheffrec CC 04:37.3 B
100 Dave Starkey Mammoth Lifestyle RT 04:38.5
101 Nick Decker Congleton CC 04:38.6
102 Russ Thompson Performance Cycles CC 04:38.9 A
103 Zack Williamson Clay Cross RT 04:39.9
104 Lewis Hartley Velocity WD-40 04:41.2 J
105 Lou Collins Beeston RC 04:42.1 W
106 Steve Gordon Sunderland Clarion 04:42.1 A
107 Joe Varga City RC(Hull) 04:42.4 J
108 Will Boyes Team Cystic Fibrosis 04:42.4 A
109 Lynn Hamel Trainsharp RT 04:42.6 W
110 Carl Saint Yorkshire Road Club 04:42.6 B
111 Kieran Simcox Bike Box Allan/Whiston Velo 04:43.8 J
112 Nicola Soden gbcycles.co.uk 04:43.9 W
113 Thomas Cornwell SportCity Velo 04:44.3 J
114 Benjamin Last Clay Cross RT 04:46.0
115 Paul Kippax Rutland CC 04:46.7 A
116 David Murphy Liverpool Mercury/Dolan CC 04:48.3 J
117 Aaron Tonks Ribble Valley CRC 04:48.5 A
118 Josephine Gilbert VC ST Raphael 04:48.6 W
119 Hayley Simmonds Velosport-Pasta Montegrappa 04:49.8 W
120 Mason Hollyman Kirklees Cycling Academy 04:50.0 J
121 Paul Bailey Manchester Wheelers Club 04:52.0
122 Tom Cullen Otley CC 04:53.5 J
123 Thomas Booth Stocksbridge CC 04:54.6 J
124 Alice Lethbridge Kingston Wheelers CC 04:55.8 W
125 Raymond Robinson Houghton CC 04:56.5 A
126 Elliot Dason-Barker Oxonian CC 04:56.8 A
127 Alex Trippier East Lancashire RC 05:00.6 J
128 Angela Hibbs Tyneside Vagabonds CC 05:00.7 W
129 Helen Eborall Born To Bike-Bridgtown Cycles 05:01.3 W
130 Bernard Swinnerton Lyme Racing Club 05:02.4 C
131 Annasley Park RST Racing Team 05:02.5 WJ
132 Halley Woods SportCity Velo 05:04.7 J
133 Ian Shapiro Heanor Clarion CC 05:06.1
134 Natasha Cutmore RST Sport/Aero Coach 05:08.4 W
135 Cameron Turner Darlington CC 05:09.1 B
136 Leanne Farrow Ilkley CC 05:09.6 W
137 Vicky Clark Albarosa CC 05:10.6 W
138 Heather Despres Guernsey Velo Club 05:16.1 WJ
139 Heidi Viles Exeter Wheelers CC 05:16.2 W
140 Alice Cobb Shutt Velo Rapide 05:18.7 W
141 Dougi Hall Border City Wheelers CC 05:20.5 C
142 Patrick Smart Matlock CC 05:20.7
143 Ayse Vahiboglu Exeter Wheelers CC 05:21.4 W
144 Fiona Prew Stone Wheelers CC 05:23.9 W
145 Ingrid Shephers Sunderland Clarion 05:24.6 W B
146 Henrietta Colborne Beacon Wheelers 05:24.8 WJ
147 Sandra Mackay gbcycles.co.uk 05:25.7 W B
148 Ralph Keeler Cambridge CC 05:26.2 E
149 Robbie Pollard Otley CC 05:26.5 J
150 Jamie Dene Welwyn Wheelers 05:29.6 J
151 Henry Hollyman Kirklees Cycling Academy 05:29.8 J
152 Ivan Paul Ashley Touring CC 05:32.0 J
153 Alex Deck Langsett Cycles RT 05:33.2 W B
154 Jayne Dickens Stone Wheelers CC 05:35.6 W B
155 Iona Sewell gbcycles.co.uk 05:36.4 W
156 Caroline Freeman GS Metro 05:38.2 W
157 Paul Ashcroft Lancashire RC 05:39.7
158 Jonathan Starbuck RAF CA 05:42.4
159 Martin Rigby Mansfield RC 05:42.6 A
160 Ian Hutchinson Cleveland Wheelers CC 05:42.9 D
161 Wiebke Rietz 1st Chard Wheelers 05:46.3 W B
162 Huw Parry Clwb Rasio Mona 05:46.7 F
163 Rich Stoodley Tickhill Velo Club 05:57.1 C
164 Louise Scupham Scarborough Paragon CC 06:01.7 WJ
165 Noah Codling East Lancashire RC 06:04.7 J
166 Jennifer McAndrew Witham Wheelers 06:05.4 WJ
167 Anna Anderson Albarosa CC 06:11.0 W
168 Paul Heggie Birdwell Wheelers 06:15.9 E
169 Natalie Hodson PH-MAS Cycling 06:23.6 W
170 Eve Lyon Nutcracker Racing 06:34.1 WJ
171 Alexander Wiseman East Lancashire RC 06:42.4 J
172 Dave Francis Sid Valley CC 06:49.8 F
173 Nicola Greenwood Holmfirth CC 06:53.0 WJ
174 Isla Aimee Rush Wyndymilla 07:20.3 WJ
175 Richard Thorpe Bolsover & District CC 07:47.6 A
176 Jonathan Harris GS Avanti 09:24.9
Women
1. Maryka Sennema Kingston Wheelers CC 04:35.3
2. Lou Collins Beeston RC 04:42.1
3. Lynn Hamel Trainsharp RT 04:42.6
4. Nicola Soden gbcycles.co.uk 04:43.9
5. Josephine Gilbert VC ST Raphael 04:48.6
6. Hayley Simmonds Velosport-Pasta Montegrappa 04:49.8
7. Alice Lethbridge Kingston Wheelers CC 04:55.8
8. Angela Hibbs Tyneside Vagabonds CC 05:00.7
9. Helen Eborall Born To Bike-Bridgtown Cycles 05:01.3
10. Natasha Cutmore RST Sport/Aero Coach 05:08.4
11. Leanne Farrow Ilkley CC 05:09.6
12. Vicky Clark Albarosa CC 05:10.6
13. Heidi Viles Exeter Wheelers CC 05:16.2
14. Alice Cobb Shutt Velo Rapide 05:18.7
15. Ayse Vahiboglu Exeter Wheelers CC 05:21.4
16. Fiona Prew Stone Wheelers CC 05:23.9
17. Ingrid Shephers Sunderland Clarion 05:24.6
18. Sandra Mackay gbcycles.co.uk 05:25.7
19. Alex Deck Langsett Cycles RT 05:33.2
20. Jayne Dickens Stone Wheelers CC 05:35.6
21. Iona Sewell gbcycles.co.uk 05:36.4
22. Caroline Freeman GS Metro 05:38.2
23. Wiebke Rietz 1st Chard Wheelers 05:46.3
24. Anna Anderson Albarosa CC 06:11.0
25. Natalie Hodson PH-MAS Cycling 06:23.6
Junior women
1. Annasley Park RST Racing Team 05:02.5
2. Heather Despres Guernsey Velo Club 05:16.1
3. Henrietta Colborne Beacon Wheelers 05:24.8
4. Louise Scupham Scarborough Paragon CC 06:01.7
5. Jennifer McAndrew Witham Wheelers 06:05.4
6. Eve Lyon Nutcracker Racing 06:34.1
7. Nicola Greenwood Holmfirth CC 06:53.0
8. Isla Aimee Rush Wyndymilla 07:20.3
Junior Men
1. Harry Luxton RuTrainingToday CC 03:40.6
2. Julian Varley PH-MAS Cycling 03:56.0
3. Adam Hartley Velocity WD-40 03:59.8
4. Joshua Haasz VCL – SCU 04:00.0
5. Ryan Kenworthy LeisureLakesBikes.com 04:07.4
6. Harrison Jones NFTO Race 04:09.5
7. Eugene Cross Clifton C.C. York 04:10.6
8. Adam Wild Tyneside Vagabonds CC 04:12.2
9. Max Spedding PH-MAS Cycling 04:13.8
10. Alex Copp Lyme Racing Club 04:14.8
11. Matthew Cosgrove SportCity Velo 04:14.9
12. Henry Cash Holme Valley Wheelers 04:17.7
13. George Goodwin Mike Vaughan Cycles 04:24.6
14. Theo Jefferies Westmead Team 88 04:27.0
15. Joe Swinnerton Lyme Racing Club 04:31.8
16. Dan Charlton Hetton Hawks 04:35.8
17. Samuel Walley East Lancashire RC 04:37.1
18. Lewis Hartley Velocity WD-40 04:41.2
19. Joe Varga City RC(Hull) 04:42.4
20. Kieran Simcox Bike Box Allan/Whiston Velo 04:43.8
21. Thomas Cornwell SportCity Velo 04:44.3
22. David Murphy Liverpool Mercury/Dolan CC 04:48.3
23. Mason Hollyman Kirklees Cycling Academy 04:50.0
24. Tom Cullen Otley CC 04:53.5
25. Thomas Booth Stocksbridge CC 04:54.6
26. Alex Trippier East Lancashire RC 05:00.6
27. Halley Woods SportCity Velo 05:04.7
28. Robbie Pollard Otley CC 05:26.5
29. Jamie Dene Welwyn Wheelers 05:29.6
30. Henry Hollyman Kirklees Cycling Academy 05:29.8
31. Ivan Paul Ashley Touring CC 05:32.0
32. Noah Codling East Lancashire RC 06:04.7
33. Alexander Wiseman East Lancashire RC 06:42.4
Cheddar Gorge is an interesting climb through the beautiful limestone gorge of Cheddar, Somerset. Climbing gently out of the village of Cheddar, the road starts to snake upwards at a gradient of up to 16% round some twisty corners. It is a tough start to the climb, but the remaining couple of km are a much gentler gradient, allowing you the opportunity to take it at your own pace as you climb away from the gorge and onto to the top of the moor.
Cheddar Gorge full hill
Location: Cheddar, Mendip hills, Somerset, South West.
Cheddar Gorge understandably features in many local cyclo-sportives and is a popular destination for many cyclists. It is also popular with tourists and rock climbers. The road can be busy – especially as you leave the village of Cheddar – so be prepared to be patient until you clear the car parks on the lower slopes of the climb.
It also makes a great twisting descent. But, be careful not to get carried away as near the bottom, you can really pick up speed on the sharp corners.
Cheddar Gorge is nestled within the Mendips in Somerset. There are plenty of other good hills and roads around here. It is just a few miles from Burrington Combe – another popular gorge and a similar climb.
The road is steepest at the bottom after leaving the car parks
I rode Cheddar Gorge in October, 2014 after racing Burrington Combe hill climb. There was a helpful S.E. tailwind making the climb relatively enjoyable. It would be a different proposition with an easterly climb. The wind seems to get funnelled down the gorge – making it strong in either direction.
2007 National Hill Climb Championship
In 2007, the national hill climb championship was organised on Cheddar Gorge. Somehow they managed to get the road closed and it made a great venue for the hill climb. A steep section and a long drag – a bit for everyone. James Dobbin won his second national hill climb championship in a time of 6-51.5. 2nd place was David Clarke (Blue Sky Cycles) Matt Clinton 7.08, (Mike Vaughan Cycles) was third. I was 6 seconds off the podium with 7.14
Sunday was the penultimate hill climb and race of 2014. Organised by Bristol South CC, it was a 2 mile hill climb up Burrington Combe.
Burrington Combe was one of the first open hill climbs I ever did – way back in 2004, I did a time of 7.12 in my first season – 2nd to Danny Axford; and perhaps was something that encouraged me to take hill climbs a bit more keenly.
Since 2004, I’ve been back several times, and always enjoy the climb. It’s a pretty good view and nice part of the country. In recent years, there’s been an explosion of interest, with the event attracting nearly a full field. Credit to Bristol South and the other local clubs for encouraging people to take part. The WTTA have put on a good season long hill climb competition, which seems to encourage more entries.
Burrington Combe HC course
Length 2.2 miles
Average gradient: 6%
Max gradient: 10%
Height Gain 183m
CR: T.Pettinger 6.51 (2011)
Women’s CR: Anna Fischer did 9.04 in 2009
My Race
Yesterday, I took delivery of a new bike – a Trek Emonda on loan for the week. A big thanks to Beeline Bicycles for helping to get the bike and get it ready. When it came in the shop, it weighed 6.4kg. But, within 15 minutes, my hill climb weight weenies talent came to the fore and we had it down to 5.5kg, with perhaps a little more to come. It’s sad to look at a bike and immediately work out how you can take 1kg off – but that’s being a hill climber for you. (weight loss on hill climb bike)
It meant no riding with a power meter, but at this stage of the season, it’s not so critical. I’ll do a full review of the bike later, but it rides well, I haven’t noticed a big different to my current Madone yet.
Burrington Combe
Another balmy October day meant warming up in 16 degrees plus, there was also quite a strong wind – which was the subject of a surprisingly large amount of conversation – all the riders seemed to struggle to work out where the wind was coming from. The forecast suggested crosswind. Some claimed a tailwind, others a headwind. It was just one of those days.
I was confident to ride without power meter. I’ve been doing this climb for several years without one. It’s rather nice to ride on feel and not worry about numbers in a way. Anyway I got off to a steady start, but still caught up with my two minute men.
The Burrington Roar
You don’t expect a big crowd on a long 2 mile climb, but just over half way, you go past a car park and there were lots of spectators and riders giving a huge cheer to their fellow riders. It was a lot of noise, and much appreciated – it definitely helped add to the atmosphere. After this section, there is a sharper incline, where I struggled a little to keep it in the big ring. I lost my nice fluid rhythm, but I didn’t want to go down into the inner ring. After the cattlegrid it is just a minute or so to the finish, so you can dig as deep as you can and hope you hold onto the finish. I caught my third minute man just before the finish, and stopped the clock in 6.57 – not a course record, but the 2nd fastest ride and nice to get under the 7 minute barrier.
Ben Davis (BH Solidor) took second, with Joe Norledge (Procycling Magazine) third. Julie Marazzi (Somer Valley CC) was the quickest woman up the climb.
Going back down the hill I continued to try and work out whether it was a fast day or not. I think the consensus was that it was a little helpful, but not a block tailwind.
I stopped in the Burrington Combe cafe and talked to quite a few of the locals. Some will be going up to Pea Royd Lane next week, others are wisely calling it the end to their season. A pretty good way to go out either way.
The Rake hill climb is a short and steep ‘classic’ British hill climb through the Lancashire town of Ramsbottom. It has featured in the Tour of Britain and has been the location for three national championships (1999, 2005, 2012) A wide variety of riders have attempted to ride the rake including Chris Boardman, Malcolm Elliott, Graeme Obree, Chris Newton and Michael Hutchinson.
Photo PJ. 2012 National championship
The hill climb course is only 875 meters long. But, though short, it makes up for it in steepness – reaching a maximum gradient of 22%. (1 in 4.8)
I’ve ridden the Rake twice in two national championships – 2005 (11th) and 2012 (12th).
CTT Course Description:
START at lamp post No. 3 outside the public library in Carr Street, Ramsbottom. Proceed via Carr Street, Tanners Street, Rawson’s Rake and The Rake to FINISH at the lamp post opposite Exeter Cottage, Chapel Lane, Holcombe Brook approximately 120 yards before the junction with Helmshore Road.
Length 875 metres (956 yards)
Height gain 98 metres (321 feet)
Average gradient 11%
Max gradient 22%
The climb begins with a gradient of around 10% for the first 300 metres, then there is a false flat for 100 metres until about half way where you turn right onto Rawsons rake and the climb starts to get really steep increasing to 20% with some sections around 22 – 23%. Right at the end there is a short 40 metres of almost flat. The road surface was not great. (though it has been resurfaced in 2012. Very smooth now).
Sunday was the Lyme Racing Club hill climb up Mow Cop. Mow Cop makes a spectacular hill climb as there is a real sting in the tail with a 25% uphill finish. It makes it quite a challenging mental as well as physical test. After coming out of the lower section, you can see the hill looming up above. Deciding how much to leave for the final section is a difficult decision. I fancied going down a gear just before the start of the steep section, but like last year, I was already in the lowest gear. Probably just as well, as the only thing to do is grin and bear it and hope you keep the momentum up that 23% slope. In hill climbs it’s always a difficult balancing act to get the right pacing, but Mow Cop presents a particular challenge.
Great view looking down. You get a different kind of experience cycling up it.
Mow Cop Hill climb stats J9/14
Distance 0.9 miles
Average Gradient: 11.7%
Maximum gradient: 23%
Elevation gain: 170 metres (560 feet)
Last year, there was a persistent drizzle. This year, the weather was much better, though the hill was still wet, providing some minor wheel slip on the steepest sections. On the hill, especially at the top, there were quite a few spectators cheering the riders on. It was good to have a crowd to cheer you on.
In the men, Joe Clarke (Team Zenith www.buzzcycles.co.uk), who is having an excellent season, finished in 3rd with 4.28. Next came M.Clinton (MikeVaughan.co.uk) who shaved o.1 seconds off the old course record from 2013 with a 4.22. The course record lasted just one minute 58 seconds; I managed to squeeze in front with a 4.20, to make another close finish. Like so often, another hill climb decided by a couple of seconds. In the ladies, Nicola Soden (GBcycles.co.uk) was first and Helen Eborall (Born to Bike – Bridgtown Cycles) second.
My race
My memories from last year are quite vague. It’s interesting how you can quickly forget about what it was like to ride a hill climb. When you’re racing, you’re on the limit, but when you reflect afterwards you always think about how you could have gone faster. In particular I had the idea next time not to be intimidated by the steep section but go harder all the way into the last section. This is all wonderful in theory, a bit different in practise.
White Lane is a short 700 yards climb. Mostly 1 in 6, it has an average gradient of 13%.
At the start it isn’t so steep, but gets steeper the further up the climb you go. Perhaps just over 20% at it’s steepest before a slight decrease in gradient before the top.
It is in 100 climbs #16. The climb is situated just to the north of the southern section of the M25 by the village of Titsey.
White Lane has a height gain of just over 79 metres in 0.4 miles.
Perhaps not the most remarkable climb in the country, but it has become well known due to featuring in the annual Bec CC hill Climb. 2014 will be the 59th annual running of the event, which started in 1955. It is usually run on the same day as the Catford CC hill climb – The Catford CC can make a claim to be the oldest race in the world. The Catford CC event first started on Westerham Hill on August 20th 1887. It now takes place on York Lane. If makes a good double hill climb header. Though some of the top riders decide to ride one or the other.
Bec CC Hill Climb
– Pete Tadros riding fixed up White Lane in the wet. Photo Dave Hayward Flickr
The mighty Bristol South. Photo Dave Hayward.Course record breaker – Jack Pullar photo dave-hayward
David Millar to ride Bec CC hill climb in 2014
After 18 years as a professional cyclist, David Millar will be riding his last event in the Bec CC hill climb. Millar has chosen a domestic hill climb as a way to mark the end of a long professional career – a career which has seen both highs and lows, has included four individual stages of the Tour de France and five stages in the Vuelta a Espagne.
David Millar explains his choice of his final race.
“I’m not just going to ride uphill & wave goodbye. I’m going to have a crack at setting a new ‘White Lane’ record in what will be my first ever Hill Climb TT, as well as my last race.. “It’ll be like going full circle on my cycling career”.
Most Brits start in a Cycling Club as I did, so its fitting to end my career at a British Clubs event. I’m really looking forward to it, although ‘Gazza’ my friend, Soigneur & organiser of the event, tells me Hill Climbs are not always that easy & it takes a certain knack to hit the Hill just right! He also tells me they bloody hurt, even though its only a sub 2 minute ride.. Maybe I’ll enjoy it & not retire after all & just ride Hill Climbs!” (Velo UK)
It was another great day of weather at the top of Horseshoe Pass. It’s the second consecutive year, I’ve experienced a dry, still day at the top of Bwlch yr Oernant – I’m sure it’s not always like this on the top of the Welsh hill side.
There was barely a drop of wind in the air, and if there was any, it was a tailwind; a local rider said he’d been riding Horseshoe Pass for 30 years and has never experienced such a still day.
With my national jersey still in the wash from yesterday’s Otley 2 stage, it was just the usual skin suit. I had about 4 pairs of odd gloves, and no matching pairs, but fortunately, it warmed up just enough by 11.00am to ride without gloves. I was glad for later start; at 9.00am it was pretty chilly, by 11.00am it must have been 10 degrees warmer (also glad for extra time in bed…).
With good weather, I thought of James Dobbin’s course record of 9.03; it’s an impressive course record because so many top hill climbers like Chris Boardman and Stuart Dangerfield have ridden the event over the years. Horseshoe pass has also been the venue of the National Hill climb championship in previous years (1971, 1976)
I rode a fairly steady tempo all the way up; the last 500m was the fastest as the gradient eases and you picked up a mild tailwind. I stopped the clock in 9.02. 1 second under and job done. Except, not quite – the only thing was that Dan Evans went even quicker with a superb ride of 8.52, so I had to settle for second place. Dan said he’s lost 4kg compared to last year – which kind of puts shaving 40 grams off your bike into perspective. But, a great course record for the flying Welshman.
3rd place was Liam Holohan, Madison Genesis (9.32), who must be very close to his off-season after a great ride in this year’s very tough Tour of Britain.
After awards ceremony, I went back down the hill and went up Horseshoe pass again, but at a fairly steady pace.
Next week, it will be back to 10%+ gradients with Jackson Bridge and Mow Cop on the menu. A different climb to Horseshoe pass and more similar to Pea Royd Lane. The hill climb season is hotting up as the temperature gets colder.
I took a photo of results board and will upload soon. Thanks to Fibrax Wrexham R.C
