I was looking through my blog for posts of the past two months. It has been all about racing up hills or reviews of light-weight (and expensive) components. A very small niche of a sub branch of racing cycling. (Apologies if you have got bored of blog posts about weighing saddles and racing up steep hills). But, as well as being a racing cyclist, I’m also a commuter and cycle into Oxford every day.
The curious thing is that the more I’ve got into racing, the slower I’ve got on the commute into town. When I didn’t do proper races, I remember racing to and from work. It was all about speed. I think I may even have timed my commute home, and tried to beat my personal bests. – (A timetriallist in the making, if ever there was) But, as I’ve got more into racing, I’ve slowed down when cycling into town. I’ve not sure whether this is me getting older, needing more recovery time or just a different attitude.
I suppose it is a combination of factors, including:
With racing at the weekend, I don’t have any smouldering competitiveness or fresh legs during the week. If you can ride at 30mph on a dual carriageway on a Sunday morning the desire for racing down Cowley road on Monday morning soon dissipates.
Slow recovery rides are good for you. As I mentioned in previous post, I used to do recovery rides at 18mph, now I do them at 14mph. To get a real recovery ride, you need to really go properly slow – either full on hill intervals or proper recovery is the motto today.
Patience is a virtue which is surprisingly enjoyable. In the past, when I got in any mode of transport, it was always a race against time. As a consequence, it was very easy to become frustrated at having to wait, getting held up or crawling along due to congestion. With this mindset of speed, you start to look for short cuts, the quick overtake, the dash through traffic. But, if you change your approach and try to enjoy the journey, it’s less stressful; you don’t feel guilty for standing still waiting for traffic to move. You just wait your turn.
With all the evangelical fervour of a converted sinner. I now get incredibly frustrated when motorists are similar impatient to overtake cyclists in dangerous manoeuvres – you always want to preach to the unconverted to tell them – if they could happily wait for the odd 10 seconds, it really doesn’t have to ruin their day. Take it easy, wait 10 seconds – and everyone’s happy.
Slow Cycling is good for you
So slow cycling is good for you. It makes you more considerate road user, but more importantly if you have a little more patience – you will enjoy the experience a lot more – if you give yourself an extra few minutes to get anywhere, you don’t have to squeeze through gaps which are really not advisable.
I used to do recovery rides at 18 mph, I now seem to do them at 14-15mph – is this a sign of progress? I’m not sure, but probably is. Earlier this year, my recovery rides got as low as 11mph, a combination of NY traffic lights every 50m and the American heat.
The basic principle of recovery rides is to make sure your muscles do actually recover from the micro tears that you subjected them to in harder rides the day before. Hard training only works, if there is sufficient recovery afterwards. The temptation for the over-enthusiastic rider is to ride hard every day and never allow the super-compensation to occur. Using a power meter for the first time this year was of interest. One thing that stood out is that if you want to get a higher power figure, you needed a good period of recovery. It was after this 2-3 days of recovery that you saw higher power figures. Bashing yourself everyday gives a plateau at best. It reminded me of the Obree Way – Obree used to train incredibly hard and then wait 3-5 days to train again. It seemed ridiculously minimalist training and I thought I’d never want to train once or twice a week, but I can understand why it worked now.
How hard to do recovery rides?
I don’t particularly like wearing heart rate monitors, so only do when necessary. On a low intensity recovery ride, 60% of maximum heart rate is a rough guide to avoid going too hard. For me, this is often coming back at an average speed of around 15mph. I do recovery rides purely on feel, and don’t really look at a computer. It is an effort, where you could engage in light conversation without getting out of breath. In terms of power, they tend to be in the range of 100-200 watts. (with a rough threshold one hour power of around 320 watts)
Are recovery rides better than sitting on the couch?
Sometimes it’s good to have a complete day off the bike, if only for the mental and psychological break. But, generally, low intensity recovery rides can be better than doing nothing. Gordon Wright felt that these rides were of substantial benefit.
Firstly low intensity rides help a good blood circulation to the legs to aid in recovering the muscles.
Low intensity rides help prevent the muscles closing down and really going into rest mode. This means that your next training session will be more profitable. (This principle is why Grand tour riders can go out for up to 3 hours on their ‘rest’ day.
Aerobic conditioning. If you are an endurance athlete, any small improvement in base aerobic fitness can help general base fitness. As a very rough rule of thumb, the pyramid principle suggests most training should be done at a low intensity. Smaller quantities at the highest intensity. If you are a time pressed athlete, you could ditch some of the low intensity rides and focus on the intervals, but if you have the time, low intensity can help. I see it as the Yin and Yang approach. On the one hand, really intense intervals which stretch the body out of its comfort zone and limits – to act as a balance, steady low intensity riding.
I bought a Lezyne saddle bag recently to replace an Altura Saddle bag that had worn away.
Firstly, it’s a relief to be reviewing a proper cycling product. i.e. reasonably priced, of interest to most cycle users and bought for it utility and not because it weighs less than 50 grams. When buying this, no weighing scales involved – just a mater of whether it does the job or not.
Simple design, fairly sturdy. Looks good on the bike.
There is the main compartment and a second layer underneath. In this lower layer, I put one inner tube and a multi-tool. It would be a good place to carry a mobile phone as it would get quite a bit of protection from rain and it would fit the thin compartment quite well.
One thing with a saddle bag is that I’ve often had multi-tools get wet and rust. This is because the saddle bag can pick up spray on long rides. I’ve started putting multi-tools in plastic bags to help protect against this. Early testing suggests that the neoprene covering on the back and bottom helps to keep spray out. I haven’t been on long 4 hour wet rides yet. But, given the qualities of neoprene I’m expecting an improvement.
Inside there are three pockets. The $ pocket takes up a bit of space, but, they are useful for keeping things a bit tidier and easier to find. Also, I once punctured both spare inner tubes with a sharp multi-tool, leaving me stranded, so it is good to keep tyre levers and inner tubes separate.
In the quest for marginal gains on the hill climb bike, AX lightness products are always reassuringly expensive. It is a bit of specialist market, and unless you have a good reason to save 20-30grams, you might find a better way to spend your money on bicycle equipment ( or even, dare I suggest, spending money on things not bicycle related…)
The AX Lightness sprint saddle was the lightest saddle I could find. It also looks great. I’ve been riding the sprint version for the past couple of weeks. Mostly hill climb training, but also some longer endurance riding (3 hours plus).
AX Lightness – Sprint Saddle
AX lightness saddle on Trek Emonda hill climb bike
another view of the AX lightness. I know you don’t buy a saddle for aesthetics, but it does look good. If you want a bit of bling – this is as good as it gets in the saddle department.
The Sprint Saddle has a very low weight at 69 grams. I haven’t seen a lighter saddle. The Tune Concorde comes close at 73 grams, but it is more awkward to fit. A few years ago, I had to send mine back because I couldn’t attach it to my bike.
The 2014 season didn’t make the most auspicious start. Getting knocked off the bike at 30mph by a kamikaze Portuguese dog. It was a shame because cycling in the Algarve was fantastic apart from the crazy dogs. It gave a taste for long European climbs, something I’d like to do more of sometime.
From early March until late October, I’ve been racing fairly consistently, though the change from doing 100 mile time trials to hill climbs is as good as rest in a way.
Early season classics
Stouts Hill – Photo: Rich Lewton
For me the highlight of the TT season are the early season hilly classics. I did the Circuit of Ingleborough for the first time and other hilly races like Circuit of the Dales. A highlight of season was doing the Bristol South Megahilly for the first time. This was a dream course for a hill climber – five long climbs of around 10%. Over 1,100m of climbing in less than 28 miles.
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.
