hill climbs

2013 National championship hill climb

was promoted by Ferryhill Wheelers on the Stang, North Yorkshire.

2013 race blog

I’ve had a pretty good hill climb season, up to the nat champs, I’d won 11 out of 12 opens (including 6 course records). It’s an impressive track record, but in 2011 I also had similar success in opens, and for whatever reason it didn’t quite happen on the big day, finishing 5th – a few seconds off the medals. 2012 was a wash out on the rake (12th). The Rake was the first national championship when I didn’t ride too well, not that it would have made any difference – I don’t have the short-twitch fibres to excel on short 2 minute efforts.

This was my 9th national championship, and probably my best shot at the title. Occasionally throughout the year the thought would pop into my mind ‘if you don’t win it this year, you’ll never win it.’ Probably untrue, but this year was definitely a good opportunity. I’ve done every national championship since 2005, the best result was 2010, where I was one second off third place.

I don’t have a coach, but Gordon Wright (former coach of Stuart Dangerfield – 5 times national champion), kindly gave a few helpful pieces of advice. (I tapered later than usual) Also he mentioned one thing that really stuck out, if you really want the national title, you can, ‘Just be ruthlessly focussed.’ Quite often I’ve turned up to national championships not having ridden the course, not even sure where the finish line was (2010) or turning up really quite late, or taking wrong bike e.t.c (2011). So this year, I took this advice to heart. For example, I did toy with riding a 12 hour time trial in July, but thankfully left that for another year. It’s one of the great cliches of sport to say I gave it 100%, but this year I think my preparation really was as much as I could have done. (apart from fuzzy socks and number not being pinned on properly..)

Pre-riding the course.

12 days ago, I went to ride the Stang at race pace. There was a ferocious headwind and I did 12.02. I was really disappointed with the time, and on the second effort that day I did 12.10. It was really tough grinding up into the headwind. Two days later, I went back and did 9.15. There was a light cross / tail wind that day. It was definitely good experience to ride the hill several times. I must have ridden the hill seven times, and I was able to decide tribars were as much hassle as help. I practised the technical downhill bits quite a bit.

Week before

The week before was interesting experience. I couldn’t decide if I was confident, nervous, looking forward to it, or wishing I could just ride and get it over with. I really thought there was a good chance to win, but I also thought I could finish any place in the top 10. It’s always hard to predict national hill climb championships, especially this year. There are really a lot of very good road men mixed in with the hill climb specialists. I only did one week of tapering, so I felt very fresh by Saturday. I hadn’t done so little cycling since last February when I had a knee injury.

I felt surprisingly calm on the day. I’ve felt more nervous for opens (and much more nervous when organising an event!) I arrived at 11am – a record 4 hours before my event. But, this gave me chance to ride the course before the race started. I realised it was going to be very different to the two practises on the Stang. I thought the best strategy was to go as hard as I dared on the steep section and hope the tailwind would blow me along the rest. At least the tailwind meant I didn’t have to worry about tribars. I think on the downhill it would be about holding on!

It’s nice getting there early, you have chance to chat to a lot of people. Many offered generous good wishes. It was good to see former Oxford University CC teammate Jim Henderson and his rapidly growing family (Jim is 5 times national winner and one of the ultimate hill climb specialists)  Quite a few people had told me they would have betted on me to win, though I didn’t share their confidence!) I went to the CB Inn for a drink of mineral water by the log fire. A young competitor was soon brought in shivering and cold. She had fallen off after finishing her race. The effort and headwind were too much. She felt pretty bad for a while, but after being told she was junior national champion for her age, even the cold felt worthwhile. She was well looked after by marshals and members of the Ferryhill Wheelers. Still it was a rather stark reminder of the nature of the climb and day. It was the kind of day where the weather could easily effect your performance for the worse.

I usually warm up on rollers, but for this race brought a turbo along as well. It was just as well because I couldn’t ride the rollers at all, my back wheel was just slipping off. If I didn’t have a turbo it really would have been difficult. It wasn’t the weather for warming up on the road.

As a rare luxury, I also had a teammate (Arayvan) who came all the way from Australia to hold a golf umbrella on this wet Yorkshire day. I appreciated his help, and it was good to warm up in the dry. Aravyan said he thoroughly enjoyed the whole experience – though I’m not sure whether that was my mum’s Yorkshire pudding or the standing in the rain bit.

The Race

5 minutes before the start, I got off the turbo and made my way to the start. Poor old Matt Pilkington a few numbers ahead of me just missed his start because of a freak mechanical. He seemed quite calm despite his bad luck, I’m sure in future years on shorter climbs he will do well. I didn’t say anything at this point though, I was trying to be as focused as possible. I stripped off as late as possible and got onto the starting block.

The start went well. It felt much faster up the steeper section that previous efforts. I kept in the same gear (39*19) all the way up the steep section. It was close to the limit, but not quite. As the top section flattened out, I started going up the gears and by the downhill was into the 53*12 absolutely flying. I could see my minute man Sam Ward (Dirt Cycles) ahead in the distance, and flew past him (I think I heard a muffled ‘go on Tejvan’. It was a nice irony to have Sam as my minute man, because he gave me the idea for my first hill climb back in 1993 (Otley CC) (By the way I finished 2nd to last in that hill climb on East Chevin)

Although you were flying with the tailwind, there is still a big kick in the tail as the climb rears back up to 10%. I just tried to give it everything and hold on. There was another section of downhill near the finish, and I tried to put back in the big ring, but it wouldn’t go so I just finished in a 39.

Right at the finish, I made my only mistake in the climb, for some reason I stopped sprinting just before the finish. I just held back a fraction of a second too early, I don’t know why for some reason in my head I had the finish at an early point. Anyway I was pleased with time of 7.57 and how I’d ridden. It was a bit of relief just to know I’d done a good ride, and maybe even good enough for a medal.  I remember Hugh Carthy standing at the top -asking me what time I did and he seemed impressed at 7.57, which I took as a promising sign. He was waiting for his Rapha Condor team-mates to finish.

A marshall gave me a bin liner for the descent back down. It was a good idea as it was cold and hard work going back down. It was probably a similar time to go back down as it did going up. I didn’t think too much about result, I was more concerned with getting dry and warm. It takes ages to get your skin suit off when you’re cold, especially when pins are in your undershirt.

Walking into the HQ I saw PJ and James Dobbin. They were both very clever, saying you might want to check the results for yourself, but it’s looking promising. They didn’t say I’d won, but it gave a hopeful vibe. I never made it to the results board before enough people told me I’d won to believe it.

I was only 2 seconds in front of James Gullen. It must be hard to lose by 2 seconds. But, 2nd is pretty good for first national championship – and James is 12 years younger than me so he has plenty of time to go one better. 3rd was Matt Clinton, who did another phenomenal national championship ride to finish on the podium yet again.  Hugh Carthy, Rapha Condor JTL finished 4th to lead home Rapha Condor JTL to team prize.  James Knox, Champion System – Maxgear RT  was 8th overall and junior champion for the second year running.

Maryka Sennema, Kingston Wheelers CC was ladies champion with a time of 9:49.2 – just pipping former national champion Lynn Hamel. Third lady was Angela Hibbs, Tyneside Vagabonds.

Pete Tadros (In Gear Quickvit Trainsharp) was fastest vet and once again slipped into the top 10.

Big thanks to Ferryhill Wheelers, CTT and all those who stood on side of road. An epic day for standing in rain for 3 hours. I think it’s much easier to ride than organise and marshall!

After the race, I gave a couple of interviews to cycling magazines and posed for a few photos. A moment’s fame perhaps. I told my mum it wouldn’t go to my head. I suppose it’s not every day you win the national championship.

Race Compare

This is interesting to see race compare. It seems I gained time right at the start. After a few hundred metres I was 9 second up. Then for the rest of the climb 2nd place James Gullent chipped away, getting within 1 second.

Results – Top 30

Women

1. Maryka Sennema – Kingston Wheelers CC – 09:49.2
2. Lynn Hamel Herbalife – Leisure Lakes Bikes.com – 10:06.6
3. Angela Hibbs – Tyneside Vagabonds CC – 10:25.6
4. Joanne Blakeley – Champion System – Maxgear RT – 11:07.7
5. Helen Eborall – Born to Bike – Bridgtown Cycles -11:12.4
6. Nicola Soden Champion System -Maxgear RT -11:16.3
7. Lou Collins – Beeston RC -11:17.0
8. Eve Dixon – Champion System – 11.22.1
9. Karen Poole – GBCycles.co.uk – 11.28.6
10. Annabel Sill – Clay Cross RT – 12.17
11. Gemma Sargent – Dave Hinde RT – 12.43.5
12. Jessica Roberts – Velo Club Melyd – 13.05.8
13. Alice Cobb – Scott Contessa Epic RT – 13.45 (JW)
14. Isla Rush – Wyndmilla – 14.06 (JW)
15. Eve Lyon – Nutcracker Racing – 14.28 (JW)
16. Sharon Clifford – Coventry RC – 14.48

Junior Men

1. James Knox – 8.25
2. Josh Jardine – 8.42.9
3. Max Spedding- 8.46.9

Junior Women

1. Alice Cobb – 13.45
2. Isla Rush –  14.06
3. Eve Lyon – 14.28

Vet Men

• A) Pete Tadros – 8.29

Full results for 2013

1 Tejvan Pettinger Sri Chinmoy Cycling Team 07:57.7
2 James Gullen Team Hope Factory Racing 07:59.8
3 Matt Clinton Mike Vaughan Cycles 08:08.1
4 Hugh Carthy Rapha Condor JTL 08:15.8
5 Richard Handley Rapha Condor JTL 08:18.6
6 Dan Evans Velo Club Melyd 08:19.5
7 Josh Teasdale In Gear Quickvit Trainsharp 08:24.7
8 James Knox Champion System -Maxgear RT 08:25.6
9 Pete Tadros In Gear Quickvit Trainsharp 08:29.1
10 Charles Coleman Velo Club Walcot 08:29.2
11 Adam Kenway Team Zenith – www.buzzcycles.co.uk 08:32.2
12 Jack Pullar Madison Genesis 08:32.7
13 Jonathan Cregeen Biketreks Racing Team 08:35.2
14 Mike Cuming Rapha Condor JTL 08:37.0
15 Conall Yates In Gear Quickvit Trainsharp 08:37.9
16 Michael Smith Team Corley Cycles 08:41.3
17 Danny Axford Arctic-SRAM RT 08:42.6
18 Josh Jardine Kent Valley RC 08:42.9
19 James Dobbin Arctic-SRAM RT 08:43.0
20 Max Spedding Birkenhead North End CC 08:46.6
21 Julian Varley Harrogate Nova CC 08:46.9
22 Nick Spencer Gosforth RC 08:48.4
23 Ian Taylor Ciclocostablanca.com 08:48.7
24 Daniel Patten Team SmartStop P/B Mountain Khakis 08:49.6
25 Luke Mullen Hetton Hawks CC 08:50.1
26 Michael Jones Derwentside CC 08:50.9
27 Benjamin Davis Bristol RC 08:55.0
28 Chris Baines Buxton CC 08:56.3
29 Ben Hetherington Dirt Wheels Cycles 09:02.7
30 Paul Roby Coveryourcar.co.uk RT 09:02.7
31 Aidan Holgate North Lancs RC 09:09.0
32 Jack O’Neill Mike Vaughan Cycles 09:10.3
33 David Crawley Rock to Roll Cycles 09:10.5
34 Paul Jones Bristol South CC 09:10.8
35 Archie Cross Yorkshire Road Club 09:12.4
36 Andrew Pearson Huddersfield Star Whs 09:13.1
37 Tim Wilcock Tyneside Vagabonds CC 09:13.8
38 Michael Broadwith Arctic-SRAM RT 09:15.5
39 Alastair Kay Herbalife-Leisure Lakes Bikes.com 09:16.1
40 Chris Myhill Peak Road Club 09:17.1
41 Alex Jones Clwb Rasio Mona 09:18.7
42 Adam Hartley Velocity WD-40 09:19.9
43 Joey Walker RST Racing Team 09:20.2
44 Adrian Lawson Cadence RT 09:21.2
45 David Watson Coventry RC 09:21.7
46 Tom Garnett Ilkley CC 09:23.1
47 Zak Corum-Haines Brighton Excelsior CC 09:23.9
48 Sam Ward Dirt Wheels Cycles 09:24.9
49 Chris Dyke Manchester Wheelers Club 09:25.8
50 Nick Latimer Rutland CC 09:26.7
51 Jonathan Bayley Gosforth RC 09:29.4
52 Wilf Sargeant West Pennine RC 09:32.7
53 Robert Hayes Manchester Wheelers Club 09:32.7
54 Matthew Pilkington Metaltek, Knights of Old 09:34.8
55 Mark Harrison Houghton CC 09:35.0
56 Sebastian Dickson Thanet RC 09:35.7
57 Bhima Bowden Buxton CC 09:36.4
58 Kieran Savage Seacroft Whs 09:38.5
59 Max Robson Richmond CC 09:39.3
60 Rob Shields GS Metro 09:40.9
61 Stuart Stirland Edinburgh RC 09:41.3
62 Alexander Wilson GVC Edmond de Rothschild Team 09:42.4
63 Patrick Smart Matlock CC 09:43.8
64 Ben Lane GS Metro 09:47.3
65 Alan Thynne PMR @ Toachim House 09:47.5
66 Stewart Gregory Nottingham Clarion CC 09:48.1
67 Maryka Sennema Kingston Wheelers CC 09:49.2
68 Scott Smith Barrow Central Wheelers 09:49.6
69 Karl Juan Denton Newcastle Cheviot CC 09:49.6
70 Eugene Cross Yorkshire Road Club 09:50.1
71 Keith Henderson Southborough & Dist. Whs 09:50.8
72 Clive Upton Hambleton RC 09:51.0
73 James Falconer Ferryhill Whs/Mountain High 09:52.4
74 Paul Stubbs Ferryhill Whs/Mountain High 09:54.1
75 Rory Hopcraft Abellio SFA Racing Team 09:55.6
76 Paul Thirling Adept Precision RT/N E Healthcare Solutions 09:55.7
77 Matthew Cartlidge Stone Wheelers CC 09:57.7
78 Daniel Alderton Guernsey Velo Club 10:00.0
79 Chris Burns Ferryhill Whs/Mountain High 10:00.0
80 Chris Danby Drighlington BC 10:00.5
81 Martin Gibson Adept Precision RT/N E Healthcare Solutions 10:01.4
82 Stuart Green Oldham Century RC 10:01.8
83 Nick Decker Congleton CC 10:02.3
84 Nick English AW Cycles.co.uk 10:02.5
85 Simon Warren Norwood Paragon CC 10:03.7
86 Richard Lilleker Cleveland Wheelers CC 10:03.9
87 Lynn Hamel Herbalife-Leisure Lakes Bikes.com 10:06.6
88 Ted Cross Yorkshire Road Club 10:07.1
89 Andy Gorton East Lancashire RC 10:08.6
90 Ryan Coulton Salt Ayre Cogset Youth Cycling Club 10:09.8
91 Craig Gath York Cycleworks 10:10.0
92 Peter Greenwood Clayton Velo 10:14.3
93 Stuart Baker Buxton CC 10:18.5
94 Aaron Tonks Ribble Valley CRC 10:18.9
95 Simon Coates Cleveland Wheelers CC 10:19.0
96 Robert Pollen Ashley Touring CC 10:20.6
97 Angela Hibbs Tyneside Vagabonds CC 10:25.6
98 Andrew Askwith Bridlington Cycling Club 10:27.9
99 Peter Byrne In Gear Quickvit Trainsharp 10:29.8
100 John Keane Coventry CC 10:30.2
101 Dan Harwood In Gear Quickvit Trainsharp 10:32.9
102 Kevin Dawson Hambleton RC 10:37.5
103 Marc Allen Swindon Road Club 10:43.3
104 Simon Dowson Settle World Wide Wheelers 10:45.1
105 Paul Hague Gosforth RC 10:47.0
106 David Trotter Lancaster CC 10:50.1
107 Carl Mustil Ferryhill Whs/Mountain High 10:50.5
108 Mark Flannery Richmond CC 10:53.5
109 Tom Clarke Red Rose Olympic 10:53.6
110 Harry Craig Activ Cycles – Corbridge 10:53.7
111 Lewis Hartley Velocity WD-40 10:56.1
112 Ben Trippier East Lancashire RC 10:57.2
113 Jonathan Baines Buxton CC 10:57.7
114 Theo Jefferies Ashley Touring CC 10:58.1
115 Paul Bailey Manchester Wheelers Club 10:58.7
116 Jahan Hunter Ashley Touring CC 10:59.5
117 Sam Mansfield Buxton CC 11:01.6
118 Ivan Paul Ashley Touring CC 11:02.2
119 Alex Trippier East Lancashire RC 11:02.5
120 Lee Cairns Rossington Whs 11:02.8
121 Ian Hutchinson Cleveland Wheelers CC 11:03.6
122 William Belcher Clayton Velo 11:04.7
123 Calum Meikle North Cotswolds CC 11:04.8
124 Paul Brierley Huddersfield Road Club 11:06.1
125 Joanne Blakeley Champion System -Maxgear RT 11:07.7
126 Christian Hulme Stretford Wheelers CC 11:08.4
127 David Murphy Liverpool Mercury Dolan CC 11:09.0
128 Sam Wilson Mike Vaughan Cycles 11:12.0
129 Helen Eborall Born to Bike – Bridgtown Cycles 11:12.4
130 Nicola Soden Champion System -Maxgear RT 11:16.3
131 Lou Collins Beeston RC 11:17.0
132 Nick Calvert Adept Precision RT/N E Healthcare Solutions 11:21.1
133 Dougi Hall Border City Whs CC 11:21.7
134 Eve Dixon Champion System -Maxgear RT 11:22.1
135 Oliver Dickson Thanet RC 11:22.3
136 Richard Birkin Nottingham Clarion CC 11:24.2
137 Karen Poole gbcycles.co.uk 11:28.6
138 Cameron Turner Darlington Cycling Club 11:29.7
139 Mark Sanders Mid Devon CC 11:30.5
140 Joe Mann Derwentside CC 11:31.0
141 Stewart Bates TFN Triathlon Club 11:50.1
142 Simon Baines Buxton CC 11:51.1
143 Cameron Heritage Holme Valley Whs 11:51.8
144 Kevin Gibbons Border City Whs CC 11:53.7
145 Nicholas Burton Newark Castle C C 11:58.0
146 Paul Ashcroft Rapha Condor Cycling Club 11:58.3
147 Andrew Newey Ribble Valley CRC 12:03.6
148 James Risk Sportcity Velo 12:03.7
149 Richard Sill Wansbeck CC 12:13.3
150 Annabel Sill Clay Cross RT 12:17.4
151 Mike Westmorland Border City Whs CC 12:43.3
152 Gemma Sargent Dave Hinde RT 12:43.5
153 Paul Heggie Birdwell Whs 13:01.0
154 Jessica Roberts Velo Club Melyd 13:05.8
155 Alice Cobb Scott Contessa Epic RT 13:45.3
156 Michael Cox Ashley Touring CC 13:48.4
157 Isla Rush Wyndymilla 14:06.6
158 Eve Lyon Nutcraker Racing 14:28.1
159 Jonathan Poole Ashley Touring CC 14:46.2
160 Sharon Clifford Coventry RC 14:48.8
161 Dave Archer Bolsover & District CC 17:36.3
162 Luke Thomas Ashley Touring CC 18:33.0

See also:

• National hill climb at Cycling Weekly
• Report at Velo UK
• PJ’s blog at Traumradfahren
• report at Sri Chinmoy Races
• UK National Hill climb – list of winners
• Women’s UK national hill climb
• Junior men – list of winners
• Junior women – list of winners

Related

• Secrets of the hill climbs
• The Stang hill climb
• Previous national championships

Rouleur magazine sponsored the hill climb. Helped to have closed roads