Hill Climbs.........

[Tony]

The Hill Climb season is rapidly approaching. After a year of being lazy, I'm desperately trying to get fit (but struggling) and hoping to get a new bike sorted too. Hopefully both will come together in time! Key Diary Dates for anyone interested are below. Entrants to all events always cover a huge range of abilities and there's usually have prizes for men, woman, oldies, youngsters, etc - so there's no excuse for not entering!

Sun 21st October
am: Catford CC Hill Climb on Yorks Hill. Claimed to be the oldest bike race in the world and always a great atmosphere;

pm: Bec CC HillClimb; our most local climb on White Lane, Titsey. Plus there's a £900 prize for the fatest team of three riders. If all our fastest climbers are at their best, we'd have a reasonable chance of winning this - even without Georgie.

Sat 6th October
am: Kingston Wheelers NEW promotion on Leith Hill. What a great choice of hill and organised by those very respectable Kingston Wheeler's boys too!

Sun 28th October
National Champs in Cheddar Gorge (Somerset). Looks like a very picturesque venue and with a long drag at the top is as much a tester's hill as a road-man's.....

There's others too. I will add to the post later. Please ask me or the club TT rep (John Hemming) if you need to know how to enter. Typically entries need to be sent at least three-weeks in advance.

[Andrew G]

I ain't no climber but was going to do the Bec one again for the atmosphere, and fingers crossed a dry one this year, but won't be back from IOW CR in time.

Can recommend it as a fantastic event, the crowds and support are like nothing you'll get anywhere else whether you're fast or slow. Went out to watch the Catford one as well and the atmosphere there is also superb.

Anyone who can climb should definately put these in their diaries as you'd love it.

[Snoop Doug]

I just might be tempted.....(will I NEVER learn) to do either the catford and/or the bec. Are these likely to be popular events within the club? Don't know if I could handle the pressure of flying so slowly solo

Snoop

[mrP(Boonen)VT]

Cap'n
I am of the species of rider known as "flat earth" and although I've done the Catford (once) and the Bec (twice) and after each one have vowed "never again" They hurt like hell, you can't walk, talk or do anything coherent for 10 minutes afterwards, except question your sanity.

Having said that, the crowds and the atmosphere are great, and you get a wall of encouragement nearly all the way up, especially near the top......raise the skull and crossbones and give it a go - you might like it

Sorry I won't be out to watch - will be on the Isle of Wight.

[Jon H]

For anyone who fancies a practice go at a hillclimb before the open events, there's our club hillclimb at Ranmore common on 29th Sept.

And if anyone wants more pain on the Catford/Bec weekend, Brighton Mitre have two hillclimbs on the Saturday. I think the highest placed rider from all four events gets crowned London South district hillclimb champion.

[mrP(Boonen)VT]

Jon,
Sorry to miss it this year but will be in France.

[Snoop Doug]

Oyyyy Sean - you leave that lanterne rouge alone - it's mine d'ya hear.......mine!

Snoop

PS - there was a fiver and a rear led light up for grabs last yr if I remember rightly....

[Rob Taylor]

i might have a go at a couple for a bit of fun - where is Yorks hill?

So how do u enter then? and Tony is there anywhere with a list of other local events? - unfortunatly i will be working when club climb is on.

[Andrew G]

[quote="mrpvt"]Jon,
Sorry to miss it this year but will be in France.

[Jon H]

Yorks Hill is located about 1km east of Ide Hill village, just off the minor road than runs across Goathurst Common towards Sevenoaks.

Entry is on a normal CTT entry form, but you have to fill in both sides of the form; the back of the form has extra boxes for hill climbs and team trials. http://www.ctt.org.uk/

[Paul on the Pearson]

I was going to enter both of these after watching last year, but will be on the IOW that weekend. Of the two I'd say Yorks hill is the worst, its got a real nasty kick at the top. Jon put my name down for the club hill climb though.

[-Adam-]

Can you please put me down for the Club hill climb Jon?

Im hoping i will be ok to ride a bike by then, im not going to be competitive, just there for the 'fun' of it!

Mind you I still managed third last year after 3 weeks off my bike and drinking every day at Uni, so maybe...

(of course there were some notable abscences last year, but shhhh!)

[mrP(Boonen)VT]

[quote]Mind you I still managed third last year

[Jon C C on a Bianchi]

Jon

Hi. I must be completely mad but please put Sam and me down for the Ranmore job. Sam wants to do it and as I'll have to take him down I might as well 'compete'!

thanks

Jon C

[quote="mrpvt"][quote]Mind you I still managed third last year