Brighton Mitre hillclimbs

[Jon H]

I lost my hillclimb competition cherry today, riding two events promoted by Brighton Mitre's prolific organiser Robin Johnson. I'd had a cold during the week and wasn't sure whether I'd be able to ride, but was feeling as if I was on the mend yesterday so decided to give it a go.

First up, GH/92 course, climbing up onto the South Downs out of Steyning.
Almost a mile long and gaining 300 ft height, but not an even gradient, there are two sections of about 1 in 6, a flat bit between them, and it eases off near the top. Rode it once before the event to check it out, and timed myself at about 5-1/2 minutes. Ditched the excess clothes and gave it a bit more welly in the event to do 5:10.5, finishing about halfway down the results. Winner was Chris McNamara in 4:03.4.

The afternoon event on GH/94 was much longer at 2.66 miles on Mill Hill climbing out of Shoreham-by-Sea. Not very steep at all, it was a big chainring job all the way up, and included two sections of 30mph+ downhill. 9:06.9 which again put me hafway down the results. Winner this time was David Mcgaw in 7:34.0.

[Snoop Doug]

Well done Jon, you going for the set then? Mighty impressed, I guess you know but the Bec one ain't nothing like the two you did today. Nice mix of pain, and more pain by the sounds of things.

[Andrew G]

Good rides Jon, and with a nose full of snot to weigh you down as well, don't need any extra weight to carry up the hills.

From your descriptions and the times these sound truly horrible.