Interclub hill climb report and results

Kamila Leska, rising star of the Bruntingthorpe race nights, reports on her first ever hill climb

Asking other members of the club about the Nevill Holt Hill Climb TT I heard:

“ It’s so hard ”
“This hill is brutal”
“Last year it almost killed me. I’m not doing it this year!”

When I said I was considering signing up, the tune has changed to:

“You should definitely do it”
“It’s great fun”
“You will love it”

… and they were right.

An interclub challenge with a trophy to be won/ stay in the hands of WVCC has put a bit more pressure on the performance. Although I suspected that it would be hard for me to be amongst the 21 fast riders, I’ve joined for the experience.

Waiting for the first ascent, we were caught by surprise for the shout out for the first rider to start in 40 seconds. And one by one we were off, me with number 10 on my back. Watching others starting, having some trouble with clipping into their pedals or shooting out fast, I thought, “I can’t match that, but well I will do my best”. A few minutes later and it was me to go. First part looking flat, fooling the rider, was a time to get some momentum. Then came a steep section before the bend, and the bench where all the spectators were shouting encouragements. This is where Josh, a rider released a minute after me, overtook me to my surprise. I pushed harder to reach the finish line, joined Judith and rolled down the hill to meet with the other riders before the second ascent this, time from Medbourne.

It was a bit of a wait for the second part. We were waiting close to the last year’s start line when a riders from other club came to let us know we are starting way at the bottom of the hill. We joined everyone else and one by one, with one minute intervals, started the climb. Although longer, this ascent was not that steep. Many more spectators along the hill boost the energy levels to try harder for the finish line, which was still quite far. And it was done.

Tired and happy we joined the spectators to cheer for the others who were still coming up. And after the last riders, with few minutes break we joined everyone at the Rockingham Forest Wheelers Club House for coffee, chat and results. The times were added, points assigned and it was announced that with a 1 point advantage Welland Valley CC holds the trophy.  Yay!

Thank you Judith and Ray and everyone else for the push to join the challenge, all the spectators for cheering for those who decided to climb and the Rockingham Forest Club for organising the event. Great fun! Definitely will sign up next year!

Link to a higher resolution image here: https://wellandvalleycc.github.io/2022ClubChampionshipEvent18.htm

Our thanks to all the members from Kettering Cycling Club and Rockingham Forest Wheelers who took part in the competition and to Rockingham club for organising the event so splendidly