National Hill Climb

Wow....what a weekend that was!!

After the brutality of Bank and Riber the weekend before, I was reasonably nervous for Nationals. A high calibre field would be an understatement but realistically that would never be the battle.

On Saturday morning we drove down to Bovey Tracey, choosing to miss BUCS this year (after that weather - thank god). We arrived just in time to recee the hill that evening, as well as another top 100 climb over the other side.

The hill in question - Haytor

5.5km at 6.7%, though that was half the tale. The first half averaged 10% with a max of 22% before levelling off for 600m before rising up to the finish at 11%. Pacing was going to be vital.

Sunday morning came and thankfully the weather could not have been better. Sun, blue skies and a tailwind. The only issue was having to go up the climb to HQ to sign on. Good warm up you would say; if I wasn't off until midday. Instead warm-up included a lovely loop round dartmoor and eating stroopwaffels (if you know, you know 😍).

Eventually my time slot arrived, ahead of me a good friend and alumni from notts. Would I catch him?

No. No I would not.

After the recee the day before I set myself a target of around 18 minutes. Riding down to the start cooled the legs down drastically. The climb was tough, I tried to sit at a comfortable pace for the first third, build up speed on the flat and then carry it to the finish.

In the end, with the help of the cheering crowd, I finished in 18:09.1. Once again, everything was left on the hill, and even more so knowing it was the final race.

So here we are, the season is over.

It's been phenomenal. The support has been relentless and has gotten me over some finish lines I really shouldn't have. PBs at every race has been incredible, some of which I wouldn't have dreamt of hitting earlier this year, and finally the friends I've made at the races. The hill climb community really is unique, no egos, no judgement. Just a bunch of people riding their legs off uphill.

For those who have followed me this year and supported me, thank you.

Now time to get back to enjoying rides without the obligation of training