The Nick O Pendle hill climb is a testing climb from the village of Sabden Village up to the moors of Nick O Pendle. The climb averages approx 10%, but at the start there are a few sections of 16%. It has been used several times for the National hill Climb Championship, including 1988 when a young Chris Boardman won his first hill climb championship, setting a course record of 3.29 (he used a 60 inche fixed). Malcolm Elliot was also national champion in 1980.
Course Description
Start at the lamp-post outside the apartment block on the site of the old garage in Sabden Village. Proceed up the hill to FINISH at the large stone at the start of parking area and approximately 50 yards before the crest of the hill.The course is approximately 1350 yards long and has a maximum gradient of 1 in 6.
Riding the Hill
For a change I arrived with enough time to ride the hill. I thought I would be around 3.30ish so I decided to start fast right from the beginning and try and hold on. It is a difficult climb as it is steep from the start so you can soon be close to your limit. I didn’t sprint, but I was riding at a very high effort level.
There are also slight variations in the gradient so I found myself getting in and out of saddle. At about the half way point there is a cattle grid. You definitely want to be in the saddle for going over the cattle grid and keep the bike nice and straight. After half way the climb eases off a little.
cattle grid, around half way
But, despite the gentle gradient it was hard to pick up speed because my legs were already tired from the initial effort. Towards the last hairpin I caught my minute man, he offered me some encouragement before finding some extra strength and sprinting for the line. It was kind of funny as I could never talk in a hill climb! It gave me something to chase, but I couldn’t keep up; I ended up almost ‘dribbling over’ the finish line, I was relieved the finish was 50 metres before the crest of the hill. I was quite spent at the top and felt a little light-headed for a few minutes. I’d given it a lot and missed out on th ecourse record by 5 seconds. There was quite a crowd of people waiting at the top and I got quite a cheer through last few hundred yards. I can imagine in a National championship, this would be a great atmosphere.
The good thing about 2011 was the weather was kind – relatively warm and tailwind. At the bottom it wasn’t really noticeable, but on the exposed slopes it was really quite helpful, this helped the good time.
After racing, I rode back up the hill to take some photos – the wind was even stronger. I can imagine with a headwind, this climb would be even tougher. But, as Greg Lemond said ‘it never gets easier going uphill, you just go faster’
Fixed v Gear
I would imagine this is a good course for fixed. Although the gradient varies, there is no flat or downhill. I changed once or twice during climb. I was riding a 39*15 for most of climb.
Results 2011
(unofficial from memory)
- Tejvan Pettinger Sri Chinmoy Cycling Team – 3.34.5
- Richard Handley – Team Raleight – 3.40
- Mathew Pilkington – Progressive Cycle Coaching DS – 3.59
- Carl Hellilwel – 4.04
- Paul Jones – Bristol South – 4.06
1st Women
- Sarah Hartley – Blackburn & District 5.37
National Hill Climb Championships at Nick o Pendle
1988 – 1st Chris Boardman – 3.29, P. Sheard 3.43, P.Curran 3.43.6 (link Paul Curran’s page)
1980 – 1st Malcolm Elliot – 3.33.6, 2nd Jeff Williams, 3rd Gareth Armitage
1962 – 1st Peter Graham
Previous Winners
2010 – Matthew Pilkington – 4.14
2008 – Adam Pinder – 3.50
2007 – Adam Pinder – 3.54
Nick O Pendle Cyclo Sportive
From the other side from Clitheroe to Sabden the climb is longer, but not as steep, it features in the popular Nick O Pendle Cyclo sportive. This is view from top looking towards Clitheroe.
Photos from Hill
The start
Just after start.
The course is narrowed just after start because of parked cars, but it isn’t as bad as it looks.
Nick O Pendle from across the valley – looks quite intimidating!
On the steep section.
looking down into Sabden
last few hairpins.
Nick O Pendle from B.Thompson’s collection
Thanks to PJ for photos of me cycling
more pics from event
Thanks to North Lancs RC for organising great event
Related
Thanks loads for this. it’s in my back yard – look out the window and there it is. I’ve cicuited Pendle, but not tried the nick yet. Thanks loads for the details of the climb, something for me to aim for now – i’ll let you know if I ever crack it! have you ever tried Jeffrey’s hill? It runs up longridge fell which is the hill you can see over behind Clitheroe when looking from Pendle. Can i just ask, where did you get the details of when these races are held? we have a few around this area, but i always seem to find out to late.
Hi Andy,
Thanks for comment and feedback. These hill climb events are usually held every October. There’s a great atmosphere and all kinds of riders enter. You do need to fill in a Cycling Time Trials entry form.
http://www.cyclingtimetrials.org.uk/Beginners/YourFirstTimeTrial/tabid/82/Default.aspx
The races are published in CTT handbook, but you can also get details from local clubs like North Lancashire RC.
I don’t know Pendle too well, but I enjoyed my visit and may come back for more climbs.
~
Tejvan
that’s brill – thanks loads. A
I rode the hill twice before the race so I knew how steep / long it was. These practise runs were in a very low gear so you get a warm up but not too tired.
For the race you have your time to set off e.g. 10.20 (all riders go off at one minute intervals). There’s definitely no second chance once you’ve raced. Though when you’ve finished racing you’re not really in a fit state to race again.
Before a race, I try to focus. But, you can chat to riders before and after. At hill climbs there tends to be a good atmosphere, you share something in common with all riders – it hurts just as much whatever your speed.
Because it was a nice day I rode up the hill again to take some photos.
Hi
I know I’m showing my ignorance here…. it seems a long way to go for a relatively short race.
Do you get just one shot at the hill climb?
Do you get a chance to interact or ride much with the other cyclists there?
And of course, well done!
Doug