Different Perspectives on the Race

Thanks for all comments re: nat hill climb 2011. I like Neil’s comment about beating some good time triallists on a road bike. I don’t think there are too many people who can say they beat Michael Hutchinson on his time trial bike, when they were just riding a road bike.

BTW: It’s good to see non-hill climb specialists like Michael Hutchinson and Rob Hayles have a go at a discipline which isn’t there speciality. It was also good to see some of the British national team ride out to see the race. I believe I saw the world champion jersey on one female rider. Including all the competitors and spectators, there was quite a sprinkling of world champions and international riders at the event. You kind of feel it should be you watching them, but the hill climb season allows even skinny riders like me to have their day in the sun.

I thought Paul Jones wrote an excellent article on the National Hill climb here. It’s great to see someone really enjoying his forays into this curiously British branch of cycling racing.

As I mentioned in Cycling Weekly preview, Matt seems to know how to peak for National Hill climb Championships, it’s impressive to be in the medals for five seasons on quite different hills. This is Matt’s blog post here.

Not everyone is racing for medals. It was a big field of 150 + reserves. Andy from Daily Cycle gives his thoughts on riding a  national event.

Atmosphere.

Before and after the race, I spoke to quite a few people. It was nice to have so many sincere comments of encouragement and good wishes.

Season Overall.

Many years ago, I remember coming last in a cross country race (we had tremendously enthusiastic cross country teachers at Bradford Grammar School). I did actually train, so after coming last I decided I had the wrong genes for sport so gave up. It was about this time, I came second to last in a hill climb. I didn’t really do a competitive race for another 10 years. So I’m glad to have proved myself wrong from my 16 year old prediction.

Nick o Pendle

At Nick O Pendle, PJ, half jokingly, said I bet you would give up all 10 victories to win the National. In one sense, of course you would. But, after all is done, you don’t feel like bartering. You race and you get the results you deserve. If the national was slightly disappointing, it was quite something to win 10 on the trot; including three course records (Guise Edge – Otley CC, Burrington Combe – Bristol South CC and Saintbury – Warwickshire RC) and going close on another couple. I always say I enjoy the training as much as the races, it’s the same as the open and national (well, nearly…)

After the Nick o Pendle, I did feel quite strongly that I wish the National was on a course like this. This year I probably made most progress in riding short hill climbs. (although, last year I was probably wishing the national was slightly longer or something like that.) For next year, I won’t make any comment on whether the Rake suits me or not (well at least until I’ve done it)

Equipment and Cycling

I liked the comment on Pj’s blog about ‘equipment angst’ for this particular hill climb. A good cyclist always likes to have a few excuses to hand about how they could have gone faster, and equipment is usually up there with – wrong wind direction, too much traffic, too little traffic, too little training. (Some cyclists have been even know to say they should have pedalled harder.) (good habits / bad habits cycling)

But, seriously, we also know choosing the right equipment and making sure it works (Andy Shleck’s chain for example) is part of the sport. If we didn’t like the bicycle and all it entails, we could always take up another sport like barefoot running. Andy Shleck may have got some sympathy for a broken chain, but you don’t win the Tour de France on sympathy. Nevertheless, it still doesn’t stop you thinking ‘what if’…

If you wrote a blog on the national, leave a comment and I’ll link to it.

Related

• National Hill Climb 2011
• Thoughts on hill climbs
• Nat Hill Climb champs – list of winners