The hill climb championship took place on Bank Road, Matlock. The road was closed to traffic. The distance of the climb was about 830m. Average gradient 14%. Maximum Gradient 20%. Weather was good for late October. There was a full field of 150 riders.
Matt Clinton mikevaughan.co.uk - 2008 Winner time 2.24.2
I finished 14th in a time of 2.42.3. I was quite pleased with my time for a hill which wasn’t ideal to my liking. It was very close at the top, with just 2 seconds separating the top 3 - Bill Bell, Jim Henderson and Matt Clinton. The first women was Lynn Hamel, 2.59
There was a good crowd at the steepest part. At this point I was already a bit dizzy in the head. My arms were drained of blood like pins and needle. After the steep corner, there was another 200m of relatively shallow climb. Although it was shallow, it was hard to go much faster.
Stewart House (10) at the start. The event was well organised by Matlock CC and other local clubs. It’s great to race on closed roads.
I enjoyed the race alot. I really felt I had raced at my limit. I will have to try and find an extra 18 seconds for next year.
National Hill Climb 2008
| 1 | Matt Clinton | MikeVaughan.co.uk | 02:24.2 | ||
| 2 | Bill Bell | Gemini BC | 02:25.4 | ||
| 3 | Jim Henderson | Southport CC | 02:26.5 | ||
| 4 | Dave Griffiths | Paramount RT | 02:29.6 | ||
| 5 | Lewis Cowley | Plan B RT | 02:30.2 | ||
| 6 | David Clarke | lacuna | 02:31.0 | ||
| 7 | Charles Taylor | South Pennine RC | 02:31.4 | ||
| 8 | Adam Pinder | Blackburn & District CTC | 18 | 02:34.6 | |
| 9 | Adrian Rodgers | Worthing Excelsior CC | 02:35.2 | ||
| 10 | Darren Atkins | Coventry RC | 02:39.5 | ||
| 11 | Daniel Arblaster | Guernsey Velo Club | 17 | 02:40.4 | |
| 12 | Ian Stott | Blackburn & District CTC | 02:41.0 | ||
| 13 | James McLaughlin | Guernsey Velo Club | 18 | 02:42.1 | |
| 14 | Tejvan Pettinger | Sri Chinmoy Cycling Team | 02:42.3 | ||
| 15 | Adrian Lawrence | Lancashire RC | 02:43.5 | ||
| 16 | Chris Metcalf | Matlock CC | 02:43.5 | ||
| 17 | Robert Gough | John’s Bike RT | 02:43.7 | ||
| 18 | James Ward | Cambridge CC | 02:44.8 | ||
| 19 | Robin Coomber | Johns Bike’s RT | 02:44.8 | ||
| 20 | Chris Edmondson | Blackburn & District CTC | 02:45.0 |
Hill Climb page
3 comments ↓
Hi, Great ride for 14th.. I just got in the top 100 at 97th.. 43 seconds after you… I was walking down to the start when you set off, I gave you a shout but then again everyone was cheering! A friend of mine should have some photos of every rider so when I get them I’ll post one of you on my blog. Dave.
Well done on your result at the hill climb champs.
That’s really impressive.
Near me the local hill climbs are at Yorks Hill (Catford Hill Climb) and Titsey Hill/White Lane (Bec Hill Climb). They are not as steep as the one in Matlock, but I still find them too scary to do !
Thanks 2wheelchick.
I once did the Cat and Bec hill Climbs - Great fun with a large crowd!
Leave a Comment