Hills one and two of the 2008 Four Hills Challenge held on the weekend of the 12 October in the South East
Pain and suffering in the South East - part 1
It was the comeback of the 2008 cycling season that threatened to overshadow the news of Armstrong’s rematch with le Tour...yes folks, I was making my first competitive outing in a year at the worst possible event for those who had a problem with gradients – the Brighton Mitre Hill Climb. It was not one of my better ideas, especially as I’ve pretty much had a year out from bike racing, done nothing remotely resembling ‘training’ and normally went white with fear at the thought of going up anything steeper than the banking at Preston Park (even when at my fittest).
The thought of getting out for a competitive event – certainly one as sociable and well organised as the Mitre Hill Climb - proved too much and so I found myself in Steyning on an unseasonably bright October morning for the Steyning Bostal climb. It was great seeing a good crowd for the event and things seemed very well organised right from the off...good pre-race directions, start sheets, plenty of space for parking, changing facilities and refreshments (thanks for the tea!), timekeeping and pushers (no, not that sort!)…a top job by Robin Johnson and assorted Mitre helpers.
A healthy field of 30+ riders were ready for vertical action, including a sizeable Mire contingent (many of whom expressed great surprise at seeing me for the first time this season...at a hill climb no less).
Soon the streets of Steyning were thrumming gently to the sound of riders warming up for the challenge of t’Bostal...a fearsome hill that gave you a false sense of relief by throwing up a false flat with slight downhill shortly after the initial rise only to hit you with an 18% gradient which would see some riders almost stopping and getting a chairlift to the top. A bit of a slippy surface in the sheltered sections added to the challenge. Times were expected in the 4 to 6 minutes region...with Ishmael Burdeu (Agiskoviner), Chris McNamara (Wildside), Nick Sky (Mitre) expected to show strongly.
In the end it was Geoff Beetham (Retrobikes) who pulled off the fastest time with 4.09.00. Tom Frith was highest Mitre rider in 7th place with 4.43.8. This was an astounding ride by Tom who has been crewing on a yacht in the Caribbean most of the summer (must work that into my training schedule in 2009). Top vet was Ishmael in 4.25.5 and top women’s rider was Juliette Clarke (InGear RT) in 5.27.5 despite a sensational ride by Mitre’s Claire Leonard. Top team was Brighton Mitre with Nick Sky, Tom Frith and Nigel Foskett getting the fastest times that counted.
Pain and suffering in the South East - part 2
After a civilised break the afternoon’s action shifted to Mill Hill, Shoreham on Sea for a climb that was less severe in the gradient stakes but was longer and more open leaving you to the mercy of the wind. It favoured less pure climbers and more powerful riders...especially those who favoured a bit of ‘testing’.
The HQ moved to a scout hut in Shoreham near to the Mill Hill climb and once again the organisation was excellent. Unfortunately the decent weather meant that lycra-clad masochists on low profile time machines were not the only ones who thought going up Mill Hill was a ‘good idea’. Mill Hill is narrow with a couple of cattle grids to navigate and riders had to put up with a fair bit of traffic and - for some riders - a group of walkers who walked 5 abreast taking up the entire road...thankfully no incidents ensued and times were expected to be in the region of 8 to 10 minutes.
Tim Wallis was top dog with 7.38.6 (7.38.6!!!) with Rob Douglas (Norwood Paragon) top vet and Juliette Clarke once again first woman. Retro Bikes beat Mitre to first team place but top rides from Mitre grimpeurs Nick Sky, Nigel Foskett, Tom ‘skipper’ Frith, Viv Langley, Mike Bentham and Mike Leonard almost held them off.
All in all an excellent event – well organised, good attendance, a decent prize list and a great atmosphere. I will echo the words of organiser Robin Johnson and say that I hope to see lots more of the Mitre riders there next year competing and helping out with the organising.
Start shedding those excess pounds now...
Report by Bruce Samuel
Photos by Nick Sky (more at pics http://www.flickr.com/photos/nick_sky/sets/72157608356320952/ )
