VC Walcot Open Hill Climb Preview 2013

Sunday’s Open Hill Climb is one of the highlights of our cycling calendar. After all the circuit racing this year it feels good to get back to an event that we’ve been building upon year on year, it’s our 5th edition this year.

There is a certain amount of kudos amongst cycling clubs for those that run well respected and popular time trials and hill climbs; Frome & DW Open 10s, Bristol South CC Burrington Hill Climb, Yoevil CC Open 10s to name but a few. They are our benchmark.

Hill climbs don’t generally attract the numbers a 10 mile time trial can but we’ve pushed hard over the last couple of years to bring our Hill Climb up to the level of Bristol South CC who regularly attract 50+ riders. This year we had 51 pre entries although with late withdrawals it’s looking like maybe 48-49 will make the start. Amongst those 51 are 19 club members, 12 from Bath Uni CC and 4 from Bristol South and of course Rob Gough the current hill champion and course record holder.

Rob’s course record stands at 2mins 43sec and was set back in 2009, he’s come close since and has also won every edition of our hill climb. That’s not to say he hasn’t been challenged though. Last year the chasing pack were just 2-3secs back and this year should see the same. So far the local hill climb spoils have gone to us with Charles Coleman, Tavis Walker and James Coleman walking away with two team prizes last weekend in Devon and Somerset. Those were longer less steep climbs so it’s likely the hill climb crew from Bristol South CC (Glyn Griffiths, Paul Jones,Tom Ilet and Michael Clark) will surely feature strongly on Sunday. We’re expecting the Bath Uni boys to be pushing hard too. 

We have some great prizes and generous sponsors this year as always. Thanks for all the support.

It’s a great spectator affair; just bring yourself and make some noise to cheer the riders on, the fun begins at 2pm on the Avenue near Bath Uni. The best viewing point is outside the entrance to the American museum just before the final ramp up to the finish. We hope to see as many club members there as possible.

If you’d like to help with marshalling on the day please report to Jon Arnold at the sign-on desk to pick up a high-viz bib and get further instructions. Sign-on begins from 12:30pm. Marshal briefing at 1-15pm.

Good luck to everybody!