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| 2010 Catford Hill Climb Winner (15 years old!) via BRR |
Blurb from the Catford website....
'The oldest continuing cycle race in the world'
This prestigious event goes back to 1886 and, with the exception of the war years, has been run ever since. Traditionally on the first Sunday in October. prior to the formation of the RTTC it was considered to be the ‘Championship of All England’ and still attracts the leading 'Hill-Climb' riders from all over the country.
The challenge is Yorks Hill (click for map) a 707yd climb with an average gradient of 12.5%, with two stretches of 25%. Needing an all-out lung bursting effort. The current record of 1min 47.6 was set by Phil Mason (San Fairy Ann CC) in 1983 and despite the inducement of a special prize has not been broken in 19 years!
This is not only a sporting spectacle viewed by hundreds but is also a social occasion providing an opportunity for an annual cyclist's 'get together'.
The Brighton Mitre Hill Climbs on Saturday, together with the Catford CC Hill Climb Classic on Sunday morning and the Bec CC Hill Climb on Sunday afternoon form the ‘4 Hills Competition’ with a prize for the best overall placing in the four events. This guarantees a good weekend's racing and makes it a worthwhile trip.
BTW there is a SA version on Willunga run by Kilkenny Cycling Club. FS
