National Hill Climb (Run on the Bank)

The Mills of Matlock World Heritage site in the Derwent Valley


First week off racing so with Fiona's permission I rode out to see the National Hill Climb on Sunday in Matlock after a day in the garden potting up my geraniums for the winter, well I only rode from Derby as it was raining when I left Leicester although the forecast for later in the day was bright and sunny but It wouldn't be the first time they got it wrong this year.
Took me old winter fixed bike to try and blend in, hill climbing is a bit of a dark art, all those anti gravity tablets and riders with less fat than a whippets tail who come out of the dark recesses of the bunch as soon as the roads go uphill. Last one I'd been to watch won by Daryl Webster some time in the early 80's but this year a bit of an open race with it being on a 'climbers' hill (as opposed to a 'roadmans') just over 800m of gradually steepening tarmac that started 50 yards off the main street in the centre of Matlock on Bank Road.


No easy start, a brick behind the back wheel and straight into the climb, it was about 50/50 those that favoured traditional 'fixed' as opposed to 'modern' gears
As soon as I arrived I was accosted by a spectator "I'm in the South Western" a face I did not recognise but up for the day on the train and we spent the afternoon together,. He was a bit of a hill climb aficionado having done a bit of racing and seen quite a few Nationals (yes he'd see all of Daryl Websters wins - 4 in total 1983-86) He knew all the classic climbs Beeley - Curbar - Pea Royd Lane - Monsal Head - Holm Moss and the gearing and quite a bit of the form of the riders so I let him talk me through the event as the last time I rode a hill climb was probably back in the 70's on Ranmore, this 13 and a half stone baby is not prepared to put himself through this kind of pain for public consumption but it does make a wonderful spectacle as the riders grind and puff their way up the hill in slow motion. There was a crowd of several thousand with whistles and horns and shouts to encourage every rider up to the finish line, several riders were caught before halfway and nearly everybody took it seriously. There were quite a few riders out in their 'civvies' hard to recognise without helmet and glasses (if you know what they look like at all) I had a chat with Barry (Baz) Charlton one of the fastest solo/trike riders in the country, we compared seasons, he said he would be getting more into road racing next year, great I thought another potential competitor out the way or until the novelty wears off!!

Chris Myhill 1st Vets 40-45 (1.10.7) 2.46.5


The sun came out and our side of the valley was bathed in a bit of late summer warmth, the early starters (of a field of 150) had gone and I'd missed Bill Bell (Gemini BC) the Southern tip but he was 2nd fastest at half way (58.4) and fastest to the top so far with 2.25.4. His time was to hold out until the final 10 riders as 5 time winner 'Gentleman' Jim Henderson (Southport CC) could not topple him with(1.6.3) 2.26.5, Matt Clinton (Mike Vaughan) made a fantastic finish after being slower at the midway (1.3.2) to record 2.24.2, and all that remained was for defending champion James Dobbin (Artic RC) to blow his chances with a ride outside the top 20 after breaking his crank in the warm up and riding on a borrowed bike (& shoes!) Dave Griffiths was the unlucky one to miss out on a medal in 4th (1.8.0) 2.29.6 Lewis Cowley (Plan B) 5th 2.30.2 the only other rider inside a minute at half way (58.1).Blackburn & Dist.CTC won the team prize led by the first Junior Adam Pinder 8th (1.12.6) 2.34.6

Champion Matt Clinton rode (42 x 20) 55.8" fixed gear

Dave Clarke - Lacuna(For Sale) 6th (1.9.3) 2.31.0

James Dobbin 21st (1.10.6) 2.45.3

Medal Winners and Full Result