Falling leaves, misty mornings, the smell of bonfires… must be hillclimb season. There's nothing quite like binning yourself up a hill in the pursuit of glory, leaving your dignity and lung lining somewhere on the climb. We're not sure whether that's a good or bad thing. Anyway, four West Country clubs have teamed up to offer a weekend of competition, with events in the morning and afternoon of Sat 6 and Sun 7 October.
First up it's Chippenham Wheelers, who kick things off with a Saturday morning climb of Bowden Hill near the picturesque village of Lacock. It's about a mile climb to the top with a kick in the middle, and it'll be a good leg stretcher. After that it's time to hotfoot it over to near Junction 18 of the M4 and join Severn Road Club, for a go up Hinton Hill in the afternoon. Half a mile long and steepening to 14% it's a short and stiff test.
Sunday brings the action to Bath, with the morning climb an ascent of The Avenue from Claverton to Bath University courtesy of VC Walcot. Half a mile of reasonably steady (or relentless, depending on your mood) 10% awaits you. Finally it's a short hop out to Wellow, south of the city, to have a go at the final event of the four, Cadence-Cannondale RT's round up the other Hinton Hill, just over half a mile from bottom to top with a soul-sapping straight section of 16% in the middle.
You can enter any or all of the events at www.ctt.org.uk and there'll be prizes on offer; VC Walcot have lined up schwag from local bike shops Avon Valley, Green Park Bike Station and John's Bikes, city centre bike freiendly hangout The Society Cafe and musette-meisters iL Soigneur and there'll be stuff to win at the others too. Why not give it a go?
