London's bicycle community were out in force last night for the Rollapaluza urban hill climb event on Swain's Lane.
This narrow road leading through Highgate cemetery up to Highgate village, is one of London's most notorious ascents, hitting an energy-sapping 20% incline at its steepest point.
The route was famously part of a young Wiggo's training routine.
Cycling up it at all is a feat of endurance for all but the serious cyclist, while sprinting from bottom to top in under two minutes is nihilistic.
Simon Warren, author of 100 greatest hill climbs, who was taking part in the event said: "You've got to be plugged in, switched on and focused."
Over 150 entrants queued up to punish themselves in the mountains of North London, with the requisite wackiness in the form of a pretty impressive uni-cycle ascent, a host of determined Brompton riders, and even a couple of commuters on their way home from work with rucksacks still on their backs.
The fastest time was set by Wiggle rider Ben Simmons covering the distance in 1 minute 32.6 putting him into a head to head final with second fastest rider John Storms from the veterans category.
At the finish line there was less than half a bike length between them, with Simmons taking the win.
"I just started slow, and I got the jump on him at the end," Simmons said. "I think there's a prize, but I've got to go to the bottom again to find my girlfriend."
Photos of the 2012 event can be viewed here.
Here's a video of 2011's event, for a little bit of flavour:
Nearly very nasty. Well done on avoiding the accident. Does the car behind the Taxi flash him to say I'm here or let him back in? If they did that...
Not sure the story proves the need for a cycle lane. Given the alleged incident occured at the entrance to a petrol station, any cycle lane would...
The article is correct that the container shortage is unrelated to Brexit. The shortage is due to the European economies locking down during Covid....
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Local_Group I think we're probably covered...
As stated "not the worst I have ever experienced" BUT Herts Police Website agree that it can be considered a close pass (see link in article) . . ....
Quite. Other than subsidised food (not alcohol), which I don't have an issue with, I don't think politicians or councillors should get any...
It is only worth the extra £50 if you think the paint job and flared bars and wider tyres (which you could always add later) are worth that to you ...
That does not sound like a comfortable choice of materials!
In the article it is said 16 front and 21 back spokes pattern, but the specs says 20 and 24!
I love TCR's but as others have pointed out - it's time that Giant invested some R&D in this aging frame to clean up the cockpit area and make...