Last weekend the University of York Cycling Club’s hill climbers travelled to the Peak District to push the limits of their pain thresholds. York produced a sterling display of grit and determination, to finish 17th in the overall team competition, with some superb individual performances. Jessica Taylor relates the club’s experiences.
“Despite a rather concerning snow shower on Friday evening, the team were in good spirit to tackle the famous Curbar gap hill climb just south of Sheffield. After a brief Saturday morning wrestle, somehow we managed to cram six cyclists and their bikes plus several pairs of wheels into two cars. Setting off with half the team cuddling various bike parts!
“Upon arrival it was clear to see that cycling is becoming more and more popular, especially as a BUCS sport. With 205 cyclists on the start sheet, this was now the biggest hill climb in the country almost doubling the national hill climb entries of the following day.
“For those who don’t know the concept of a cycling hill climb; it mainly involves excruciating pain for a sustained amount of time. Riders set off individually a minute apart and are timed up a climb, the distance and altitude varies according to the course. Curbar gap has long been used as the BUCS course and for good reason; it is a real test of fitness and skill! Not only is it long at over 2km, the first 500m and the last few hundred metres are at gradients over 10% with an overall average of 7.1%, leaving no respite at all. In just over a mile the climb gains 160m in altitude, giving a magnificent view over the valley below – if you are still conscious! The course record set some time back is held by the prolific Jeff Wright who managed to climb this hill in 4 minutes and 50 seconds; although anything under 8 minutes is highly respectable. The chances of any rider going sub five minutes are pretty small.
“The favourites were of course the teams of Loughborough, Leeds Met, Durham, Cambridge and Oxford. All having two full teams present and very impractical team buses for the small winding roads of the peak district! With five riders entered we had the ability to pick the best three times to make up our team score. Considering York lacks somewhat in hills, the main aim of this trip was to have a strong presence and improve significantly on last years’ solo entry!
“As soon as we arrived the team decided to reccy the course, for those who were not familiar with its gruelling gradient. All five came back in one piece and looking quite optimistic. Although our newest recruit, Paddy, had a look of severe shock on his face as the realisation of what he had let himself in for finally kicked in. As team soigneur for the day, I organised the team with their start times, issuing several threats for any rider who was not ready on the start line for their start time. In the hope that five men could manage to pin on their numbers, eat, drink and warm up without any assistance I then walked to the top of the hill armed with several litres of water and everyone’s’ full winter wardrobe! To give you some idea of the length – it took me 17 minutes at a brisk pace to walk to the top, which did in fact beat the slowest ladies time! Although I am hoping a mechanical was to blame for that.
“Neil was our first starter, with a start time of 13.20, by which all 45 girls has posted some amazing times and the pressure was on! On the run up to the day, he had been climbing strong, despite his six foot six stature being more suited to the sprinting side of the sport! He came over the hill in 7 minutes 45, not being caught by his minute man and looking in good sorts compared to the previous rider who was currently regurgitating his breakfast on the other side of the road. I felt a little more at ease now that our first rider had made it and was waiting eagerly for Paddy to emerge from around the bend. I could hear Sheffield, the hosting club, yelling from the corner below and could see the look of shear pain as he took on the final kick of the summit. Luckily Neil had recovered enough to catch Paddy before he collapsed still attached to his bike; a converted rower who knew exactly how to push his body to the limit; posting another amazing time of 7 minutes 38 seconds in his first ever bike race.
“Our next rider, Greg, was looking to beat his PB of 7 minutes 30 and the 7 minute mark. I could hear Greg’s name being shouted by numerous supporters collected over the past seven years of BUCS cycling events and he was looking strong as he overtook the man who had started a minute in front of him. This gave him an extra boost as he clawed his way over the summit managing to continue up the hill past the finish line! Our first sub 7 minute time of 6:56.
“Despite the bitter coldness, the full two kilometres was lined with spectators encouraging every rider, at the top the Sheffield Cycling Club committee were running the last 50 metres with riders screaming Allez! Allez! Allez! in true Tour de France Alpe d’Huez style. Meanwhile our fourth rider and second fresher, Gabriel, was on the start line. Neil, Paddy and Greg had spread out along the course and were ready to give him that extra support as his legs began to scream. I was beginning to get a little apprehensive when the gap between him and the previous rider had reached a minute; this was until I realised the previous rider was professional Jake Hales who had posted the winning time of 5 minutes 42 seconds. Gabriel soon resurfaced, out of the saddle giving it his absolute all. He came over the line at 7 minutes 9 seconds. Although it was another 25 minutes before he managed to get back to his feet, just in time to cheer our final rider over the line.
“Jamie, who had a slight home advantage of living around six miles away, was keen to beat his personal best and also give Greg a run for his money. This was a tough call with four really good times already on the board and the English equivalent of an alpine pass in front of him. Luckily Jamie had the whole team behind him, Paddy whose red bull has finally kicked in was on the second section running along side him, Neil and Greg waited on the final bend where the lactic acid really kicked in and the gradient lifts to over ten percent for the second time. Gabriel, who had managed to clamber back on his bike, and I were yelling as loud as we possibly could from over the finish line as Jamie sat and grinded up the final section in an impressively low gear. Powering over the line, he looked to have posted a really strong time. The timekeeper confirmed this giving his official time as 6 minutes 51 seconds!
“After a substantially shorter descent, we headed for the pub in true student style. Numbers were exchanged for beer tokens and there was time to befriend the competition before the results board was revealed. It was clear to see that the standard of climbers had significantly improved with the winner of the Ladies category posting a time of 7:17. The team competition however was the most sought after, it was a welcome surprise when the Men’s team prize went to Sheffield with a cumulative time of 18:05, taking Loughborough by shock who were second with 18:14 and Leeds in third with 18:31.
“York posted a cumulative team time of 20:57 to come 17th. A really promising result, with the new developments and a growing club, I am sure they will be in the top ten teams next year and soon taking on the big sporting universities.
“Of course at the cycling club it is not in us to take things too seriously; the guys decided they hadn’t quite done enough for the day and cycled back to Jamie’s parents who were waiting with substantial amounts of food. Meanwhile the team cars (a rather battered Suzuki Alto and a borrowed estate!) followed the entourage of Loughborough’s executive coaches. An evening of Fresh Meat, Star wars and alcohol in front of the fire made for a perfect celebration!”
Allez UYCC!