Andrew Feather (HuntBikeWheels.com) and Bexy Dew (Army Cycling) got their hill climb seasons off to a perfect start by setting a new course record in the men’s and women’s events respectively in the Dursley Road Club HC on Saturday.

Former National Hill Climb Champion Feather overcame a nightmare start to beat his own course record by five seconds and finish in a time of four minutes and 20 seconds.

Feather, aged 35, struggled to get his foot into his pedal away from the start line but soon powered up the UH15 climb to take victory by six seconds.

Stouts Hill near Uley in Gloucestershire starts with a flat section before going steeply up to between 13 and 15 per cent gradient.

Two bends are followed by a wooded section which has a consistent 11 to 12 per cent gradient.

Two more sharp bends test riders towards the top before the gradient eases slightly for the finish.

Feather completed his third victory in a row at the event beating Cameron Biddle (Vredestein Basso) into second (4-26) while reigning national champion Ed Laverack (VAMos.CC) took third a further second back.

The team prize went to Sodbury Cycle Sport with James Meaden, James Harrison and Michael Lee combining.

“I had a nightmare start and for the first 200 metres couldn’t clip my foot in the pedal which was just spinning,” said Feather.

“I wondered whether to give up or keep going, but I eventually managed to get my foot in the pedal and pushed on.

“I got another course record again in pretty similar conditions to last year. At some point age will defy me as I’m 35 now and can’t keep improving.”

After winning the Saint Piran 10 last month Dew, aged 27, was taking part in her first open hill climb and knocked 24 seconds off the old course record to post a new time of 5-46.

Emily Kate Walton (Beeston Cycling Club) finished second woman in 6-26 while Josie Vallis (Avid Sport) completed the podium positions clocking 7-29.

* All reports are copyright of Cycling Time Trials/Snowdon Sports. Not to be used without permission.

* A full gallery of images from this event by Kimroy Photography is available here.

Results:

Men:
1 Andrew Feather (HuntBikeWheels.com) 4.20
2 Cameron Biddle (Vredestein Basso) 4.26
3 Ed Laverack (VAMos.CC) 4.27
4 Josh Coyne (Bpm Coaching) 4.50
5 Matt Melville (Cycle Club Basingstoke) 4.59
6 Ellis Pullinger (Rugby Velo) 5.00
7 Robert McPherson (Saint Piran) 5.11
8 Charlie Lacaille (University of Bristol Cycling Club) 5.13
9 James Meaden (Sodbury Cycle Sport) 5.14
=10 Tom Williams (Webbs 1902 CC) 5.18
=10 Harvey Thomas (Bristol Road Club) 5.18

Women:
1 Bexy Dew (Army Cycling) 5.46
2 Emily Kate Walton (Beeston Cycling Club) 6.26
3 Josie Vallis (Avid Sport) 7.29