It was a 100% turnout for the 31 strong field in the Allen Valley Velo Hill Climb out of Allendale on Sunday morning.

The 2.5 mile climb starts at the Thornley Gate crossroads on the western outskirts of the town and heads south, climbing steadily up onto the moors.

The bottom section of the climb was quite sheltered, but as soon as the riders got beyond the tree line, they were met with a brutal block headway as they rode towards the finish line.  Spinning an easier gear and inching towards the finish line seemed to be the order of the day, particularly for the lighter weight riders.

Affectionately known as “Grandad Watts” amongst his friends and fellow riders, veteran rider Colin Atkinson of Muckle CC who started as scratch rider, was delighted to take the win in 11:02.0, a mere 1 second outside of the course record.

Colin said after the event: “The pressure was on today with being last rider off, so I’m very pleased to have got that top spot.  I’ve only ever won one open hill climb before, and that was back in 2019 on the Silverhills climb.  The wind today made it so tough, especially when it turned into what felt like a block head-wind.  I’m pleased the way my season is going – great training sessions by my coach Pete Hawkins of Upshift Velo who keeps things interesting and I’m getting the results.  The guys at my Club Muckle CC push each other every week in our hill sessions.  Roll on the remaining hill climbs in the calendar, especially Nationals in Wales”.

Topping the positions for the females was Sarah Wilkinson of Blaydon CC in 13:06.7, a mere .7 of a second outside of the course record which she set in this event in 2021.  Sarah is also down to ride in this year’s Nationals, and having already scoped out the Old Shoe course in a recce recently, she readily admits it’s going to be a tough one!

Euan Dinning of Gosforth CC took the win for the Junior riders today, in doing so, he claimed a new Junior course record in a time of 12:01.0, taking 2:17 off the previous best.