Feather butchers course record to retain Men’s National Hill-Climb Championship title
Reigning champion Andrew Feather (HuntBikeWheels.com) sliced around 41 seconds from the old course record on his way to a convincing victory in the men’s National Hill-Climb Championship in Cumbria on Sunday.
His time of 11-48 gave him victory by 18 seconds from former course record holder and former national champion Ed Laverack (Backpedal) with third place going to Patrick Clark who led Team Lifting Gear Products to the team prize too.
The event was staged by Lakes Road Club and Barrow Central Wheelers on The Struggle near Ambleside. It was longer than your typical hill-climb at 2.67 miles, and with an average gradient of eight per cent and a maximum gradient of an eye-watering 24 per cent.
“I’m really pleased, I did my best ride and got it all out and it was an amazing atmosphere at the top,” said Feather.
“I had ridden the course lots of times to prepare, but there were so many people at the top I wasn’t sure where the finish line was.
“Conditions were really good. There was no wind and it was pretty still. The forecast was for heavy wind and rain but it changed 24 hours before. The roads were wet so I had my rear tyres down at 55psi, and even with that I was getting some slippage.”
In other categories Hamish Armitt (Barrow Central Wheelers) was best espoir (under-23) rider in 13-17 for sixth overall, while Chris Mann (Velotik RT) and Lee Rosie (Wheelbase) were second and third respectively.
Leon Wright (Pedal Power Loughborough) was fastest in the men’s 40-44 category with a time of 14-20, giving him the win in that age band by just one second from John Bowman (Muckle CC), and Laurie Lambeth (Kendal CC) third.
Phil Stonelake (Bristol Road Club) was quickest in the 45-49 category with a time of 14-45, 17 seconds fastest than runner-up Andy Pearson (Serpentine Running Club) while Steven Prince (Ludlow Brewery RT) was third with 15-47.
The 50-54 category was won by Andrew Metherell (Salt and Sham CC) in 15-59, 27 seconds better than Simon Warren (Norwood Paragon CC), while Karl Norris (360 VRT) was less than a second behind in third.
Colin Atkinson (Muckle CC) clocked 15-12 to win the 55-59 category by 27 seconds from Chris Myhill (Peak RC), with Steve Thomas (Bristol RC) third.
Martin Shaw (Kendal CC) proved fastest in the 60-64 category with a time of 16-46, 17 seconds better than John Flanagan (Moonglu CC), while Bryan Pool (Border City Wheelers) took third in 17-18.
The 65-69 category win was claimed by John Raftery (Otley CC) in 18-31, just two seconds better than Bob Atkinson (Barrow Central Wheelers) with Gordon Simpson (Cowley Road Condors CC) third, 27 seconds off Raftery’s pace.
And Martin Bullen (Peterborough CC) clocked exactly 21 minutes to take the 70-74 category.
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