Abi Plowman (Alba Development Road Team) took the women’s victory by three tenths of a second in the GS Metro hill climb event at Hedley on the Hill, while Andrew Feather (HuntBikeWheels.com) won the open event.               

Plowman, aged 25, made it a weekend double having won the Velo Club Cumbria event on Whinlatter the previous day.

However, she was pushed all the way in the women’s event with her winning time of 5-28.1 narrowly quicker than Rachel Galler (FTP Fulfil the Potential Race Team) in 5-28.4.

The 1.1-mile-long climb starts near the junction with New Ridley Road and finishes near Hedley on the Hill. The climb has an average gradient of 7.5% and was used for the 2017 National Hill Climb Championships.

The course records were set on that occasion by Dan Evans (3-54) and Jos Lowden (4-53) and still remain in place.

The 2024 edition of the GS Metro hill climb was held as a tribute to club member Neil Souter who sadly passed away in August after a short battle with Pancreatic cancer, aged just 43.

Several riders also took advantage of the trip to Northumberland to recce the National Hill Climb Championships held on the nearby Dipton Mill Road outside Hexham next month.

Behind the battle for victory in the women’s event was quickest veteran Sarah Wilkinson (Blaydon CC) whose time of 5-57 was good enough for third woman overall.

Quickest female youth rider was Edith Shaw (Tyneside Vagabonds CC) who covered the course in 8-15.         

“I felt strong on the climb today, and it was a lovely event in memory of a much-loved club member,” said Plowman.

“There was a close battle for the win too, and a good excuse to go and recce the nationals course afterwards.

“It was a chilly morning, definitely a day for longs and gloves on the warm-up, but thankfully no torrential rain like we had yesterday at Whinlatter.”

National Hill Climb Champion Feather, aged 39, also took his second victory of the weekend after winning the Otley CC two-stage hill climb overall the previous day.

Feather took his fourth open hill climb victory from five rides in a time of 4-12.

Andy Cunningham (Ilkley CC) has won seven open hill climbs this season but had to settle for runner-up on this occasion two seconds back in (4-14).

Completing the open podium positions was Marcus Cram (Muckle Cycle Club) who finished third in 4-15.

Meanwhile, fellow Muckle Cycle Club rider Colin Atkinson finished quickest veteran on scratch with his 4-47 good enough for seventh overall.                          

 “There was a good, strong field and quite a slow day in terms of times due to a headwind,” said Feather.

“I was 20 seconds off Dan Evans from the 2017 Nationals so it was a slow day. On Saturday I did two really hard efforts (at the Otley CC two-stage hill climb) so I wasn’t fresh today.

“When the climb is not a steep one, I'm not quite as competitive as I'm not as aerodynamic and it was a shallower climb today.

“It is good to do different climbs and challenge myself. It was also a good climb to do for a recce of the national. I combined the two which was good.”

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

Results

1             Andrew                Feather               HuntBikeWheels.com 04:12.3               

2             Andy     Cunningham     Ilkley CC             04:14.4               

3             Marcus Cram    Muckle Cycle Club         04:15.7               

4             Alexander          Storey  GS Metro            04:26.7               

5             Adam   Pinder  Muckle Cycle Club         04:35.9               

6             Andy     Richardson        Muckle Cycle Club         04:44.2               

7             Colin     Atkinson             Muckle Cycle Club         04:47.4               

8             Jonathan             Bayley  Reifen Racing   04:53.7               

9             Matthew             Smith   Muckle Cycle Club         05:02.4               

10           Andrew                Laidler Sitwell Cycling Club      05:05.7               

Veteran: Colin  Atkinson             Muckle Cycle Club         04:47.4

Women
1 Abi Plowman Alba Development Road Team 05:28.1               
2 Rachel Galler               FTP ( Fulfil The Potential ) Race Team    05:28.4
3 Sarah Wilkinson           Blaydon CC       05:57.9
4 Elspeth            Chatto Blaydon CC       06:27.2
5 Joanne             Rea        Team Boompods             06:39.7
6 Nicki Murphy Wearside Triathlon        07:10.0               
7 Teri     Bayliss Reifen Racing   07:15.3
8 Sarah Allen     Outlands            07:47.4               
9 Heather           Witham               Blaydon CC       08:06.4
10 Edith               Shaw    Tyneside Vagabonds CC             08:15.5
11 Tracey           Sample               Alnwick & District Triathlon Club            10:50.2

Veteran: Sarah Wilkinson           Blaydon CC       05:57.9

Youth: Edith       Shaw    Tyneside Vagabonds CC             08:15.5