Catford Hill Climb Classic

'The Oldest Continuing Cycle Race in the World'

This prestigious event goes all the way back to 1886 and, with the exception of the war years, has been run ever since. The 2014 Hill Climb will take place on Sunday 12th October; 9:30am start. Entry close on 5th October. Prior to the formation of the RTTC (governing body) it was considered to be the ‘Championship of All England’ and still attracts the very leading 'Hill-Climb' riders from all over the country, be they professionals or amateurs.

The challenge is Yorks Hill (click for map) a 707 yard climb with an average gradient of 12.5%, with two stretches of 25% which requires an all-out lung bursting effort to get up the climb. The current record of 1 minute 47.6 seconds was set by Phil Mason (San Fairy Ann CC) in 1983 and despite the inducement of various special prizes has not been broken for 31 years!

This is not only a sporting spectacle viewed by many hundreds but is also a social occasion providing an opportunity for an annual cyclist's 'get together'.

Bring the sunshine with you if you are coming along and please be civil to any residents or drivers in the area as we have to put in a lot of work and meetings with local residents association to get the Road Closure and appease the Council, any conflict will only threaten the future of the event.
150 Riders off from 9:30am to 12:00 noon
Above all enjoy yourselves :D
Cheers
Steve

I may do the double and watch this then David Millar doing Bec HC later in the day.

I reminded myself how tough Yorks is last weekend.

Hoping to ride to this with the GF and infant in tow.

Fair play to you

I'm off at 11:26 if anyone wants to give me a push half way up. My minute man is Simon Warren of 100 Climbs fame!

Anyone keen to ride out?

Yes, in principle, riding from SE23 - however, as I'll have done an overnight ride to Felpham tonight, for which the weather forecast promises rain, hail and thunder, I may end up give this an accidental miss by sleeping in on Sunday.

Bad weather bedwetter? ;P

Just kidding, I quite understand.

There doesn't seem to be any great appetite for it yet. I'm coming from E5 so we could meet up somewhere en route, although I will be plotting my route to avoid hills as much as possible. :)

Well, I've been watching the thunderstorms down in the south this evening - should be fun climbing over the south downs in the morning!

See you all there, I will be the tall bald git with a camera around my neck :)

Photos up on Flickr for the Catford CC Hill Climb https://www.flickr.com/photos/fixedwheelnut/sets/72157648750711395

Nice pics - the guy that won was riding fixed, on a bike that weighed 4.7kg!

Yeah I am sure I heard him say it was 39 x 20 or 19 53"-55" has always been the winning gear of choice for fixed gear riders all though I think Max Pendleton went as high as 67" in his day

help the bec hill climb https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/2015-bec-hill-climb#/story

Catford CC Hill Climb this Sunday 11th October from 9:30am onwards, Yorks Hill at end of Nightingale Lane, Goathurst Common, Sevenoaks.

Plus the Bec CC Hil Climb in the afternoon at White Lane,Tatsfield/ Titsey

:)

is @umop3pisdn racing? I'll come heckle ..

I'm off at 11:31. Don't think Andy is racing these, he's got some up north if I remember correctly. My start time for Bec is 15:07 if you're feeling particularly generous with your cheering / jeering.

Hoping to head out to the Bec CC Hill Climb again this year.

I am unfortunately otherwise engaged, next year though...

@amey Hillclimbs are genuinely a great event to spectate and they don't get bigger than the Catford so it's definitely worth going if you can.

will spectate, its only 50 mins from my new place ;)

Yorkshill can >>>>>>>> you're all insane. I hate that road. Good luck!

Don't forget your