Cragg Vale Hillclimb (Yorkshire RC) Sunday 19th October 2014

Report by Dave Grogan

4 ABC riders faced the timekeeper in this year’s Yorkshire RC Cragg Vale hillclimb. They were Dave Grogan, Gary Lake, Nick Holmes and Louis Szymanski. We were spread over 7 minutes on the start sheet so there was always a good chance that at least one of us would get caught by a team member. It had been well forecasted that a gale force southwesterly headwind would greet us and we were not to be disappointed! On the plus side it was mild and the rain held off during the event (almost!)

The starting order was Gary (No 41), Nick (No 43), Dave (No 45) and Louis (No 48). I had ridden to the start with Gary with a superb tailwind and had the traditional stop for a coffee at the Watergate café in Hebden. The strength of the wind was apparent as we flew out down the valley. After leaving the timekeeper, the first few miles to Cragg village were not too bad as the road was a bit sheltered but I still managed to be caught by my minute man in less than 2 miles. Not long after Cragg village my 2 and 3 minute men came past, the last one being Louis making it look easy! Just before Louis caught me I managed to catch Nick, the only rider I caught in the event.

Once past Cragg village the wind became a proper gale and I was down to a gear of 39x 21 and then 39×24 for the last few miles. I’ve been up Widdop in a bigger gear than this! My back was aching and I was struggling to keep any type of rhythm going but I kept telling myself it was the same for all the riders. The finish seemed an eternity away and it was great to reach it. To keep my Cragg total on track I needed to ride to the end of the road to the junction.

Back at the HQ we all commented on the ferocity of the wind and the slow times. Louis managed 21mins 9s for 7th place, Gary 26mins 5s, Me 26mins 45s and Nick 30mins 29s. The winner was Henry King from Ilkley CC who stormed up in an unbelievable 18mins 53s. Gary was over the moon when he realised he had beat me (for the first time) and so I may need to ride again to see if I can even things up!! I also stand a chance of winning the Vet 60+ cat if I ride next year.

In line with tradition, me, Gary and Nick rode back up Cragg after the event into that headwind again at a slightly slower pace than in the race. At least my annual Cragg total has gone up by 2 today! Well, its back to hack bikes and touring now after my season finished today – it only started at the beginning of October.