Exeter Wheelers Hill Climb Festival a success

Local cycling club Exeter Wheelers hosted the city’s first Hill Climb festival on Saturday 19th September.

Cyclists of all ages and abilities took to the challenging 1.2 mile closed road course up to the top of

Stoke woods to celebrate one of the British cycling scene’s proudest traditions; hill climbing!

The big cash prizes of the morning’s open events attracted top riders from across the UK including the

reigning national hill climb champions Dan Evans and Maryka Sennema, plus junior national champion

Harry Luxton and Team Raliegh rider George Pym.

The 100 strong open field helped set many personal bests and a blistering new course record in Dan

Evans (Team Elite/Paul Bethall Electrical) winning time of 4:12.970. 2nd place went to George Pym

(Team Raleigh - GAC) who after riding last week’s Tour of Britain set a time of 4:29.590. Fastest junior

Harry Luxton (RUTrainingToday CC) came in 3rd with an impressive time of 4:30:710.

Maryka Sennema (Paceline RT) was victorious in setting the fastest women’s time of 5:14.660, 2nd place

went to Heidi Viles (Somerset Road Club/The Bicycle Chain) at 5:42.630. Coming in third was University

of Exeter student Emma Cockcroft (BikeShed UEx) 5:44.550.

The children’s go-ride competition offered the next generation of cyclists their first go at racing on a safe

closed road course. Children from under 16 to as young as 6 took to the challenge, with medals awarded

to the top 3 riders from each age category; Exeter has surely gained some future stars.

The afternoon’s team charity event saw 14 teams of 3 riders from local cycling clubs and Exeter based

businesses Thomson Reuter, Ashford’s Solicitors and The Met Office set their fastest combined times.

Each team’s entry helped raise over £350 for local charity Exeter Deaf Academy.

Thomson Reuters set the fastest team time with a 5:34.540, the team event also promised more than the

glory of setting the fastest time; spot prizes and a special prize draw including a 72 pint barrel of beer

donated by Exeter Brewery gave the riders a great excuse to get involved with the event. Feedback from

the event has been overwhelmingly positive ‘A brilliant event and fantastically organised. Please pass on

huge thanks to all marshals etc who were super friendly and brilliantly efficient. A great atmosphere all

day.’ Exeter Wheelers plan to run the Hillclimb festival again next year on the same course.

Special thanks goes to festival sponsors, Michelmores, Skirmish Paintball, Interserve, East Devon

Sports Therapy, Exeter Brewery and charity partner Exeter Royal Academy for Deaf Education.

All images courtesy of Ann Owens