Exeter Wheelers Bike Shed Hill Climb Festival

If you went anywhere near Stoke Woods on Saturday, you might have seen a lot of cyclists - it was the day of Exeter Wheelers Cycling Club's annual Hill Climb Festival. Sponsored by The Bike Shed, the day featured three separate races on Pennsylvania Road. This 1.2-mile hill has been where Exeter Wheelers have staged their hill climb for many years. For the past two years, the race has benefited from being staged on a closed road: not only does this encourage more riders and spectators to come along, but it means that riders of all ages can pit their bodies against the testing hill in complete safety.

The first race of the day was the Bike Shed Open Hill Climb, for club cyclists from all over the country. For the second year in a row, the race was won by two National Hill Climb champions: in the women's race, Maryka Sennema won in 5'19", and in the men's race Dan Evans won in 4'19", on a day when the wind played a significant role. In total nearly 90 riders took part, with real strength in depth: times that would have gained a podium place a few years ago were halfway down the field in this year's event.

Next in the programme came the children's Go-Ride races: over twenty young riders took part, many from Exeter Wheelers Academy.  The young riders raced up half the hill - the top three for each age group won medals and everyone cycled away with a certificate but most importantly and smile on their faces, with the youngest rider being just five years old!

After the children's race came the charity event, which was open to all riders. It was first year the club had organised a Come & Try hill climb in support of Force Cancer Charity and it was a huge success with over 40 cyclists taking part. The event was kicked off by co-organiser Stuart Pollard in the true spirit of fun and endeavour that characterised the event. He completed the climb carrying his two young daughters in tow in an admirable time of just 8.22. The fastest time recorded was 5.25 by the youngest contestant, 14 year old, Sam Jeffries. Beer presentation packs, generously donated by Exeter Brewery where handed out to cyclists who came closest to times contained within sealed envelopes. The good natured fun atmosphere at the prize giving finished off the day perfectly. The biggest winners of the event were cycling and Force Cancer Charity.

Exeter Wheelers are very grateful to so many people for making this happen, but especially the major sponsorship from The Bike Shed, South West Highways for generously supporting the event with their signage, and Skirmish Paintball for helping make the day run smoothly.

Watch out for the 2017 hill climb! 23 September will be the date!