By Ian Bailey – Edited by Mike Lloyd
On the Sunday 2nd October the Merseyside Wheelers / Southport Cycling Club Inter Club Hill Climb took place once again on the 1.7 mile Ashurst Beacon course. Those involved were greeted with near perfect conditions with a dry, sunny and windless autumn day.
Riders were able to sign on from 11am and the first rider was off at 11.36am. On the day 34 riders challenged themselves to try to be the fastest up from the start at Lees Lane to the Prince William Pub. Not the steepest hill climbing course at an average of 4.6% gradient but longer than many hills local to Lancashire and nearest to Southport Ashurst Beacon provides an excellent backdrop and safe riding conditions for the trial.
Timekeepers Southport’s Bill Lloyd and Stuart Dale from Prescot Eagles CC voluntarily oversaw the event together with course marshals from both Merseyside Wheelers and Southport Cycling Club. Eleven clubs were represented on the day with Southport fielding 12 competitors including a great number of junior and youth riders.
Thomas Hanlon from Harry Middleton CC took first place with a time of 6’03”40” second fastest was Daniel Gibson of Inspire VC UK in 6’25”10” closely followed by Joe Hanlon again from HMCC in 6’26”30”. Neil Wright was once again the fastest rider from Southport CC with a time of 6’40”, winning the SCC Hill Climb Trophy for the second year on the run. Fastest woman was Helen Aldred from Liverpool Phoenix CC in 7’28”40” heading up the five lady finishers on the day including a fantastic effort by Isabelle Mackinnon from Southport CC who posted the fastest Junior girl’s time of 9’35”50”. Fastest junior was Liam Keefe also from Southport CC with a time of 7’45”00’.
Well done to all the riders, marshals and well wishers who came to watch and enjoy this great traditional yearly event, chapeau!
