This years race takes place today, Sunday 6th October, first rider off at 11-01am.
Actually it`s first two riders of at 11-01, they are on a tandem ! Now that is hard work, racing uphill on a tandem.
There are 234 entries for this iconic event which was first held in 1930 when just a few friends rode it. Over the years it slowly grew until more recent years when it`s popularity suddenly seem to explode into the massive event it is today.
We in Barnsley Road Club have two riders representing us this year. Josie (I`ll try owt) Smith who is number 109 starts at 12-49pm and Martin Locke number 112 and starts at 12-52pm.
Best wishes to both riders for a successful and safe ride.
Who will win today ? Going by seedings it will be between Calum Brown, Adam Kenway, Gregg Booker or Gabrial Cullaigh, but you never know who can produce the best ride on the day.
There looks to be a back to side wind blowing up the course (thanks to Chris for his post) so maybe the course record may fall, I think the best ride to date was done by Malcolm Elliott a few years ago, Russ Downing rides today, out of sentiment more than owt, a past winner, I understand he`s retiring after today.
Good luck to everyone.
Results of Hill Climb.
!st Calum Brown (1m 16,0s). 1st Lady Rebecca Richmond (1m 49.9s).
Martin Locke (2m 04.3s).
Josie Smith (2m 24.8s).
Russ Downing`s time for his last race (1m 28.3s). Well done Russ on a brilliant career.
Malc Elliot is still `the Daddy` with his 1981 record time of (1m 14.2).
I have wondered many times over the years what was the time that Barnsley Road Club`s Harrison `Sunny` Bailey did when he rode `Monsal` in the late 1930`s/early 40`s with his long socks, mudguards, wingnuts holding the wheels in. I met him many times in 50`s, 60`s and possibly 70`s, I wish I`d know about the photo in them days. R.I.P Sunny.