R1 BBR Opticians Hill Climb Series: Paramount CRT Asterton Bank climb

Thanks to Chris Riley for contributions to this report

The 2023 BBR Opticians Hill Climb Series got off to a fabulous start with a new climb added to the Series by Paramount CRT – the ominous Asterton Bank. Consensus was unanimous amongst the 23 riders that this was a brilliant opener to the Series, with some ding dong battles between old rivals and club mates despite proving a complicated race to organise and an even tougher one for competitors to ride with the slowest rider on the night coming in well under ten minutes showing the quality of the field. The narrow road was wetted enough by a passing shower 10 minutes before the start to see wheels slipping and riders lose purchase on the unforgiving gradients, particularly negotiating the slippery lower cattle grid.

Alternatively known as The Portway, riders faced a leg buckling 26% left-hand bend near the bottom with further kicks thrown in, with the 0.63 mile course averaging a lung-busting 17%. Offering some of the finest scenery in Shropshire, riders were too busy seeing stars to take in the view whilst in competition. Won by Solihull CC’s David Fellows by a narrow two seconds in a close battle with Mule CC’s Dave Scott; Fellows took the Overall win in 5 minutes 6 seconds on a climb he knows from training. Training and racing on the rivet are two entirely different experiences however, and Fellows knew he had been in a race with Scott breathing down his neck: “It’s a climb I’ve done a few times before just in riding and I always thought it’d be great for an event so I couldn’t pass on coming along. Paramount did a great job with the marshalling, I didn’t count them but I reckon there were 10 marshals at the side of the road – kudos to them. It’s not a tough climb to get right – one gear, one power and go. It rained about 10 minutes before the start which meant an emergency loss of tyre pressure was required as the road surface is not only bumpy but it was now slippery as well. I knew Dave Scott was in good form and it would be close between us. I did what I wanted to do for the most part – until I died on the right hand bend towards the top; but I managed to hold on – just! It’s certainly a climb worthy of national course status one day, especially with that view”.

Scott took the maximum 20 points on offer for County riders with a fine 5:08, pushing out another Solihull CC rider James Pearce into third clocking 5:31, with Solihull riders making the journey worthwhile after Pearce beat his club mate Oliver Tandy into fourth by six seconds. Scott revealed that the climb was the type he likes the best – short, sharp and requiring an explosive effort: “I loved the climb; it really suits me, quite short and steep. I held a little bit too much back for the top and was coming back quick on David’s time but left it a little late. Chapeau to him on the effort; and to everyone else who took part, it’s not for the faint hearted”!

Hill climbs favour lighter riders, so are particularly suitable for Juniors; but young upstart Ben Southgate showed his club mates a thing or two about riding steep gradients being fastest junior in fifth place Overall, stopping the watch on 5:57, an incredible performance that saw him beat last year’s Series winner and Wrekinsport team mate Tomos Hales by one second to take the County runner-up spot. Southgate took the climb in his stride and taunted his compatriot and minute man Phil Roberts in the final meters to the line with a big grin on his face in an ongoing season-long friendly rivalry, clearly enjoying having the upper hand for once. Southgate beat Paramount’s Chester Romei by 41 seconds to take the early lead in the BBR Junior Series and was keen to have another go, stating: “I enjoyed the course a lot,  and it was very well organised, I would definitely do it again”.

The women’s race was set on fire by Sara Willhoit riding for Paramount CRT who crossed the line in 6:07. She took a prized win of 18 seconds from double National Hill Climb podium medallist Rebecca Richardson, who despite coming back from injury put in a solid performance. Third fastest women was another Paramount rider Becky Griffiths who beat last years Series winner and club mate Hayley Wells by a mere three seconds in 7:51. Willhoit had done her homework before the event, and gave a revealing insight into her preparation and race: “We reconnoitred the climb the week before, it gave us the inside scoop on how to tackle it like a pro. At the start, I intentionally didn’t pump the tyres and hoped they met a sweet spot between traction and stability. I went Marie Kondo on the bike; ditching the Garmin mount and rear mud guard. The forecast was sunshine; however we spent lots of time discussing the rain and wet conditions whilst mentally wishing the rain away. Because this is such a short course, I felt the effort should be hard from the start. I was ready to fly off that line, but had in the back of my mind the cattle grid, and the first corner and greasy steep section. So, I kicked off with a solid pace to keep momentum whilst aiming to avoid wheel spin. A kink in the road marked the halfway point. It was like a checkpoint to gauge feel and a cue to keep up the effort on to the final corner and finish straight. I switched the stance around a little, when the gradient eased off I sat down but it was hard to judge if this was the right thing to do or if standing would be faster. I felt the burn after the first steep climb at the bottom, but the most painful part was about five minutes after the finish – lungs and gums. Biggest bonus was to be out racing with a very strong female field”.

John Woodward of Mid Shropshire Wheelers was the fastest veteran rider in 9th place with a storming ride of 6:23, beating Paramount’s Simon Romei by 26 seconds, and who had to endure son Chester enjoying the rare pleasure of beating his dad by a healthy 11 second margin. Woodward enjoyed the event as well as the instant classic nature of the course, commenting: ”What a great climb to start the season on! It went well enough for the first outing. Massive thanks to Paramount for their support and marshalling, it was next level! I’m looking forward to doing a few more hopefully”. Watch out for John when he comes up against last year’s series winner Steven Prince over the course of the next few weeks.

Full:

Veterans on Actual:

Women:

Juniors: