R3 BBR Hill Climb Series: Bridgnorth CC Five Chimneys, Hughley Hill Climb

A new SCCA member club and a new Series leader – albeit a familiar one in the shape of Dave Scott of Dave Scott Coaching took the spoils in Round 3 of the BBR Hill Climb Series as Bridgnorth CC promoted their 0.9 mile climb of Five Chimneys, Hughley on one of Shropshire’s oldest and most classic climbs. Scott is the reigning Series Champion, having also won the Series in 2019 and 2023, and took an astonishing and dominant win by nearly 25 seconds from the promoting club’s Tom Herbert in 3 minutes, 35.9 seconds – although 8.8 seconds outside his own course record set the previous year. Scott retook the lead in the BBR Series on the strength of this ride on a course he seems to have made his own, but revealed why that record was maybe just a bridge too far: “Chuffed to win for a third year. By far my favourite climb of the Series with a steady gradient the whole way up – just needs resurfacing for next year so I can beat my course record”!

Whilst Scott’s perception of the course is as a constant, averaging 8%, that’s the view from the start line. But that’s deceptive, as when the course turns into the tree line it begins to rise gently, making the last 150 metres in particular a tough test which can catch riders out – and which was certainly the view of runner-up Herbert, who stopped the watch on 4:10.3: “The course seems forgiving with a consistent gradient beyond the tree line but we all know it isn’t! Having right royally blown half way up last year I tried to keep a lid on the effort until I’d hit the midway point, but ended up undercooking things a bit. I was happy to keep young James Saunders at bay for another year, but I’m not confident that’ll continue as he just keeps getting better. Thanks again to Tim and Gary, who also run the club 10 mile time trial series for another cracking event”!

15 year-old Saunders did indeed push his club mate hard, breathing down his neck to finish in 4:12.8 to finish third ahead of newly signed Dave Scott Coaching rider Jack Young by 2.7 seconds and take the Junior win exactly three seconds faster than his 2024 effort. He commented: “My first hill climb of the season. It was a really tough effort, but good fun, and I’m hoping to do some more to improve my power over shorter durations”.

Heading to the top of the BBR Female Series was 2024 Silver medallist Claire Blackwell-Smyth, who hauled herself up the climb in 6:15.4. Like Herbert, she found the final pedal strokes hard as the course almost makes an almost imperceptive turn skywards to the eye. She did however lament the lack of competition on the night: “Many thanks to Bridgnorth CC for putting on the event. I was reasonably happy with my ride, although I went out too hard and paid the price in the last few meters of the climb when my power deserted me. My time was a few seconds slower than last year, which I think is a reflection of my poor pacing. As lovely as it was to claim the prize as first lady I’d prefer if that wasn’t because I was the only lady”!

With Oswestry Paragon’s Peter Fletcher taking over at the top of the BBR Veterans Series thanks to his runner-up 5:44.4, it was a great effort from Bridgnorth CC’s Dave Allen 42½ seconds ahead with a personal best that took the win. Allen was delighted with his race, commenting: “Great to win the Veterans category with a personal best time out of the last three years I’ve done the event, I paced it right this time”.

Full:

Veterans on Actual:

Females:

Juniors:

Cumulative standings after three rounds

Overall:

Veterans on Actual:

Females:

Juniors: