The curtain fell on both the BBR Opticians Hill Climb Series and the time trialling season in Shropshire with a first-ever promotion for the 12th and final round from Mule CC attracting a bumper field to the Bwlch y Ddar near Llangedwyn. A 35 rider field dodged afternoon showers successfully in an event that saw the six medals in the Series awarded – with 2015 National Hill Climb Champion Richard Bussell representing AeroCoach taking an incredible win of 30 seconds on the 1.26 mile climb. Hill Climbs are usually decided by a handful of seconds, or even fractions of seconds, but Bussell was giving this a full on go whilst tapering in preparation for the closed road National Hill Climb at Llangollen on 30th October which has an incredible 439 strong field.

Bussell was pleased with his 5 minute 26 second effort, and whilst knowing the climb had not raced it in anger, only previously used by in competition by Marches CC in 2018. He stated: “I have never raced the course, though I have ridden up and down it once or twice before socially. It is a beautiful part of the country and the climb is great, with a mix of gradients, though nothing too steep. My last race before the National Championship event, so really it was a test for me to see if the bike was all good and how the legs were”!

Taking the maximum 20 points on offer for affiliated riders Mule CC’s David Scott doubled up his promoting duties with a 5:56 effort, the only other rider to beat the six minute mark. Scott was extremely pleased with Mule’s first promotion, aided by a popular post-race social. He commented: “The event went really well, a brilliant turnout of competitors and spectators too. I’m looking forward to holding the event again next year. Huge thanks to Dave Drew for helping out time keeping. I was very happy with my own performance, knowing the climb well helped, but no match for a phenomenal Richard Bussell”.

Veteran’s Series winner Steven Prince has been going better and better as the Series has progressed and here he took a strong third place overall in 6:38 to show just why he has won that title as well as taking Overall BBR Silver. Prince’s keenness to try a new climb was evident as he travelled up from the south of the County and enjoyed his day out, stating: “It was a great, tough climb and a really well run event, although I didn’t go back for the free chips! Big thanks to Dave Scott and Mule for putting on a new event that hopefully will be the first of many. Incredible time by Rich for the win”!

Jack Young was hoping to do enough to overhaul Alex Hart into the Overall Bronze medal position at the last gasp, but it wasn’t to be as Hart just shaded things by the narrowest of margins – two points. When told he had won Overall Bronze to add to his Junior Gold he commented: “That is fantastic; and an unexpected bonus as I have not been able to do many rounds. I will try and do more of the Series next time, its hard as so many dates clash and my main thing this time of year is Cyclo-cross. A big push is needed to get more riders to try hill climbs, it so much fun. Thank you to all the helpers who give up their time so we can have fun”.

Two medals were outstanding in the Veterans Series, with Chris Riley and Neil Coles sealing Silver and Bronze respectively after Riley finished a strong 9th overall in 7:32 with Coles 12th in 7:57. Both riders have been regular fixtures in this Series, with Riley riding 10 events to Coles’ nine in this best 6 from 12 Series. Riley has thoroughly enjoyed himself, evidenced by his post-race comments: “The BBR Hill Climb Series has been brilliant this year with a whopping 12 races. It was lovely to see all of the hill racers who are regulars on the circuit. Another Silver medal is a lovely way to end the Shropshire season of races, and congratulations to Steven Prince who was awesome in every race I saw him ride”. Coles added: “I have very much enjoyed competing in the BBR Hill Climb Series again against a great, quality field. Many thanks to the organisers for making all the events possible – and an unexpected Bronze Medal is coming my way – yay”!

In the Women’s Series it was great to see former Market Drayton CC rider Alison Dockney in competition, shaping up for a tilt at the National. Now riding for Macclesfield Wheelers, Dockey beat Paramount CRT’s Gwyneth Parry by 26 seconds in a fine 7:33. She enjoyed her trip back to Shropshire, stating: “A great day on a fantastic new climb in a beautiful area. We were very lucky with weather conditions missing the showers through the afternoon. Thanks to Dave Scott and Mule CC for hosting and much appreciated the post-ride chips – definitely one to put on the calendar for next year”.

Parry’s team mate Becky Griffiths did enough to leapfrog Bridgnorth CC’s Robin Jones to take BBR Women’s Bronze thanks to her 9:16 by two points, but was that same two points shy of overhauling Mule CC’s Liz Breeze, who ended the Series with Silver. Breeze commented: “I enjoyed participating. It would be nice to see more ladies taking part in the event; hopefully we can promote and get more next year”. Griffiths added: “Thanks to all the organisers and volunteers putting the hill climbs on. Fingers crossed I’ll make it to a few more next year, and really hope to see more ladies giving it a go”!

That left the final medal to be sealed by Newport Shropshire CC Junior Will Hyde, who captured Junior Bronze.

Result:

Pos’n Name Club Cat Time Points
1 Richard Bussell AeroCoach S 5:26 .
2 David Scott Mule CC S 5:56 20
3 Steven Prince SCCA Private Member V 6:38 18
4 Ryan Oldam Reading CC S 6:47 .
5 Jed Friskney Mule CC S 7:00 16
6 James Davies Mule CC V 7:11 14
7 Jack Young Oswestry Paragon CC S 7:27 12
8 Nathan Smith Fibrax Wrexham RC V 7:31 .
9 Chris Riley Paramount CRT V 7:32 10
10 Alison Dockney Macclesfield Wheelers W 7:33 .
11 Chris Duffner Skinny Tortoise V 7:51 .
12 Neil Coles Oswestry Paragon CC V 7:57 8
13 Gwyneth Parry Paramount CRT W 7:59 6
14 Rob McGregor Paramount CRT S 8:10 4
15 Charlotte Hunter Oswestry Olympians W 8:11 .
16 Chalie Woolcock Oswestry Olympians V 8:14 .
17 Trevor Richards Hafren CC V 8:23 2
18 Sam Firkins Mule CC S 8:29 2
19 Carl Friskney Mule CC V 8:35 2
20 Rob Oliver Mule CC V 8:47 2
21 Jonathan Davies Mule CC V 8:52 2
22 Becky Griffiths Paramount CRT W 9:16 2
23 Clive Bourne Mule CC V 9:20 2
24 Lou Williams Oswestry Olympians WV 9:28 .
25 Simon Collins Bluelight CC V 9:38 .
26 Mark Broster Mule CC S 9:40 2
27 Lee Morgan Mule CC V 9:46 2
28 Steve Jones Mule CC V 9:48 2
29 Mark Williams Mule CC V 9:53 2
30 Robert Freeman Mule CC V 10:30 2
31 John Williams Mule CC V 10:46 2
32 Claire Smyth Paramount CRT WV 11:10 2
33 Troy Rimmell Mule CC S 11:18 2
34 Andrew Perry Mule CC V 11:53 2
35 Jonathan Thomson Mule CC V 12:15 2

Veterans on Actual:

Vets Pos’n Name Club Cat Time Vets Points
1 Steven Prince SCCA Private Member V 6:38 20
2 James Davies Mule CC V 7:11 18
3 Nathan Smith Fibrax Wrexham RC V 7:31 .
4 Chris Riley Paramount CRT V 7:32 16
5 Chris Duffner Skinny Tortoise V 7:51 .
6 Neil Coles Oswestry Paragon CC V 7:57 14
7 Chalie Woolcock Oswestry Olympians V 8:14 .
8 Trevor Richards Hafren CC V 8:23 12
9 Carl Friskney Mule CC V 8:35 10
10 Rob Oliver Mule CC V 8:47 8
11 Jonathan Davies Mule CC V 8:52 6
12 Clive Bourne Mule CC V 9:20 4
13 Lou Williams Oswestry Olympians WV 9:28 .
14 Simon Collins Bluelight CC V 9:38 .
15 Lee Morgan Mule CC V 9:46 2
16 Steve Jones Mule CC V 9:48 2
17 Mark Williams Mule CC V 9:53 2
18 Robert Freeman Mule CC V 10:30 2
19 John Williams Mule CC V 10:46 2
20 Claire Smyth Paramount CRT WV 11:10 2
21 Andrew Perry Mule CC V 11:53 2
22 Jonathan Thomson Mule CC V 12:15 2

Women:

Women’s Pos’n Name Club Cat Time Women’s Points
1 Alison Dockney Macclesfield Wheelers W 7:33 .
2 Gwyneth Parry Paramount CRT W 7:59 20
3 Charlotte Hunter Oswestry Olympians W 8:11 .
4 Becky Griffiths Paramount CRT W 9:16 18
5 Lou Williams Oswestry Olympians WV 9:28 .
6 Claire Smyth Paramount CRT WV 11:10 16

Final Cumulative standings after twelve rounds

Overall Top 20:

Position Name Club Cat Best 6
1 Tomos Hales Wrekinsport CC S 118
2 Steven Prince SCCA Private Member V 108
3 Alex Hart Mid Shropshire Wheelers J 84
4 Jack Young Oswestry Paragon CC S 82
5 David Scott Mule CC S 80
6 Phil Roberts Wrekinsport CC S 74
7 Scott Palmer Bridgnorth CC V 68
8 Chris Riley Paramount CRT V 64
9 Matthew Redworth Mid Shropshire Wheelers S 52
10 Jed Friskney Mule CC S 48
=11 John Woodward Mid Shropshire Wheelers S 34
=11 Neil Coles Oswestry Paragon CC V 34
=11 Rob McGregor Paramount CRT S 34
14 James Davies Mule CC V 32
15 Troy Rimmell Mule CC S 28
16 Kirk Vickers Holohan Coaching RT S 18
=17 Hayley Wells Paramount CRT W 16
=17 Mason Durant Paramount CRT S 16
=19 Ben Southgate Wrekinsport CC J 14
=19 Ben Wood Wrekinsport CC S 14
=19 Elliott Wills Wrekinsport CC S 14

Veterans Top 20:

Position Name Club Cat Best 6
1 Steven Prince SCCA Private Member V 120
2 Chris Riley Paramount CRT V 110
3 Neil Coles Oswestry Paragon CC V 96
4 Scott Palmer Bridgnorth CC V 94
5 James Davies Mule CC V 36
6 Andy Collins Mid Shropshire Wheelers V 34
7 Ben Thompson Wrekinsport CC V 30
8 Liz Breeze Mule CC WV 22
9 Neil Wilson Paramount CRT V 20
=10 Martin Waters Mule CC V 18
=10 Matt Blythe Newport Shropshire CC V 18
12 Carl Evans Hafren CC V 16
=13 Clancy Wilson Ludlow CC V 14
=13 Mark White Mid Shropshire Wheelers V 14
=13 Oliver Rodwell Wrekinsport CC V 14
=13 Steve Jennings Mule CC V 14
=17 Bob Annling Ludlow CC V 12
=17 Darrell Walsh Oswestry Paragon CC V 12
=17 Tim Cullinan Bridgnorth CC V 12
=17 Tim Evans Newport Shropshire CC V 12
=17 Trevor Richards Hafren CC V 12

Women’s standings:

Position Name Club Cat Best 6
1 Hayley Wells Paramount CRT W 120
2 Liz Breeze Mule CC WV 40
3 Becky Griffiths Paramount CRT W 38
4 Robin Jones Bridgnorth CC W 36
=5 Gwyneth Parry Paramount CRT W 20
=5 Sarah Willhoit Paramount CRT W 20
7 Daphne Jones Mid Shropshire Wheelers WJ 18
=8 Gwyneth Bowyer Ludlow CC WV 18
=8 Victoria Doran Wrekinsport CC WV 18
10 Claire Smyth Paramount CRT WV 16

Junior standings:

Position Name Club Cat Best 6
1 Alex Hart Mid Shropshire Wheelers J 100
2 Ben Southgate Wrekinsport CC J 56
3 Will Hyde Newport Shropshire CC J 20
4 Daphne Jones Mid Shropshire Wheelers WJ 16