One of Shropshire’s oldest hill climb courses saw a fine battle on a glorious summer’s evening as Bridgnorth CC presented their climb of ‘Five Chimneys’, Hughley, Round 4 of the BBR Opticians Hill Climb Series. In use since at least the 1960’s when the cottages which give the climb its name still existed; the climb averages 8% but gets gradually steeper as it nears the top, making the final metres hard work. Won by Mule CC’s Dave Scott ahead of a good field of 21 riders, this was Scott’s second win in his two 2023 appearances so far in this best 6 scores from 11 Series, stopping the watch on 3 minutes 32 seconds exactly – a course personal best. That almost imperceptible stiffening of gradient can catch riders out if they go into the red too soon, with the gentle curve of the road meaning where the finish line is tricky to judge – as Scott almost fell foul of: “It was another perfect evening; conditions were favourable so I was confident I could go quicker than last year. I set out a bit optimistically though, but luckily managed to cling on and hold the effort to the line for a new Personal Best and win in the process which was a bonus”! Scott moved up to fifth place in the standings as a result of this win.

Scott wasn’t the only rider to record a personal best, with Steven Prince taking the Overall runner-up spot as well as the Veterans win in 3:45.9. Prince moved up to two points behind BBR Veterans leader Chris Riley who was third Veteran in 4:37.4 behind Aerologic’s Scott Palmer in 4:00.6. Reigning Veteran’s Champion Prince is putting in a strong defence of that title whilst looking to go one better than the Overall Silver medal he also won last year in a discipline that favours youth; here lopping a huge 15 seconds off his previous best on this hill. He was delighted with his effort and revealed that the type of climb suited his style well: “I went a lot better as the constant steep hill suits me a bit better. I got a 15 second Personal Best which was nice, so I’m heading the right way. Congratulations to Dave on the win; and thanks Bridgnorth CC for hosting and marshalling”.

BBR Series leader Tomos Hales had to be content with third on the night with his 3:57.4 just pushing out Palmer and adding four points to his advantage at the head of the standings. He seems to have the opposite issue to Scott, making allowance for the latter steeper slope which almost cost him: “I had a good start up Five Chimneys but didn’t attack the climb enough. Well done to Dave with the win and Steven for second; and thanks for Bridgnorth CC for organising”.

Paramount’s women are making a real impact on the 2023 Series with entrants at every race enjoying some friendly rivalry – with Becky Griffiths tasting another victory, making it three wins and one second. She holds an eight point lead at the top of the Women’s standings, with her 5:03.5 pushing out Hayley Wells by 5.6 seconds.

In the BBR Junior Series the lead for Wrekinsport’s Ben Southgate is a much more pronounced 62 points as he took his fourth win in four races for a perfect 80 points score. Southgate stopped the watch on 4:19.5 ahead of Newport Shropshire CC’s Will Hyde and was pleased with his effort, stating: “A good climb and I felt good”.

Result:

Pos’n Name Club Cat Time Points
1 Dave Scott Mule CC S 3:32.0 20
2 Steven Prince Ludlow Brewery RT V 3:45.9 18
3 Tomos Hales Wrekinsport CC S 3:57.4 16
4 Scott Palmer Aerologic RT V 4:00.6 14
5 Troy Rimell Mule CC S 4:05.4 12
6 Tom Herbert Bridgnorth CC S 4:15.9 10
7 Ben Southgate Wrekinsport CC J 4:19.5 8
8 James Hards Unattached S 4:25.3 .
9 Chris Childs Bridgnorth CC S 4:31.6 6
10 Chris Riley Paramount CRT V 4:37.4 4
11 Richard Bacon Unattached V 4:44.2 .
12 Jack Young Oswestry Paragon CC S 4:47.3 2
13 Dave Allen Bridgnorth CC V 4:58.9 2
14 Will Hyde Newport Shropshire CC J 4:59.9 2
15 Neil Coles Oswestry Paragon CC V 5:03.0 2
16 Becky Griffiths Paramount CRT W 5:03.5 2
17 Hayley Wells Paramount CRT W 5:09.1 2
18 Ian Townsend Paramount CRT V 5:29.5 2
19 Andy Jones Bridgnorth CC V 5:31.6 2
20 John Robinson Bridgnorth CC V 5:36.6 2
21 Claire Blackwell-Smyth Paramount CRT WV 6:26.9 2

Veterans on Actual:

Vets Pos’n Name Club Cat Time Vets Points
1 Steven Prince Ludlow Brewery RT V 3:45.9 20
2 Scott Palmer Aerologic RT V 4:00.6 18
3 Chris Riley Paramount CRT V 4:37.4 16
4 Richard Bacon Unattached V 4:44.2 .
5 Dave Allen Bridgnorth CC V 4:58.9 14
6 Neil Coles Oswestry Paragon CC V 5:03.0 12
7 Ian Townsend Paramount CRT V 5:29.5 10
8 Andy Jones Bridgnorth CC V 5:31.6 8
9 John Robinson Bridgnorth CC V 5:36.6 6
10 Claire Blackwell-Smyth Paramount CRT WV 6:26.9 4

Women’s:

Women’s Pos’n Name Club Cat Time Women’s Points
1 Becky Griffiths Paramount CRT W 5:03.5 20
2 Hayley Wells Paramount CRT W 5:09.1 18
3 Claire Blackwell-Smyth Paramount CRT WV 6:26.9 16

Juniors:

Junior Pos’n Name Club Cat Time Junior Points
1 Ben Southgate Wrekinsport CC J 4:19.5 20
2 Will Hyde Newport Shropshire CC J 4:59.9 18

Cumulative standings after four rounds

Overall Top 10:

Position Name Club Cat Best 6
1 Tomos Hales Wrekinsport CC S 70
2 Steven Prince Ludlow Brewery RT V 52
3 Ben Southgate Wrekinsport CC J 48
4 Scott Palmer Aerologic RT V 44
5 Dave Scott Mule CC S 40
6 John Woodward Mid Shropshire Wheelers V 22
7 Kirk Vickers Holohan Coaching RT S 20
8 Chris Riley Paramount CRT V 16
8 Phil Roberts Wrekinsport CC S 16
10 Robbie Disney Aerologic RT S 14

Veterans Top 10:

Position Name Club Cat Best 6
1 Chris Riley Paramount CRT V 62
2 Steven Prince Ludlow Brewery RT V 60
3 Scott Palmer Aerologic RT V 54
4 Neil Coles Oswestry Paragon CC V 38
5 John Woodward Mid Shropshire Wheelers V 36
6 Andy Collins Mid Shropshire Wheelers V 28
7 Neil Wilson Paramount CRT V 22
8 Ian Townsend Paramount CRT V 20
9 Simon Romei Paramount CRT V 18
10 Claire Blackwell-Smyth Paramount CRT WV 16

Women’s standings:

Position Name Club Cat Best 6
1 Becky Griffiths Paramount CRT W 78
2 Hayley Wells Paramount CRT W 70
3 Claire Blackwell-Smyth Paramount CRT WV 48
4 Sara Willhoit Paramount CRT W 20
5 Victoria Doran Wrekinsport CC WV 14

Junior standings:

Position Name Club Cat Best 6
1 Ben Southgate Wrekinsport CC J 80
=2 Chester Romei Paramount CRT J 18
=2 Noah White Mid Shropshire Wheelers J 18
=2 Will Hyde Newport Shropshire CC J 18
4 Jude White Mid Shropshire Wheelers J 16