R5 Little Sweetpea Gardens/BBR Opticians Hill Climb Series: SCCA Homer Bank climb

Shropshire Cycling Clubs Association Homer Bank Hill Climb

It went straight from the longest climb to the shortest in 24 hours in The Little Sweetpea Gardens/BBR Opticians Hill Climb Series with course records guaranteed in Round 5, the inaugural Shropshire Cycling Clubs Association Homer Bank climb. This hidden gem near Much Wenlock was not known amongst the majority of the field – but most came away with a grudging respect for the short, sharp 0.5 mile climb which rears up to 15.5% in the first 0.2 miles and touches 18% at one point.

Setting that inaugural record on a glorious evening was a familiar name – Kirk Vickers, the 2019 Silver medallist and Series winner between 2016 and 2018 with an almost unbelievable effort of 1 minute, 52.56 seconds to take victory from Fishface Cycles’ Jonny Morris by just over five seconds. Morris was the winner of Rounds 1 and 2 of the Series, and so a head-to-head was a mouth-watering prospect in Vickers’ first appearance of 2020. He stated: “A great, short little climb, this one was hard on the lungs I got the pacing just right, and it’s always great to see everyone out – well done all and thanks to the organisers and volunteers”!  

Morris had reconnoitred the course several times before the racing began in earnest to familiarise himself with the new climb, but despite that he found a course that bites at full out pace, cresting the top in 1:57.84, the only rider other than Vickers to beat the two minute mark. His comments bear out the sheer variety of climbing on offer: “Riding up the climb beforehand does not prepare you for how short the effort really is – full gas from the bottom next year! It’s great to have such a range of climbs in the Series”.

Homer Bank is not a climb that reveals its charms easily, snaking up the side of Wenlock Edge and sapping the effort the further you climb. This means if a rider is unprepared and hasn’t practiced the course beforehand they keep coming around bend after bend, making judgement of when to make the final extra push for the finish line tricky. At just half a mile there is no place to hide – competitors have to attack from the off, and that requirement and the difficulty judging put some of the 31-strong field in trouble early. Hard enough if climbing within your limits, going into the red makes this climb a fearsome prospect.

Those comments were borne out by Veteran’s winner Dave Griffiths, who made it two wins from two races and just missed out on the two minute barrier by half a second, stopping the watch on 2:00.56. The changing gradient and the twists and turns seemed to faze him a little, but he clearly seems to be enjoying being back in competition, stating: “It’s nice to pin a number on again. It’s hard to pace such a short varying climb but I think I got it about right – I was pleased with my power and the result”!

Griffiths’ closest challenge in the Veterans came from CC Bridgnorth’s Scott Palmer whose 2:11.69 effort elevated him from third to second in the Veteran’s standings – although Mark Hammond did just enough to reclaim top spot in that table from Paramount team mate Chris Riley. Things could not be any closer with those three riders separated by two points each and it will be fascinating to see who comes out on top over the remaining rounds.

Once again Junior riders seem to have taken this Series to their hearts with nine lining up to put their lack of weight to full advantage. Two Halesowen A&CC riders made it a 1-2 at the top of the standings, with Charlie Genner getting the better of Tomos Pattinson for the first time at the fourth attempt. Genner finished in 2:05.44 for a highly respectable 4^th place Overall with Pattinson 1.28 seconds back. The length of the climb wasn’t to Pattinson’s taste, but ringing the changes is always likely to heighten the competition, which was reflected in his post-race comment: “It wasn’t my best night as the climb was a bit short for me, but still a killer climb. The competition was fierce as always”.

But James Satoor came away more than satisfied with his efforts after taking the maximum 20 points on offer for the leading SCCA Junior and stretching his lead in this Series to six points with Henri Bedford breathing down his neck in the Silver medal position. Satoor’s 2:12.26 saw off Bedford’s challenge of 2:30.91 and he stretched his lead over Wrekisnport CC’s Tomos Hales from two to ten points – a fine evening’s work. Satoor explained: “I was happy to keep the Overall lead in the Series and extend the Junior lead on another short but punchy climb that was tough going, but definitely one of my favourites of the Series. This is one of the only climbs I’d not ridden before, but it was good to try out! Thanks a lot for again putting on such a well organised event”!

The short, sharp climb attracted Brother UK’s Rebecca Richardson to test herself on a climb that is the same distance as the upcoming National Championship at Streatley in Berkshire. Richardson usually features towards the top of that Championship and set an excellent inaugural Women’s record of 2:21.85. The former Hafren CC rider was a little unsure about how she would cope under the Covid restriction of no pusher off allowed due to maintaining social distance but was delighted with her practice run: “It was a fantastic turn out on a balmy late summer evening. I was very pleased with my ride, and most importantly, I clipped in! Thanks SCCA, a great turn out for this evening. I was happy with the split to the winning men’s time; I feel I’m on good track for the Nationals”.

Full:

SCCA:

Vets on Actual:

Juniors:

Women’s:

Cumulative standings after five rounds

Overall Top 10:

Veterans Top 10:

Junior Top 10:

Women’s standings:

There’s a fabulous video onboard with course record setter Kirk Vickers available to view on You Tube at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0nwa7fB185k&feature=youtu.be