Exeter Wheelers cycling club hosted the city’s first hill climb festival on 19 September, partly sponsored by Michelmores.
Cyclists of all ages and abilities took to the challenging 1.2 mile closed road course up to the top of Stoke woods to celebrate one of the British cycling scene’s proudest traditions – hill climbing!
100 cyclists took part in the main event of the day, including some of the UK’s reigning national hill climb champions, one of which, Dan Evans (Team Elite/Paul Bethall Electrical) won, with a new course record of 4 minutes 12.97 seconds.
The children’s ‘go-ride’ competition offered the next generation of cyclists their first go at racing. Children between the ages of 6 and 16 took to the challenge, with medals awarded to the top 3 riders from each age category.
The afternoon’s team charity event saw 14 teams from local cycling clubs and Exeter-based businesses take part including Thomson Reuter and The Met Office, the team event helped to raise over £350 for local charity Exeter Deaf Academy.
After such a successful day, the Exeter Wheelers plan to run the hill climb festival again next year.
This year’s sponsors also included Skirmish Paintball, Interserve, East Devon Sports Therapy, Exeter Brewery and charity partner Exeter Royal Academy for Deaf Education.
(Images courtesy of Ann Owens)
