I don't as a rule like hill climbs. I much prefer longer climbs that I can settle into. But I felt duty bound to turn out and be the sole NBRC member to take part in what is traditionally the club championship. I expect you can see where this is going...
This year's course was at Three Locks, and is actually a big ring kind of climb. Unfortunately the weather turned to wet as well as quite cool just before I rode over to the course! We had seven riders signed up, and six turned out.
The other five guys were considerably younger than me, so I really was under no illusions about the eventual outcome. And indeed I was lanterne rouge! I decided to ride as briskly as I could without over-stretching myself. Probably the key to doing this hill climb is to bang up the gears in the middle section where the gradient eases. But I was too interested in the very large shaggy parasol mushroom I saw in the verge...maybe my better half is correct when she says I need to focus more.
Full results at the NBRC website. And some pictures.