Hill Climb 2026 Results

This year’s club hill climb was held last Saturday (10^th October) on the Brightstone Lane course (HHC050) which was regularly used for our club hill climbs, and we decided to re-visit this year.  This course rises at an average gradient of 5% along its nearly one-mile route. It was run under the auspices of Cycling Time Trials, the UK authority for this type of event, and following their regulations. Full Joining Instructions to the ACC Hill Climb can be found here.

We had an excellent turnout for the event: a total of 22 riders had pre-booked to ride the event, and a further six joined us on the day. We had five of the staff from Veloline, four ladies, several non-Alton club riders and a mix of ages, from 16 to 68. For several of our riders this was their first ever hill climb event.

We were fortunate to have dry conditions for the climb, with just a cool wind to contend with, which I’m sure helped in setting up some impressive times.

First off was our own Tim Higgs, who managed to get to the start line with seconds to spare; I’m sure the adrenaline rush helped with his 4’35” run up the hill. Patrick Giles decided to complicate his hill climb event by turning it into a relay event with his brother Rick, who decided to join in the event on the day, necessitating borrowing Patrick’s bike, and clothes! Quite some handover… It was good to see Simon Potter, our ex-Racing Secretary (now with Swindon Wheelers) who came and set a very respectable 3’24” time up the hill.

Other noteworthy climbs were those of Michael Henderson of Oxford Uni CC, who arrived, having cycled over from Basingstoke station, just in time to set a storming new hill record of 2’39”, and of Harry Cooper (just 16 y/o) who flew up the hill in 2’48”. Fastest Alton rider was Jimmy Allen, 3’33”, with James Meakin close behind with a 3’41”. Fastest lady was Alton CC’s Lucy Elliott with a time of 4’06”, with Maya Bradshaw of Liss CC close behind at 4’12”.

The riders gathered afterwards at the Veloline shop for coffee, cake and prizegiving. Prizes, very generously provided by our club sponsor, Ventrus, were awarded as follows:

Women’s: 1^st – Lucy Elliott, Alton CC; 2^nd – Maya Bradshaw, Liss CC; 3^rd – Ruth Stratford, Alton CC;

Men’s: 1^st – Michael Henderson, Oxford Uni CC; 2^nd – Harry Cooper, Beeston CC; 3^rd – Robert Wildsmith, Poole Wheelers CC.

There was also a close competition in the handicap competition for Alton CC members, with results as follows:

1^st – Jimmy Allen (3’31”), 2^nd – James Meakin (3’35”), 3^rd – Lucy Elliott (3’49”), 4^th – Guy Henshaw (3’51”).

Veloline, kindly provided a further goodies prize to our fastest 1^st time hill climber, Harry Cooper.

We would like to express our heartfelt thanks to Andy Chapman, of Ventrus, for the great prizes we were able to offer; to Veloline for providing an excellent HQ and venue for our prize giving; and to our timekeepers Dick and Alan, and to marshals Becci, Martin, Mark and Annie, who ensured the smooth running of the event.

See previous results on these posts: Hill climb results 2025 and Hill climb results 2024