On Saturday 11th October, 15 riders lined up to take part in the ACC annual club hill climb.

The event was held on the mile long Brockham Hill in Holybourne: the hill rises some 300 feet with an average gradient of over 6% but with some sections over 15%!

Of the 15 participants, 8 were from other clubs, or no club at all; we had three female participants, and ages ranged from 20 to 66.

Alton CC’s Lucy Elliot took 1st place in the lady’s competition with a great time of 5’ 36.7”, with Lucy Gray claiming second place and Sarah third. Lucy E becomes our 2025 women’s hill climb champion.

In the men’s contest, Michael Henderson of Oxford University stormed to 1st place in the open competition with a time of 3’ 45.2”, with Archie Wright of Southampton Uni not far behind and with 3’54.0”. Harry Johnson, VC St.Raphael, just missed out on being the third man under 4 minutes by a mere 0.4 seconds but claimed third spot. Our own Simon upheld ACC’s honour with his 4th place and so becomes our men’s 2025 hill climb champion.

The open competition winners were:

1 Michael Henderson Oxford University CC 3.45.2
2 Archie Wright Southampton University CC 3.54.0
3 Harry Johnson VC St Raphael 4.00.4

In the club handicap competition, Lucy came out on top with an adjusted time of 4’11.15”, with Simon second on 4’18.0” and James third on 4’39.15”. So yet more kudos for Lucy, walking away with her second prize of the day.

Alton CC handicap results
1 Lucy Elliott 4:11.15
2 Simon Potter 4:18.00
3 James Allen 4:39.15
4 Guy Henshaw 4:57.7
5 Charlie Williams 5:3.15
6 Owen Hazelby 5:32.00
7 Sarah Williams 5:46.67

 

Our thanks go to Dick and Alan our timekeepers and the marshals who ensured the smooth running of the event. And special thanks go to our sponsors, Ventrus and Veloline, for providing the very generous prize pot for this event and for their startline support. With thanks also to those who came to cheer everyone on as they took on the challenge!