The X Factor

I missed the X Factor on Sunday. Not that ITV programme where singing out of tune demonstrates apparent superstar potential (my kids make sure I don’t miss that), but that X factor described by Simon Warren as “the natural athletic ability coupled with the extraordinary pain threshold” that marks out the very best. The National Hill Climb was full of riders with plenty of that special talent. Unfortunately, I wasn’t one of them.

Finding My Level

It wasn’t for lack of preparation, with Andy Brodziak’s help, I trained really hard for the event. It wasn’t for lack of the right equipment – the Scott Foil R1 performed brilliantly. At the end of the day, I came up against the strongest field of hill climbers the country had to offer, and 117 of them were faster than me. It all boils down to me finding my level. I did alright in the local club climbs, finishing 3rd in one, 6th in the other. I did alright in last year’s National, finishing 91st, before this weekend’s event, I was hoping to do a bit better. I felt stronger than I had all year, had the best bike I’d ever ridden and knew the course, having ridden in the open event in September. I arrived in plenty of time and even warmed up on my turbo trainer before getting going. I have to admit, I was feeling quite optimistic – not unrealistically so, but positive all the same.

Battle for Survival

In the open event, I’d gone off a bit too quickly and paid for it in the final third. I was determined not to make the same mistake this time and watched my speed carefully, not getting carried away in the early stages. Long Hill lived up to its name though and the headwind played a part with some fairly strong gusts as I left the cover of the trees. The going was getting tough, but pockets of supporters kept me going with shouts of encouragement and jingling cowbells. I passed my minute man with a mile and a half to go, but I was in a battle for survival by the last corner and the sprint for the finish wasn’t quite as blistering as it was supposed to be.

Coffee and Walnut

Crossing the line in a hill climb always produces that unique mix of exhaustion, shortness of breath and nausea and it was a relief to slump into the thoughtfully provided chairs in the next lay by. A ride back down to the HQ enabled me to experience the Scott’s wonderful handling at speed before getting stuck in to the fantastic cake stall. After three (yes three!) pieces of my favourite coffee and walnut, it was back on the bike to ride back up and watch the big guns in action. The speed of the likes of Hayles, Hutchinson, Pettinger and Clinton was amazing to behold. It was Gunnar Gronlund who took the win – a hill climb specialist on a climb criticised by some as being too much like a time trial course.

So 118th in the National Hill Climb – unfortunately there were no medals for that, but I can say I rode in the last race of Rob Hayles’s illustrious career and I did have a great day out. Next year’s event takes place on the infamous Ramsbottom Rake with its 25% gradient. I’ll definitely be entering, just need to find that elusive X factor before I do.