The final two club events of the year are normally the Trinders Trophy for the downhill freewheel contest and the far more strenuous Durran Cup hill climb. Unfortunately, due to COVID restrictions, the former could not be run this year, but on a fine dry autumn Saturday morning the hill climb was able to take place.
At just 700 meters of the steep section of road up to Burton Dassett, this is the club’s shortest, but probably one of the toughest events. Depending on your fitness, climbing ability and pain level, times can range from around one to two minutes.
The current record to beat is just 59 seconds, set in 2017 by former pro and club rider Will Fox. A field of 22 riders took on the challenge and whilst the outright record was not beaten, winner Tobi Ng got within 3 seconds, stopping the clock at 1.02. However, his effort was rewarded with a new club, knocking 1 second off the record set by Luke Sherlock last year.
Tobi Ng on his way to a new 1.02 club record (photo Paul Dean)
This event often produces some close times and, on this occasion, only 19 seconds separated the top 10 riders. Skip Nelson was only 4 seconds behind Tobi in second place, with Jos Newbold a further 2 seconds back in third. Naomi de Pennington again set the fastest women’s time of 1.30, exactly the same time as her record time last year and winning her the Broadribb Trophy.
Race secretary Mark Boyles accompanied both his children up the hill, with Isabella setting a superb time of 2.21. Whilst at 7 years old, son Henry is too young to officially compete, he still managed an impressive unofficial time of 3.14.
Top 10 results: 1.Tobi Ng: 1.02, 2.Skip Nelson: 1.06, 3.Jos Newbold: 1.08, 4.Graham Martin: 1.09, 5.Mark Senn: 1.11, 6.Ruben Snelson: 1.12, 7.Simon Bull: 1.14, 8.Louis Bushby: 1.17, 9.Jonny Smith: 1.17, 10.Paul Whitehouse 1.21