East Sussex Hill Climb on Firle Beacon

Ollie Chapman had made a great start to hill climbing the day before in Saturday morning's East Sussex Cycling Association hill climb up to Firle Beacon. The early riders benefitted from dry conditions but steady rain and a rising gusting wind made it harder for the back end of the field. Chapman really impressed as he smoothly approached the chequer board with a quick time of 5:18 to take 18th place, excellent after puncturing just before he started and then having problems with his cycling shoes.  Joe Jenner (5:50) also picked up ESCA team points for Hastings.  The second oldest rider in the field Chris Parker posting the slowest time of 7:43 coming in one place behind the oldest rider (7:29). Joe Kingsman's weekend did not start well with a puncture before the start and technical problems that lead to him being a DNF. Even In Gear's Peter Tadros had problems, with a puncture on his bespoke fixed hill climb bike forcing a rushed bike change to a geared set up and a time of 4:17, well off his course record of 3:42, for second place to Lewes Wanderer Patrick Hough (4:10). Tadros was one of only two vets in the top ten, both only recently having joined the veteran ranks, again proving that hill climbs are more suited to the youngsters.