hill climb project round 1

Nine months after riders last hurled themselves at the slopes of Tegg’s Nose, the opening round of the 2026 series delivered exactly what this climb always promises: drama, grit, and a healthy dose of character‑building gradient. With the scorch of the week’s sun finally easing and a rare tailwind blessing the course, the stage was set for a fresh season and fifty riders eager to test their legs-and their nerve.

The atmosphere felt like a reunion of hillclimb royalty. Reigning champions lined up beside returning legends, all of them ready to reignite old rivalries. Warmups were intense, paint was fresh, and the collective mood hovered somewhere between excitement and dread. Tegg’s Nose has that effect.

When the dust settled and the timekeeper’s watch stopped ticking, Alexander Raynard emerged as the fastest rider of the night, storming the climb in 05:35.583-the fourth‑fastest ascent ever recorded. In the women’s field, Alison Dockney delivered a commanding performance with 08:30.177, securing a double victory for the Macclesfield Wheelers.

But the stopwatch only tells part of the story.

Ten seasoned riders rewrote their personal history with new PBs. Several first‑timers arrived without reconnaissance, discovering the climb’s cruelty in real time. Mountain bikers on everyday road bikes muscled their way upward with admirable stubbornness. And in one of the standout achievements of the night, Nicholas Smith-better known for flat time trials than vertical warfare-took 12 seconds off the long‑standing M JUN (now Open Junior) record from 2020, finishing 4th overall.

The climb may be short, but it never fails to produce a saga.

We’ll be back on 31 July, aiming to close the road to traffic so we can safely welcome a new wave of riders-especially those under 12 who will be taking on the challenge for the first time.

Until then, attention shifts to Round 2 at the Cat & Fiddle, where the gradients are longer, the pacing trickier, and the bragging rights just as sweet. Entries are open. You know what to do.

Full results: https://hillclimbproject.co.uk/race/?c=YaED0PseQ1
Photos: https://hillclimbproject.co.uk/shots/2026-05-01/