Last weekend saw our very own ‘H’ in competitive mode at the Velo Club Cumbria time trial event – the Whinlatter Hill Climb.
The route is a swift 1.75km ride up the B5292 / Whinlatter Pass from the west of the village of Braithewaite, almost to the Whinlatter Forest Park Visitor Centre. With twists and turns through wooded hills – and the occasional glimpses of stunning views (for those with the time to take them in!) – it is a steady climb from start to finish, with a elevation gain of 640ft, and a maximum gradient of 12.7%.
The event was previewed in the cycling press, where it stated that “Henrietta Colborne (Biehler Krush Pro Cycling) will star in the women’s event in her first open since the 2017 National Hill Climb Championships…”
To gain her placing 3 years ago H completed this course in a time of 9m 50s, and this time she and was determined to get below the 9 minute mark. In preparation for her weekend sprint, H took to the fells last Tuesday for some uphill leg work – completing the infamous Great Dun Fell in less than 30 minutes – even if she did have to dismount for the first part of her descent due to the blustery wind!
It seems this addition to her usual training schedule paid off… In a short but explosive race, with full exertion and power, our H not just beat her 9 minute goal but absolutely smashed it…! Her race time was a mere 8m 28s – which earned her a course record, and made her the first placed female rider!!
CONGRATULATIONS HENRIETTA!
Needless to say, H is chuffed to bits with her performance and the result “…a job well done – there was a great atmosphere, people cheering all the way – it was full gas from start to finish – what a fantastic local result to achieve in what has been a very strange year!”
[And just in case anyone needs a perspective on the achievements of any of the competitors in this event, if you map the route in Google Maps it states it as a 23 minute ride!]