Get a taster for tomorrow's Rollapaluza urban hill climb

The second annual Rollapaluza Urban Hill Climb takes place tomorrow on Swain’s Lane in Highgate, north London. And to stoke the excitement the organisers have posted the event programme for download free online.

http://issuu.com/rollapaluza/docs/uhc2011

At last year’s event, Matlock CC’s Chris Metcalfe pipped Germain Burton (De Ver Cycles) and Dave Clarke (Pendragon) to the top of the podium, covering the 700m-or-so course in 1 minute 32.86 seconds.

Currently of the three only Burton is on the start list but the 16-year-old – who last year went on to win the Bec CC hill climb – is an exciting prospect with a year’s more racing under his belt. In the male seniors seeded competition, there’s also a good smattering of high-calibre riders from big clubs across the country, plus women’s, youth and unseeded men’s events.

Burton is interviewed in the programme, which also features an article by 100 Greatest Climb’s. Simon Warren on his favourite London-centric hills.

It also has the complete start list and a map of the race HQ and course.

Swain’s Lane is a favourite for those London cyclists seeking an evening trip to the pain cave, being just north of Regent’s Park and therefore perfect for some after-work reps. The whole hill is around 900m long, and the official course averages around 10%.

However, the figure is deceptive: the first half is fairly gentle, with the real challenge only starting above the main Highgate Cemetery gates on the left. At this point the road narrows, bends left behind a high wall, and ramps up for a couple of hundred metres of 15-20%+ pain. The final slopes up to the finish line – further than you think – ease off again, but it’s a question of mind over matter to keep the legs turning properly.
 

The spectators last year gave the racers a real boost. Competitions kick off at 6:30pm, so get yourselves down.

More info
Check out the relvelant page of the Rollapaluza website www.rollapaluza.com/rollapaluza-urban-hill-climb-2011/" http://www.rollapaluza.com/rollapaluza-urban-hill-climb-2011/
To get even more of a taste of what's it's all about check out last year’s race report and photos
www.rollapaluza.com/rollapaluza-urban-hill-climb-22-07-10-swains-lane-lo...

www.rollapaluza.com/rollapaluza-urban-hill-climb-22-07-10-swains-lane-lo...