2015 Irish National Hill Climb Championship

rappid

Hi there

I will share few things with you coz I couldn't find propoer post about hill climb champs.
I have done route recon 2 weeks ago and I think it looks like TT with a bit of climb.
For the first 4.5km we have roller coaster terrain with many ups and downs with
sharp ends. The surface is not so good, with grass in the middle and loose gravel.
Last 2km is a 'proper' climb with 2 or 3 short ramps.
Gradient? nothing too crazy Road surface gets better from there.

Here is the climb: 6.6km / avg3%
www . strava . com/segments/10365047
Last 2.3km/avg7% (proper climb):
www . strava . com/segments/1212083

So, the route fits all-rounder strong rider more than pure climber.
I would prefer this climb (on the other side of the hill): 1.7km/avg10%:
www . strava . com/segments/710603

I think National Champs deserves something better than this.
Anyway, I will give it a go.
How about you?

Cheers!

easygoing39

When is it on,what date?

rappid

easygoing39 wrote: »

When is it on,what date?

Sorry, I forgot to mention
Ballingeary, Co. Cork on 3rd October 2015.

Amprodude

I'm doing it I hope. It says that the gradient goes to 20% when you meet the climb after 4.5km, so wondering would something lower than a 28 cog be needed on rear cassette for that? I.e 30 or compact crankset? If it's not too hilly would you get away with TT bike?

rappid

you will be fine with 28 back and 34 on the front

Amprodude

rappid wrote: »

you will be fine with 28 back and 34 on the front

Are you trying to slow me down?

I have a 39 on the front so I might switch cassette on back to 30 in case I do need it. climbing gears should be ok here. It's not a full on road race.

Lumen

From what I recall one mad boardsie did it on a fixed gear a couple of years back

2 Wheels Good

Tri bike for the first 4.5km then switch to a climbing specific bike for the last 2k?

Amprodude

Lumen wrote: »

From what I recall one mad boardsie did it on a fixed gear a couple of years back

Mad. Did he win?

Zyzz

Amprodude wrote: »

Mad. Did he win?

He still hasn't made it to the top.

jinkypolly

Amprodude wrote: »

I'm doing it I hope. It says that the gradient goes to 20% when you meet the climb after 4.5km, so wondering would something lower than a 28 cog be needed on rear cassette for that? I.e 30 or compact crankset? If it's not too hilly would you get away with TT bike?

There's no part that goes as high as 20%.

JK.BMC

Amprodude wrote: »

Are you trying to slow me down?

I have a 39 on the front so I might switch cassette on back to 30 in case I do need it. climbing gears should be ok here. It's not a full on road race.

And get a long-cage derailler while you are at it.

Raam

Amprodude wrote: »

If it's not too hilly...

:pac::pac::pac:

Lusk_Doyle

Amprodude wrote: »

I'm doing it I hope. It says that the gradient goes to 20% when you meet the climb after 4.5km, so wondering would something lower than a 28 cog be needed on rear cassette for that? I.e 30 or compact crankset? If it's not too hilly would you get away with TT bike?

Try it on a tt bike and see how you do.

devonp

out of interest...how are hill climbs set up?
is it like a TT with a release every 30 secs or so...or a mass start ?
and do you need a full race licence or is there a 1 day option ?
good luck

Lusk_Doyle

devonp wrote: »

out of interest...how are hill climbs set up?
is it like a TT with a release every 30 secs or so...or a mass start ?
and do you need a full race licence or is there a 1 day option ?
good luck

Minute intervals usually. Full licence.

nilhg

Lusk_Doyle wrote: »

Minute intervals usually. Full licence.

Full licence and limited comp, looks like no one days.

http://valleywheelerscc.com/home/index.php/nhcc-2015-competition-categories/

VR46

If you use the big ring then it's not a hill climb. What's the point of the first 4km?

Lusk_Doyle

VR46 wrote: »

If you use the big ring then it's not a hill climb. What's the point of the first 4km?

I use the big ring all the way up Howth. That's a hill climb.

Amprodude

jinkypolly wrote: »

There's no part that goes as high as 20%.

It said it on their website or Facebook page. Sure I don't know the route at all. Most people doing the TT have it checked it I guess.

Amprodude

JK.BMC wrote: »

And get a long-cage derailler while you are at it.

Forgot about that. I think I will leave the 28 on altogether, it's not that steep from what people saying here.

quozl

Lusk_Doyle wrote: »

I use the big ring all the way up Howth. That's a hill climb.

No it's not. People who live in areas starved of real climbs may think it is...

endacl

Lusk_Doyle wrote: »

I use the big ring all the way up Howth. That's a hill climb.

@fulltimemadbastard

:pac:

Lumen

VR46 wrote: »

If you use the big ring then it's not a hill climb. What's the point of the first 4km?

To induce some fool to do it on a TT bike

Derrydingle

quozl wrote:

No it's not. People who live in areas starved of real climbs may think it is...

It's no push over if your taking it at a good pace

quozl

Derrydingle wrote: »

It's no push over if your taking it at a good pace

The same can be said of a 2% incline. Or a 1% one. Doesn't make it a hill climb...

manwithaplan

Lusk_Doyle wrote: »

I use the big ring all the way up Howth. That's a hill climb.

Yeah but you shouldn't have.

Lusk_Doyle

quozl wrote: »

The same can be said of a 2% incline. Or a 1% one. Doesn't make it a hill climb...

What does then?

SomeFool

Lumen wrote: »

To induce some fool to do it on a TT bike

Not this year anyway.,.,,

rappid

Big ring for the first 4.5km and then small ring.
Good luck!

Amprodude

rappid wrote: »

Big ring for the first 4.5km and then small ring.
Good luck!

Anyone using a TT helmet for this or is there any point? First 4.5km isn't that hilly right? I don't do enough of these hill TTs to know exactly but most hill climbs I have done are hills climbs and you will know they are climbs. Not sure about this one.