Hill climb season is almost upon us, and one of the oldest is Catford CC’s annual race up Yorks Hill in Surrey on 12 October 2008. With stretches of 25% it’s no walk in the park.

Amazingly, the course record set some 25 years ago by Phil Mason with a time of 1min 47.6 still stands – can 2008 be the year the time topples? To celebrate this longstanding achievement, San Fairy Ann C.C have generously donated a special prize of £250 to the rider who sets a new record. Phil, together with his club-mates from the 1983 record breaking team will be there on the day to present this prize.

Last year Dan Fleeman came close, within 1min 15secs of breaking the record when his winning ride was witnessed by hundreds of spectators. Currently racing in Australia he is unable to compete, though 2006 winner Bill Bell (Gemini BC), who came second last year, will be riding so he must be a serious contender for this prize.

Altogether there are over £1,500 in prizes to be won including £650 of quality cycling kit donated by Rapha. Entries for this event close on 1 October, you can enter at www.catfordcc.co.uk. Entries are not restricted to CTT affiliated riders because it’s now open to all-comers and anyone can enter to ‘Have a Go’ and try to get up this testing climb. There is even a prize for the fastest mountain biker.

Rumours abound that evergreen Max Pendleton (father of World and Olympic sprint champion Victoria) who won this event on no less than eight occasions from 1965 to 1973, is contemplating entering. In which case this should something of a ‘revival’ after 35 years.

The ‘Catford’, first held in 1887, has always been both a sporting spectacle and a social occasion so vast crowds are again expected.
The club is organising a group ride to Yorks Hill from Bromley South Station meeting at 9.00am (Catch the 8.24 from Victoria)