Celebrating the 92nd Monsal hill climb

The 92nd Monsal hill climb, supported by St Hugh’s Hospital, has been hailed as another remarkable success, with 181 riders battling against the clock up the 675-yard climb to Monsal Head on October 2.

The youngest rider was just seven years old and the oldest was 77, with another 34 under-16s, 57 veteran riders, and 22 female riders taking to the start line in bright but breezy conditions.

Reigning women’s double national hill climb champion Bithja Jones (Pankhurst Cycles) won the ladies category for the second consecutive year. Veteran rider Jones made the trip all the way from Reading to post a very creditable 1:39.9 in dry conditions. Local rider and 2018 winner Emilie Verroken (Team Lifting Gear Products) was second, with Rebecca Lineker (Velo Bavarian) in third. Both Jones and Verroken were first and second in the lady veterans’category with Gemma Sargent, Saint Piran in third.

In a packed men’s event, Gregg Booker (Summat CC) finally clinched men’s crown for the first time. After finishing fourth last year, Gregg posted a brilliant 1:19.4, ahead of local rider George Wood (Cycling Sheffield), with former national hill climb champion and 2016 Monsal winner Adam Kenway (Brother UK) in third. These two riders were split by just three hundredths of a second.

The men’s veteran category was won by Nicholas Latimer (Team Lifting Gear Products) with a fantastic time of 1:26.4. This was four seconds faster than Darren Kidson (Onyx RT), and Steven Prince (Ludlow Brewery Race Team) was third. 

Ryan Williams (Beeston Cycling Club) became the fastest junior after winning the juvenile boys category last year. Isaac Oliver (Sheffield Youth Cycling Club) was the juvenile boys winner. The fastest junior girl was Lilja Raine (JRC Interflon Race Team), and Maia Howell(Matlock CC) was the fastest juvenile girl for the second consecutive year.

Many thanks to HMT St Hugh’s Hospital, Bioracer UK Langsett Cycles, Big Bobble Hats, Skyhook Coaching, Velotastic, Simon Warren from 100 Climbs, St John Ambulance, Derbyshire Dales District Council, Chatsworth Estates, Litton & Cressbrook Parish Council, Keith Adamson and Little Longstone Village Group, Monsal Head Hotel and Hobb’s Cafe. Without their help this event simply would not happen.

The event will return on Sunday,October 1, 2023.