Paul Blackmore writes…
On Saturday three Grinstead riders braved the freezing temperatures (OK the sun was out) to tackle the climb from Steyning village to the top of the Downs in the Sussex CA hill climb. Veteran ‘hillers’ Andy Seltzer and Steve Dennis were joined by myself, doing my first open hill climb since a panic stricken attempt on Yorks Hill in the 80s.
From the start you’re on the up and although after the first rise there’s a section which could be described as flat you’re soon into the crux of the climb, rising quite steeply at around 1:6 to the finish. By the time I started at no.25, Andrew Rogers was already on his way up for Worthing Excelsior and on his way to the win.
Plenty of team support and spectators kept me going through the steepest bit and although the legs died a little before the finish it wasn’t too bad an experience. My brother used to say that unless you’re sick at the end you haven’t given it everything so I guess I was at 95%!
A surprisingly youthful looking Mr Dennis was off no.35 and looked like he was going well pass the crowds. Similarly Mr Seltzer was also on a ride, going pass his minute man some way before the finish.
Back at HQ I was pleasantly surprised to see that EGCC filled the top half of the result board and also comfortably took the team prize.
If I’d realised these hill climbs were so easy I would have done more . Probably even cyclo-cross isn’t that bad either?
Results: 1st Andrew Rogers Worthing Excelsior 4:30.2 2nd Ishmal Burdeau agiskoviner 4:33.4 3rd Graham Little Dulwich Paragon 4:40.2 4th Steve Dennis East Grinstead 4:42.9 5th Paul Blackmore East Grinstead 4:44.7 7th Andy Seltzer East Grinstead 4:46.5
See 
Mike Anton’s East Grinstead CC pics from the event
See Mike Anton’s complete gallery from the event
