SOME of the country’s best hill climbers on two wheels will tackle the ‘deadly Hedley’ climb.

For the steep incline towards the village of Hedley on the Hill, near Stocksfield, will host more than 200 cyclists as the Road Time Trials Council National Hill Climb Championships heads to Tynedale on Sunday, October 29.

It will be the first time the national event has been held in Northumberland since 2004 when it headed to the Winter’s Gibbet, in Elsdon.

Hill climbing is a specialist type of cycling which appeals to people wanting to push themselves to the limit over a short distance, and it is particularly popular in the North-East. Road racers also use the events to build on their stamina levels.

Cycling Club GS Metro, which is spread throughout the region, is bringing the nationals up north, and members are delighted to be showing off parts of rural Tynedale to a wide audience.

Club member Ben Lane, of Prudhoe, is leading the project. He said: “It’s a big event on the amateur cycling scene.

“Last year, there was a record field of 240 riders but that only tells part of the story as there were 370 entries but 130 had to be turned down to make the numbers suitable for a championship event.

“We should attract a similar number in October, and to get the national championship is quite a coup for our club, but more importantly for the area.

“The event is open to amateur and it usually gets a smattering of professional cyclists, so it gives everybody the chance to see how they fare against some of the very best.

“The nationals attract quite a big crowd and when I competed in Manchester in 2012, there was 4,000 people watching so people can expect a great atmosphere at the event.”

The route is a 1.1-mile incline from the foot of the hill off New Ridley Road, in Stocksfield, to the crest of the hill less than 100 metres before the Hedley on the Hill village signs.

GS Metro use the stretch of road for an open club championship each year, so are well versed in the challenge it will pose.

Starting at 10am, participants will set off individually at one minute intervals. There are competitions for juniors and adults, right through to veterans.

Lane said: “The course record is four minutes and 11 seconds, and that is slap bang in the middle as hill climbs usually range from very short routes which last one-and-a-half minute up to those that last nine or 10.

“It’s quite a technical climb which goes up three distinct steep inclines at 13 to 14 per cent, then some flat bits. Riders need to get the gearing right, and make sure not to run out of steam before they get to the top.

“There’s some hairpin bends too and when you get spectators on them it’s like an amphitheatre, so there will be a great atmosphere.”

During the event, Stocksfield Cricket Club will act as the race headquarters to host the hundreds of riders.

Chairman Chris Catnach said: “We are very proud to be part of it and are looking forward to welcoming them. The event attracted 4,000 spectators last time, so I’m not quite sure where all the cars are going to park!”

Entries for the RTTC National Hill Climb Championships close on Tuesday, October 10.

david.coulter@hexham-courant.co.uk