Length (m) |
Average Gradient |
Mens CR |
Womans CR |
Strava Segment |
650 |
12% |
1:36.8 Calum Brown (21/10/18) |
2:26.6 Rebecca Richardson (20/10/19) |
An iconic climb in the centre of Matlock, Derbyshire. Bank Road HC is one of the most well attended events in the calendar and the final climb in the "Matlock Double". Bank Road hosted the national championship in 2016 (where I was 32nd) and I have very fond memories from that day.
It's a very simple climb, straight up at 12%. That's pretty much it but the tight town centre roads make for an intimate, potent experience. I would high recommend competing in the Matlock double as Riber in the morning is another enchanting climb. If you are feeling especially devious you can do Beeley Moor to make it 3 in a day.
Bank Road has zero turns and simply starts at the bus stop at the bottom and finishes at the junction at the top before the road bends to the right. Out of every hill climb this is one of, if not the most suited to a power sprinter. It's very short and extremely steep. Calum Brown has the course record and it's one of those that I don't think will ever get broken, sub 1:40 is outrageous.
It's a very simple climb, straight up at 12%. That's pretty much it but the tight town centre roads make for an intimate, potent experience. I would high recommend competing in the Matlock double as Riber in the morning is another enchanting climb. If you are feeling especially devious you can do Beeley Moor to make it 3 in a day.
Bank Road has zero turns and simply starts at the bus stop at the bottom and finishes at the junction at the top before the road bends to the right. Out of every hill climb this is one of, if not the most suited to a power sprinter. It's very short and extremely steep. Calum Brown has the course record and it's one of those that I don't think will ever get broken, sub 1:40 is outrageous.
2020 Event
I never go well on the second climb in a day but today I was scratch rider. I'd had 4 hours to dwell after my 3rd place on Riber in the morning and obviously I wanted to win the overall. In the four hour gap, I did a couple of reps to gauge the effort. I knew I could slam it from the cross roads and wanted to hold back a little bit so I could do just that.
On my warm up I felt slightly fatigued from the earlier effort but I was buzzed from some caffeine and a caramel shortbread. I rocked up to the start line as last man and had some jovial words with the timekeepers that I'd be as fast as I could so they could get home early.
I clipped in well, got up to speed then sat for the first few strokes until I felt ready to stand. Once standing, I felt good, much better than my warm up suggested and by the halfway mark I was still stood. I had strong rhythm and had good sensations so powered on.
There was a socially distanced crowd at the cross roads and I shifted up a couple of cogs and gave it my all. I had a surprising burst of power and set the KOM for the final 3rd of the climb. I somehow held 650w for the final 45s. This showed a couple of things, firstly that I could really dig deep at the end and secondly that perhaps I hadn't gone hard enough on the first 2/3rds.
I crossed the line with a time of 1:53 and a power PB of 616w. I was very pleased with my final burst to the line and it gave me good motivation for the national next week as that is the short of power I will be aiming for.
On my warm up I felt slightly fatigued from the earlier effort but I was buzzed from some caffeine and a caramel shortbread. I rocked up to the start line as last man and had some jovial words with the timekeepers that I'd be as fast as I could so they could get home early.
I clipped in well, got up to speed then sat for the first few strokes until I felt ready to stand. Once standing, I felt good, much better than my warm up suggested and by the halfway mark I was still stood. I had strong rhythm and had good sensations so powered on.
There was a socially distanced crowd at the cross roads and I shifted up a couple of cogs and gave it my all. I had a surprising burst of power and set the KOM for the final 3rd of the climb. I somehow held 650w for the final 45s. This showed a couple of things, firstly that I could really dig deep at the end and secondly that perhaps I hadn't gone hard enough on the first 2/3rds.
I crossed the line with a time of 1:53 and a power PB of 616w. I was very pleased with my final burst to the line and it gave me good motivation for the national next week as that is the short of power I will be aiming for.
2016 National Championship Memories
It was my second national champs and I have very fond memories from then. A couple of weeks before the big day I'd gone out there with the rest of the B38 squad to recce it so I knew what to expect on the day. However, this pretty much went out of the window as soon as I set off.
I remember the crowds being insane and the atmosphere was like no other hill climb I'd done before or since. Because the climb is so short everyone was crammed together making it so loud and intense. The crowd from that day really sticks with me.
I got there pretty early and walked the climb to feel the vibe and saw Kieran Wynn-Cattanch set off. He went off like a rocket and I thought he might blow but he actually pulled out a stonking ride to come 4th. I'm pretty sure I was stood with his Dad at the startline and we exchanged pleasantries.
Anyways my ride. In my head I had the mentality that I could actually win so I set out at an unbelievable pace. I was actually top 5 at the halfway split. Obviously I was not good enough to maintain that pace and as the road turned right (onto the extended course) I died. The crowd also disappeared at that point so I had no one to cheer me on to the line. In all I came 32nd which I was pleased with.
As I was sat recovering Richard Bussell (2015 champion) crossed the line. The catchers went to grab him and he replied "no I'm ok" and carried on riding! He was on a fixed gear with toe straps so I think he wanted to stop himself but at the time it seemed as though he was still fresh enough to carry on.
Adam Kenway won having been hit by a car the week breaking his wrist. He was sensational that season and managed to win on someone else's bike.
I remember the crowds being insane and the atmosphere was like no other hill climb I'd done before or since. Because the climb is so short everyone was crammed together making it so loud and intense. The crowd from that day really sticks with me.
I got there pretty early and walked the climb to feel the vibe and saw Kieran Wynn-Cattanch set off. He went off like a rocket and I thought he might blow but he actually pulled out a stonking ride to come 4th. I'm pretty sure I was stood with his Dad at the startline and we exchanged pleasantries.
Anyways my ride. In my head I had the mentality that I could actually win so I set out at an unbelievable pace. I was actually top 5 at the halfway split. Obviously I was not good enough to maintain that pace and as the road turned right (onto the extended course) I died. The crowd also disappeared at that point so I had no one to cheer me on to the line. In all I came 32nd which I was pleased with.
As I was sat recovering Richard Bussell (2015 champion) crossed the line. The catchers went to grab him and he replied "no I'm ok" and carried on riding! He was on a fixed gear with toe straps so I think he wanted to stop himself but at the time it seemed as though he was still fresh enough to carry on.
Adam Kenway won having been hit by a car the week breaking his wrist. He was sensational that season and managed to win on someone else's bike.
How To Ride
Short and sharp. Very much full gas from the start. There is absolutely no let up so if you need to sit don't sit for long.
I like to get up to pace and then stand for as long as I can to maximise power output. The cross roads is a key marker and come around 400m in. Once you pass that you'll be able to see the finish; it's only 40-50s to go so give it everything from there.
I like to get up to pace and then stand for as long as I can to maximise power output. The cross roads is a key marker and come around 400m in. Once you pass that you'll be able to see the finish; it's only 40-50s to go so give it everything from there.
My Efforts
Year |
Time |
Power (W) |
Placing |
2020 |
1:53.8 |
616 |
3rd |
2016 |
2:38.3 (long course) |
550 (old PM) |
32nd |
Previous Results
Year |
Men's 1st |
Men's 2nd |
Men's 3rd |
Women's 1st |
Women's 2nd |
Women's 3rd |
2020 |
Cameron Biddle 1:46.9 |
Andy Nichols 1:47.9 |
Jude Taylor 1:53.8 |
Becky Hair 2:38.0 |
Jo Tindley 2:39.8 |
Nicola Soden 2:55.8 |
Me looking fly in the 2016 National Champs
