Length (m) |
Average Gradient |
Mens CR |
Womans CR |
Strava Segment |
750 |
13% |
2:04.8 Andrew Feather (25/10/20) |
2:47.9 Bithja Jones (25/10/20) |
A very simple but steep climb in the heart of Berkshire almost in view of the River Thames. Streatley hosted the national hill climb in 2020 which was won by Andrew Feather (with me in 7th place). Streatley is only a short climb with the course record being just over 2 minutes but it is steep, averaging 13% for it's 750m length. For those familiar with the climb "the Rake", Streatley is approximately 10-15s shorter so suits a short explosive effort.
The course starts just past the turning to the housing estate and finishes by the car park at the top. The climb starts with a gradual 8-10% for the first 200m before curving left and into the steepest section. The middle section is by far the most difficult and averages a tasty 16% for 300m but as you pass the house on the left you know you are at the beginning of the end. At the house there is only 250m to go and only 100m of climbing as the road levels off to leave 150m of flat to the finish.
The surface is quite poor and it can be difficult to find a good line especially towards the top. The road is bounded by trees on both sides which keeps the dampness on the road which combined with the poor surface can lead to grip issues.
It is a great hill climb, being so short you can go full gas from the start but there is little margin for error and you will lose a lot of time if you blow.
The course starts just past the turning to the housing estate and finishes by the car park at the top. The climb starts with a gradual 8-10% for the first 200m before curving left and into the steepest section. The middle section is by far the most difficult and averages a tasty 16% for 300m but as you pass the house on the left you know you are at the beginning of the end. At the house there is only 250m to go and only 100m of climbing as the road levels off to leave 150m of flat to the finish.
The surface is quite poor and it can be difficult to find a good line especially towards the top. The road is bounded by trees on both sides which keeps the dampness on the road which combined with the poor surface can lead to grip issues.
It is a great hill climb, being so short you can go full gas from the start but there is little margin for error and you will lose a lot of time if you blow.
2020 National Championships
The National Hill Climb is one of, if not my favourite events of the year, it's always such a magical day and a brilliant way to end the season.
I'd had a successful season prior to the National with 3 wins (including a course record), 3 second places and 2 third places. With those results I this was seeded as 6th favourite and designated one of the "hill climb Gods" who set off after 1pm as one spectator described.
I like short and sharp hill climbs as I can go all out without too much pacing. They also tend to be over before you know it leaving little margin for error.
I'd been freshening up the days before and I felt great on my warm up. I put some tunes on and got into the groove. My mate Jack O'Neill helped adorn my arm numbers and once I'd completed the routine I set off to the start a short 10 minute ride from the HQ.
It was actually very intense in the starting gate, the marshals timing system ticking down, the two rows of riders under a tent made it a tad claustrophobic. A lovely marshall tried to talk to me on the startline but I was so nervous all I could muster was a vague description of my nerves. I knew I'd spent a considerable amount of my life focussing on this one event and I just wanted to have a good ride and not let myself down. As Andy Nichols told me earlier in the day "you can't control anyone else". He was right, I can't, I can only do my effort and hope it's enough.
My 30s man was the previous course record holder Cameron Biddle. He set out like an absolute rocket, I was a bit taken a back of how quick he set out and I'm sure I heard someone mutter "wow".
I started well, got into a good gear and pressed hard on the pedals (obviously). I knew this was the big day but didn't want to set out too hard and crack as I did in 2017. I took the left hand bend tight and experienced a slight bit of wheelspin, even with only 60psi in! From then I switched to the slightly better (and dryer) surface in the middle.
At the base of the steep section I could see Cameron Biddle and thought to myself "that gap is not 30s". It proved not to be as he had lost some pace as the gradient sharpened.
I was really into the magical "flow" of a hill climb by the halfway mark and barely even felt anything but a desire to get up that hill. Before I knew it I was at the house on the left which signified 250m to go. I was starting to burn here but knew that in 100m time the road would flatten out so I dug with all I had to get there. Taking the right hander as tight as I could I crested and had to sit for the first time. It lasted about 0.1 seconds before I stood to sprint for the line. I'm sure I was pulling some ghastly faces at this point but I was giving it everything to cross that line.
I was in bits by the top (as you can imagine) and lay in the grass until my rents came to find me. It was definitely the deepest I'd dug all season and was pleased to get it all out. I was pleased with my effort and kept repeating "I couldn't have gone any harder". My effort was good enough for 7th, my first top 10 in the national and provably about what I deserved based on my other results this year. I was 10s down on the top two riders, which is unreal. There's no way I could have found that much time.
Reflecting on my ride a couple of days layer, I am still pleased with effort. I really just wanted a good clean ride without major mistake and to not let myself down after a successful season so far. I achieved just that, it was my best ever power for 2 minutes and the 2:15 it took me to get to the top which is around 9.2 W/kg so I can't complain at all! Let's see what I can do on Winnats Pass next year.
I'd had a successful season prior to the National with 3 wins (including a course record), 3 second places and 2 third places. With those results I this was seeded as 6th favourite and designated one of the "hill climb Gods" who set off after 1pm as one spectator described.
I like short and sharp hill climbs as I can go all out without too much pacing. They also tend to be over before you know it leaving little margin for error.
I'd been freshening up the days before and I felt great on my warm up. I put some tunes on and got into the groove. My mate Jack O'Neill helped adorn my arm numbers and once I'd completed the routine I set off to the start a short 10 minute ride from the HQ.
It was actually very intense in the starting gate, the marshals timing system ticking down, the two rows of riders under a tent made it a tad claustrophobic. A lovely marshall tried to talk to me on the startline but I was so nervous all I could muster was a vague description of my nerves. I knew I'd spent a considerable amount of my life focussing on this one event and I just wanted to have a good ride and not let myself down. As Andy Nichols told me earlier in the day "you can't control anyone else". He was right, I can't, I can only do my effort and hope it's enough.
My 30s man was the previous course record holder Cameron Biddle. He set out like an absolute rocket, I was a bit taken a back of how quick he set out and I'm sure I heard someone mutter "wow".
I started well, got into a good gear and pressed hard on the pedals (obviously). I knew this was the big day but didn't want to set out too hard and crack as I did in 2017. I took the left hand bend tight and experienced a slight bit of wheelspin, even with only 60psi in! From then I switched to the slightly better (and dryer) surface in the middle.
At the base of the steep section I could see Cameron Biddle and thought to myself "that gap is not 30s". It proved not to be as he had lost some pace as the gradient sharpened.
I was really into the magical "flow" of a hill climb by the halfway mark and barely even felt anything but a desire to get up that hill. Before I knew it I was at the house on the left which signified 250m to go. I was starting to burn here but knew that in 100m time the road would flatten out so I dug with all I had to get there. Taking the right hander as tight as I could I crested and had to sit for the first time. It lasted about 0.1 seconds before I stood to sprint for the line. I'm sure I was pulling some ghastly faces at this point but I was giving it everything to cross that line.
I was in bits by the top (as you can imagine) and lay in the grass until my rents came to find me. It was definitely the deepest I'd dug all season and was pleased to get it all out. I was pleased with my effort and kept repeating "I couldn't have gone any harder". My effort was good enough for 7th, my first top 10 in the national and provably about what I deserved based on my other results this year. I was 10s down on the top two riders, which is unreal. There's no way I could have found that much time.
Reflecting on my ride a couple of days layer, I am still pleased with effort. I really just wanted a good clean ride without major mistake and to not let myself down after a successful season so far. I achieved just that, it was my best ever power for 2 minutes and the 2:15 it took me to get to the top which is around 9.2 W/kg so I can't complain at all! Let's see what I can do on Winnats Pass next year.
How To Ride
It's a classic short and sharp effort; very much full gas from the start. As it's so short it is worth standing as much as possible. I like to get up to speed, sit for 10s and then stand for as long as I can. There is absolutely no let up, so if you need to sit it should be for as little time as possible.
The crucial part of the climb is the middle 400m until the right hand at the top. This is where you want to get all the effort out. If you've started too hard you will crack towards the top, so it's important to judge your effort well.
The last 150m is flat and is where you want to get up to speed and sprint for the line. Give it whatever you have left!
The crucial part of the climb is the middle 400m until the right hand at the top. This is where you want to get all the effort out. If you've started too hard you will crack towards the top, so it's important to judge your effort well.
The last 150m is flat and is where you want to get up to speed and sprint for the line. Give it whatever you have left!
My Efforts
Year |
Time |
Power (W) |
Placing |
2020 |
2:15.8 |
590 |
7th |
Previous Results
Year |
Mens 1st |
Mens 2nd |
Mens 3rd |
Womens 1st |
Womens 2nd |
Womens 3rd |
2020 |
Andrew Feather 2:04.8 |
Tom Bell 2:05.9 |
Adam Kenway 2:08.6 |
Bithja Jones 2:47.9 |
Mary Wilkinson 2:50.8 |
Monica Greenwood 2:58.8 |
Skip to 4:08 to see my flying to the line
