I always describe Jackson Bridge as the most decisive hill climb. The best hill climber and not necessarily the rider with the best W/kg wins. It's a real hill climb connoisseurs climb and it's one of, if not, my favourite hill climb.
It's got every ingredient to make it a classic: savage gradients, huge swings of pitch, tight turns, stunning scenery, intense crowds, classic length and a deep history.
The course record is absolutely outrageous and no one has got close in over 25 years. From what I understand only 3 people have been sub 4 minutes: Jeff Wright to set the record, Stuart Dangerfield to come second on the same day and an unknown (to me) third.
It hosted the national championships in 2015 (my first) where I placed a respectable 44th. I've always got a soft spot for this climb because it was where hill climbing truly gripped me.
Jackson Bridge has history. The winner receives the Granville Sydney memorial trophy (named eponymously after the 5 time national champion). Almost everyone who is anyone in hill climbing folklore is on that trophy, from former national champions Jim Henderson and Tejvan Pettinger to more recent champions such as Dan Evans and Matt Clinton. In 2019 I somehow scored my name on that list.
It's got every ingredient to make it a classic: savage gradients, huge swings of pitch, tight turns, stunning scenery, intense crowds, classic length and a deep history.
The course record is absolutely outrageous and no one has got close in over 25 years. From what I understand only 3 people have been sub 4 minutes: Jeff Wright to set the record, Stuart Dangerfield to come second on the same day and an unknown (to me) third.
It hosted the national championships in 2015 (my first) where I placed a respectable 44th. I've always got a soft spot for this climb because it was where hill climbing truly gripped me.
Jackson Bridge has history. The winner receives the Granville Sydney memorial trophy (named eponymously after the 5 time national champion). Almost everyone who is anyone in hill climbing folklore is on that trophy, from former national champions Jim Henderson and Tejvan Pettinger to more recent champions such as Dan Evans and Matt Clinton. In 2019 I somehow scored my name on that list.
2023 Event
After a disappointing 4th the previous week at Horseshoe Pass, I was pumped to do a good ride. My recce was good and I was feeling really fresh. The weather had warmed up a bit and with a slight tailwind it should have been a quick day. If I rode really well, there would be a chance I could win and I wanted to just bury myself to achieve that.
I started well, I felt fluid through the hairpins but steadily I could hear/feel my rear wheel starting to rub the brake. Not ideal. I sat in the saddle, trying to mitigate this but had to stand for the middle steep section. Disaster struck here and my rear wheel came loose. This jerked me across the road but I managed not to crash.
I naturally had to stop, reinsert it and properly tighten it this time. It's a comically stupid mistake to make, I hadn't tightened it properly beforehand and I blew my opportunity for a good ride. I kept my cool, and set off again without being too flustered. Obviously annoyed, I just let rip from there and tried to focus on the hill climb again. It was tough to get properly back into the rhythm but I did what I could.
Still when I got to the right hand corner, I just let rip and sprinted to the line. That part went really well to be fair, I averaged over 500W for the last 45 seconds and felt smooth.
I crossed the line in a time of 4:44.5, significantly down on the winner but still in second place. Comparing my ride to the winners, we were even after the first 300m and I started to lose time on the steep section before losing between 15-20 seconds with my stupidity. It's tough to compare the rest because my effort was so unorthodox but for the last 300m from the corner I didn't lose any time. I was still likely to place second but I think there would have been 10 or so seconds between us, not 30.
Stupid mistake to make but at least it happened now and I can make sure it doesn't happen again for more important races.
I started well, I felt fluid through the hairpins but steadily I could hear/feel my rear wheel starting to rub the brake. Not ideal. I sat in the saddle, trying to mitigate this but had to stand for the middle steep section. Disaster struck here and my rear wheel came loose. This jerked me across the road but I managed not to crash.
I naturally had to stop, reinsert it and properly tighten it this time. It's a comically stupid mistake to make, I hadn't tightened it properly beforehand and I blew my opportunity for a good ride. I kept my cool, and set off again without being too flustered. Obviously annoyed, I just let rip from there and tried to focus on the hill climb again. It was tough to get properly back into the rhythm but I did what I could.
Still when I got to the right hand corner, I just let rip and sprinted to the line. That part went really well to be fair, I averaged over 500W for the last 45 seconds and felt smooth.
I crossed the line in a time of 4:44.5, significantly down on the winner but still in second place. Comparing my ride to the winners, we were even after the first 300m and I started to lose time on the steep section before losing between 15-20 seconds with my stupidity. It's tough to compare the rest because my effort was so unorthodox but for the last 300m from the corner I didn't lose any time. I was still likely to place second but I think there would have been 10 or so seconds between us, not 30.
Stupid mistake to make but at least it happened now and I can make sure it doesn't happen again for more important races.
2019 Event
I had a great season in 2019 and the victory on Jackson Bridge was the icing on the cake. I can't remember all the details but I remember feeling great on the day. I pushed a strong 486W for 4:14 and took first place
How To Ride
Jackson Bridge starts at the steepest section and you quickly pass through the switchbacks. It's important to not dig too deep too early here; it's very easy to get carried away but it's asking for trouble. Once past the switchbacks the gradient eases to what feels almost flat but it's building up to the toughest section.
The middle steep section is straight and important to press on. Keep a good cadence and strong form here as there is a slight easement but not enough to recover anything meaningful. From here the climb opens up and you can see the finish to the right. Keep pressing on here as there is a brief rest to come.
The only respite is on the 90 degree turn before the charge to the finish. If I was riding a double front ring I would ride in the big chainring here (as long as you can push it). It's only 300m to go but if you've paced it right it'll really burn.
It's tough to get right first time but with experience at race pace it will easier to master.
The middle steep section is straight and important to press on. Keep a good cadence and strong form here as there is a slight easement but not enough to recover anything meaningful. From here the climb opens up and you can see the finish to the right. Keep pressing on here as there is a brief rest to come.
The only respite is on the 90 degree turn before the charge to the finish. If I was riding a double front ring I would ride in the big chainring here (as long as you can push it). It's only 300m to go but if you've paced it right it'll really burn.
It's tough to get right first time but with experience at race pace it will easier to master.
My Efforts
Year |
Time |
Power (W) |
Placing |
2019 |
4:14.4 |
486 |
1st |
2018 |
4:33.2 |
487 (Old PM) |
5th |
2016 |
4:37.0 |
473 (Old PM) |
6th |
2015 |
4:56.3 (Nationals Course) |
459 (Old PM) |
44th (Nat Champs) |
2023 |
4:44.5 (mechanical) |
449W |
2nd |
Pictures and Videos
Me with that trophy in 2019
A video of Jeff breaking the course record in 1994
Me getting interviewed after taking the victory in 2019
Just at the crest of the starting hairpins in 2023.
