Length (m) |
Average Gradient |
Men's CR |
Woman's CR |
Strava Segment |
1200 |
11% |
3:16.5 (Andrew Feather 2018) |
4:23.5 Maryka Sennema (2016) |
Length (m) |
1200 |
Average Gradient |
11% |
Men's CR |
3:16.5 (Andrew Feather 2018) |
Women's CR |
4:23.5 Maryka Sennema (2016) |
Strava Segment |
I actually really rate this climb, and I'd certainly categorise it as a classic British hill climb. Absolutely savage gradients, tight corners and intimate crowd; it's just ace.
Riber is stage 1 (and the tougher) of the Matlock double header and is typically teh final weekend before the national championships. It's the last chance for riders to hone their form and usually boasts a giant field and crowd.
It is a very tough hill climb to pace. The first third is very much like a standard hill climb, just a short ramp before flattening out for the next 6th before an incredibly tough final half. It hosted the national championships in 1986 which I imagine was an incredible day.
The 5 sharp corners in the steep half add to the technicality of it. You end up accelerating and slowing as you crest around them making it hard to gauge the effort.
Riber is stage 1 (and the tougher) of the Matlock double header and is typically teh final weekend before the national championships. It's the last chance for riders to hone their form and usually boasts a giant field and crowd.
It is a very tough hill climb to pace. The first third is very much like a standard hill climb, just a short ramp before flattening out for the next 6th before an incredibly tough final half. It hosted the national championships in 1986 which I imagine was an incredible day.
The 5 sharp corners in the steep half add to the technicality of it. You end up accelerating and slowing as you crest around them making it hard to gauge the effort.
2020 Event
This was the first of 2 hill climbs on the final Sunday before the national championships. The field was stacked (over 120 riders) and a lot of the favourites for the national championships title were there. I was hyper motivated and hoping I'd timed my form to perfection.
On my recce I realised that with such a back loaded peak in steepness it would require careful pacing to optimise my effort. I knew setting off too hard would absolutely destroy me. So I made sure I held back for the first 1/3.
I clipped in quickly and got up to speed but was restrained and held the effort at a manageable level on the first ramp.
I cruised over the flat section but there was a car on the road blocking the junction to the steep section. I waved my arms at them and they moved allowing me to charge up the road.
I hit the first steep corner and drilled it. As the road turned right I started to stand and just gave it my all. I'd paced it well and was still feeling great on the steepest section. I could churn my 42T front ring and spin at 90 RPM. The only issue was that I had too high a tire pressure. I'd sort have shot myself in the foot. I'd kept a lot back so I could smash the hairpins but because I was charging, I was pushing so much torque through the pedals that the wheel started to skip. I mitigated it as I could but it cost me a tiny amount.
I was pleased with my effort, I'd done 525NP for the 3:30 effort and my last minute was just under 600W. In hindsight I'd have pushed a bit harder in the first half as I had some (not a lot!) left in the tank as I crossed the line.
In all I was third, 10s behind a flying Andrew Feather and just 3 behind Andy Nichols which gave me another podium one week before the nationals.
On my recce I realised that with such a back loaded peak in steepness it would require careful pacing to optimise my effort. I knew setting off too hard would absolutely destroy me. So I made sure I held back for the first 1/3.
I clipped in quickly and got up to speed but was restrained and held the effort at a manageable level on the first ramp.
I cruised over the flat section but there was a car on the road blocking the junction to the steep section. I waved my arms at them and they moved allowing me to charge up the road.
I hit the first steep corner and drilled it. As the road turned right I started to stand and just gave it my all. I'd paced it well and was still feeling great on the steepest section. I could churn my 42T front ring and spin at 90 RPM. The only issue was that I had too high a tire pressure. I'd sort have shot myself in the foot. I'd kept a lot back so I could smash the hairpins but because I was charging, I was pushing so much torque through the pedals that the wheel started to skip. I mitigated it as I could but it cost me a tiny amount.
I was pleased with my effort, I'd done 525NP for the 3:30 effort and my last minute was just under 600W. In hindsight I'd have pushed a bit harder in the first half as I had some (not a lot!) left in the tank as I crossed the line.
In all I was third, 10s behind a flying Andrew Feather and just 3 behind Andy Nichols which gave me another podium one week before the nationals.
How To Ride
It's very hard to pace, you don't want to set out too hard because the savagery at the tail will destroy you but equally if you hold back too much there you will lose too much time. Set off well, hold the speed on the flat section and then give it everything through the hairpins to the top. The hairpins are slippy and poorly surfaced so drop your tyre pressure, especially if it's raining.
My Efforts
Year |
Time |
Power (W) |
Placing |
2020 |
3:30.8 |
511 W (525 NP) |
3rd |
Previous Results
Year |
Men's 1st |
Men's 2nd |
Men's 3rd |
Women's 1st |
Women's 2nd |
Women's 3rd |
2020 |
Andrew Feather 3:20.1 |
Andy Nichols 3:27.4 |
Jude Taylor 3:30.8 |
Jo Tindley 4:37.0 |
Becky Hair 4:41.2 |
Rebecca Richardson 4:46.1 |
