Perhaps conceitedly, I like to think I have the best knowledge of climbing The Rake out of anyone in the world. Although as I've never won the open event and am nowhere near the course record perhaps I don't. My rational behind this is that I live approximately 500m from the base. Throughout the year I tend to descend it home but come September The Rake becomes my playground and I do endless efforts up it honing my form.
The Rake is one of the true classic hill climbs hosting the national championships on several occasions, most recently in 2012. It's utterly formidable at the top and anyone who's done "the Rake" can be proud of adding it their palmares. The relentless final section, bounded by dry stone walls and handrail and provides iconic hill climb scenes. I would actually argue it is the hardest, most absurd stretch of tarmac in any UK hill climb. It's a true classic event and I emplor you to enter.
The course record is unreal. One of Jeff Wrights unbeatable times set before I was born in 1993. He is one of the all time greats, his course record is testament to his ability. Over the last few seasons several national champions have cut their teeth at this event, but none have broken the record. The closest was Joe Clark in 2016 who did 2:17.2 which was described as "the best hill climb performance I've ever seen" by an eyewitness.
The climb starts by the library near the centre of the delightful town of Ramsbottom and heads up Carr Street at 9% for 300m. There is a so called "respite" in the centre where the gradient is only 6% for 300m before turning up Rawsons Rake to the line. This stretch is 200m at an average of over 20% and is what makes the rake, The Rake. Mercifully the road levels off in the last 50-75m to the line.
One of the most iconic events on the calendar and worth a journey for any intrepid hill climber.
The Rake is one of the true classic hill climbs hosting the national championships on several occasions, most recently in 2012. It's utterly formidable at the top and anyone who's done "the Rake" can be proud of adding it their palmares. The relentless final section, bounded by dry stone walls and handrail and provides iconic hill climb scenes. I would actually argue it is the hardest, most absurd stretch of tarmac in any UK hill climb. It's a true classic event and I emplor you to enter.
The course record is unreal. One of Jeff Wrights unbeatable times set before I was born in 1993. He is one of the all time greats, his course record is testament to his ability. Over the last few seasons several national champions have cut their teeth at this event, but none have broken the record. The closest was Joe Clark in 2016 who did 2:17.2 which was described as "the best hill climb performance I've ever seen" by an eyewitness.
The climb starts by the library near the centre of the delightful town of Ramsbottom and heads up Carr Street at 9% for 300m. There is a so called "respite" in the centre where the gradient is only 6% for 300m before turning up Rawsons Rake to the line. This stretch is 200m at an average of over 20% and is what makes the rake, The Rake. Mercifully the road levels off in the last 50-75m to the line.
One of the most iconic events on the calendar and worth a journey for any intrepid hill climber.
2024 Event
After a solid ride at Jackson Bridge the day before, I was confident for a decent ride in better conditions today. It's always a weird one for me. I live so close and know it so well, that I think it's too easy for me to over pace and hold back too much. Whilst I felt good in good conditions, I did my literal identical performance for the 7th time. I can literally only ride 2:30 +/- 1 second.
This year it was only good enough for 6th! I would have liked more but the fastest times were impressive and Kieran Wynne-Cattanach beat for for the 4th time this season. It would be nice to perhaps do a race he doesn't do; if I want to win something. But even if I had a better rider, I couldn't have gone 12! seconds faster to win. I've got 2 weeks now to perfect my performance. A top 10 at Nationals seems viable and I would love to pull it off.
Some pictures from the day Alan Gibworth
This year it was only good enough for 6th! I would have liked more but the fastest times were impressive and Kieran Wynne-Cattanach beat for for the 4th time this season. It would be nice to perhaps do a race he doesn't do; if I want to win something. But even if I had a better rider, I couldn't have gone 12! seconds faster to win. I've got 2 weeks now to perfect my performance. A top 10 at Nationals seems viable and I would love to pull it off.
Some pictures from the day Alan Gibworth
2023 Event
It's always a big day for me. My family comes for the occasion and the home roads should give me an advantage. As I've stated before, I must know the climb better than anyone else but that can be a disadvantage as one can over pace it.
My garden warm up was lovely in the October sun and the clear skies promised dry roads and importantly no wheel slippage. I started well, got to the corner in what seemed easy so far but then eased off perhaps too much on the central flatter section. I knew what pain I was about to go through and was subconsciously avoiding it.
As I turned onto "The Rake", I found the perfect gear and let rip. It's a strange sensation hill climbing, obviously it's hard but it's almost meditative, I'm not really focussing on anything. I'm just travelling forwards, pedalling.
I never seemed to fade and just pushed through to the finish line.
Now this last 150m really did hurt but as I'd eased off so much in the middle, my legs were still "fresh" for the 25%. It was the fastest I've been up there in a hill climb, two seconds better than my previous best. I held over 600W for the 45s steep section and that's where I made the time up on everyone who placed after me.
I got demolished by Andy and Kieran who did sterling rides, they are simply better than me at shorter climbs. I am just physically not capable of going 6s faster. Third was a good result for me, I've been training for longer efforts so to podium on a short one is great. It's my 4th podium in 5 editions of the event.
One oddity this year was that as soon as I crossed the line the freehub disengaged and I couldn't pedal any more. Thankfully it didn't happen during the event but I better make sure that it's ok for nationals in two weeks.
My garden warm up was lovely in the October sun and the clear skies promised dry roads and importantly no wheel slippage. I started well, got to the corner in what seemed easy so far but then eased off perhaps too much on the central flatter section. I knew what pain I was about to go through and was subconsciously avoiding it.
As I turned onto "The Rake", I found the perfect gear and let rip. It's a strange sensation hill climbing, obviously it's hard but it's almost meditative, I'm not really focussing on anything. I'm just travelling forwards, pedalling.
I never seemed to fade and just pushed through to the finish line.
Now this last 150m really did hurt but as I'd eased off so much in the middle, my legs were still "fresh" for the 25%. It was the fastest I've been up there in a hill climb, two seconds better than my previous best. I held over 600W for the 45s steep section and that's where I made the time up on everyone who placed after me.
I got demolished by Andy and Kieran who did sterling rides, they are simply better than me at shorter climbs. I am just physically not capable of going 6s faster. Third was a good result for me, I've been training for longer efforts so to podium on a short one is great. It's my 4th podium in 5 editions of the event.
One oddity this year was that as soon as I crossed the line the freehub disengaged and I couldn't pedal any more. Thankfully it didn't happen during the event but I better make sure that it's ok for nationals in two weeks.
2019 Event
I was on flying form the weekend of The Rake, the day before I won Jackson Bridge and came second on Holme Moss (to the current national champion). Being my local event I was obsessed with winning that year. As the 2019 national course was long, most of the hill climb titans were doing the Welsh championship on the much longer Tumble, leaving the rake wide open for the taking.
My ride was actually very good. I paced it pretty much perfectly, the only place I can pinpoint losing time would be in the middle flatter section but I pretty much nailed my effort. I thought it would have been a winning time but alas it was only good for second place. Alex O'Brien (winner of the Scottish championships) put me away by 2 seconds. I was pretty disappointed and took the defeat badly as I was especially driven for that event.
My ride was actually very good. I paced it pretty much perfectly, the only place I can pinpoint losing time would be in the middle flatter section but I pretty much nailed my effort. I thought it would have been a winning time but alas it was only good for second place. Alex O'Brien (winner of the Scottish championships) put me away by 2 seconds. I was pretty disappointed and took the defeat badly as I was especially driven for that event.
How To Ride
The Rake starts hard but finishes harder. From the gun the road rises sharply until the first bend past the. pub on the right. It's important to get a good start and maintain momentum through the corner before it levels off. On the central false flat section you can "recover" here and compose yourself for what might possibly be the toughest stretch of tarmac in all UK hill climbs.
The road begins to steepen before the turn onto the actual Rake Road but it's hugely important to not ramp it up until you make the turn. On the few seconds before you turn pick your gear because as soon as you hit the rake you won't be able to change. I opt for a 42x25 but that might be bit large so I caution using that.
Once you hit the rake let it rip and let the crowd carry you. Keep your form and push past the corner. The steepest 20m is right at the top before the road curves left and you will lose so much time if you crack there. Once past the corner dig to the line, there is about 150m to go but it does level off and you can get up to speed before the line.
It's hard to get right and many people crack on the steepest section so pacing, gear choice and experience is vital. It's a short event so I would advise walking it before riding.
The road begins to steepen before the turn onto the actual Rake Road but it's hugely important to not ramp it up until you make the turn. On the few seconds before you turn pick your gear because as soon as you hit the rake you won't be able to change. I opt for a 42x25 but that might be bit large so I caution using that.
Once you hit the rake let it rip and let the crowd carry you. Keep your form and push past the corner. The steepest 20m is right at the top before the road curves left and you will lose so much time if you crack there. Once past the corner dig to the line, there is about 150m to go but it does level off and you can get up to speed before the line.
It's hard to get right and many people crack on the steepest section so pacing, gear choice and experience is vital. It's a short event so I would advise walking it before riding.
My Efforts
In third back in 2018 behind Dan Evans and David Huck
Tour of Britain 2019
In 2019 the final stage of the Tour of Britain did a lap of Manchester and went up The Rake. Naturally I went to watch and it was a spectacle. Pavel Sivakov from Ineos flew up there first followed quickly by Jimmy Janssens chaperoning Mathieu Van Der Poel. The front group also contained Matteo Trentin, a young Jake Stewart, a pre-world tour Matt Holmes and second in Paris Roubaix Nils Pollitt.
The atmosphere was electric and I think I'd have gone 10 seconds faster with a crown like that. It was just brilliant seeing so many avid fans screaming on their idols.
I have compiled a video of the clips I took,
The atmosphere was electric and I think I'd have gone 10 seconds faster with a crown like that. It was just brilliant seeing so many avid fans screaming on their idols.
I have compiled a video of the clips I took,
