Climb Like A King

With the National Hill-Climb Championships just a fortnight away, Jim Cotton speaks to champion climbers to find out how we can all go faster uphill — and maybe bag a KoM along the way

- Jim Cotton

Now that the road racing, TT and sportive seasons have ended, you may want to put your summer form to a different kind of use. Hill-climb racing may seem a slightly bonkers niche, with its backwards caps, stripped-down bikes and whippet-thin competitors — but perhaps they’re on to something. You can’t fight gravity, but you can keep very fit trying!

Why not try out this autumnal cycling pursuit and test yourself uphill — even if it’s just for fun against your mates? Your end-of-season fitness won’t last forever so now is the time to go smash some segments and set some PBs on your local climbs. To help you in your quest for that elusive KoM, we spoke to some national hill-climb champions past and present to find out how to train your body and mind to ride uphill very, very fast.

Even at the top level, Strava is a key tool for many hill-climbers as they look to reach their peak climbing form. We asked two former national hill-climb champions, Joscelin Lowden and Adam Kenway, why they seek motivation through the platform.

“Chasing segments is brilliant training for hill-climbs,” says 31-year-old Lowden. “When I’m targeting segments, it’s as much about beating my own time as it is about getting a QoM. Like a lot of people, I need a competitive element to really motivate me to push the pain barriers enough to be in the best shape.”

Kenway, 32, agrees: “A lot of my hill climb training revolves around hunting down KoMs or segment PBs. It feels similar to having a number on your back and racing. Knowing I’m being ranked always helps me get that bit more out of myself, ensuring I achieve the intensity I need.”

What is climb-specific fitness?