Events: Bec Cycling Club 67th Annual Open Hill Climb

This weekend is the 67th Annual Bec Hill Climb with British Champion Bithja Jones, a winner at Monsal, one of the star riders

Events: Bec Cycling Club 67th Annual Open Hill Climb

This weekend, the 67th Annual Bec Hill Climb. Well, actually, it’s only the 65th, because in 1987 and 2020 both events were cancelled at the Eleventh Hour, but it is the 67th Year. In 1987 it was Cancelled by Mother Nature, hurling the ‘Great Storm’ upon us, and in 2020 it had to be Cancelled because of last Minute Covid bureaucracy!

Anyway, here we are in 2022, all set and ready to go, but as many of our Regular Supporters will notice, our 2022 Version of the ‘Carnival on the Hill’ has been Trimmed back yet again! Not as much as in 2021, but there are still many aspects of the Event that we have not been able to put into place, mainly due to lack of Funds… Fingers crossed, in 2023, we will be able to Present the Event in its Full Dressage of Pre Covid Years…

Now to the Positive Front.
We now own our own PA System and Eurosport Commentator Tony Gibb will once again make use of it. Tony who brings his Unique way of keeping the Crowds entertained with well researched Rider info & banter, has become such an Integral part of our Event that we just couldn’t cut him out of the proceedings. We still have a Closed Road thanks to Surrey Council, who have supported us in Granting a Road Closure Order for many Years now. Without their Assistance, I think its fair to say, that it would be nigh impossible to run the Event in a Safe & enjoyable manner these days…

We have also once again recruited the Services of two Excellent Timekeepers, Mick Irons & Richard Blackmore both of whom manage to stay Calm, Collected & Professional in their roles of what can sometimes be a very stressful job. and we have YOU, the Riders, the Spectators who make this Event what it is…I hope you have a Great Afternoons Entertainment, and will return for many future Editions of this Race.

Thanks all of you for your Support. Garry Beckett, event Organizer on behalf of Bec CC

HISTORY OF THE EVENT
The Bec Hill Climb was first run in 1956, and was organised by Ron Beckett. It was won by his Brother-in-law Jim Pentecost (pictured below) Bec C.C. who was a pretty good climber in his Day, and brought a bit of Fame to the Bec, by Winning the Catford C.C’s Hill Climb, a Blue Riband event, as a Rank outsider aged just 18. In the Bec CC, we like to boast a fair amount of Old Traditional Awards for our Hill Climb, and this year we have added a New ‘Old’ Trophy as you will read further on. The Original winner’s trophy and the Team Trophy are both Old & recycled – The former from a gardening show and the latter from an ex-pats tennis competition in Egypt in the 30’s.

In recent Years we added Medals to the Podium for the Winners of Various Categories. And this Year, we have added to the Collection with a Lovely old Piece of ‘Recycled’ Silverware to be awarded to the Winner of the Women’s Category… This Trophy was first Presented by the Polytechnic C.C. in 1929 to the Handicap Winner of a 24 Hour Tandem Paced Event! We are guessing this must have been a Track Event, but are unable to find out any History of that Event?

It was later Awarded, (1950 till late 80’s) to the Winners of the ‘George Brake’ Tournament, which was a prestigeous Event that attracted Bicycle Polo Teams from all over the UK to compete at Purley Way, Croydon, for a Weekend long ‘league basis’ frenzy of Bicycle skills, thrills and spills, in what was a Fantastic Sport. Maybe in future years we can add more Trophies with interesting History, to be awarded for all Categories. Watch this Space…..

Over the years, this event has seen some great individual rides. Don Awcock’s five wins in six years, Steve Marchant’s five wins, and Garry Dodd’s (Kingston Phoenix) six wins, including a Dead Heat with Bill Bell (Gemini BC) over his sixteen year ‘Hill Climber’ period. The coveted Team trophy has also seen multiple wins by many clubs, with most notably the Nomads Hitchin CC and De Laune CC jointly hold the record of 8 wins.

In 1987 the “great storm” that occurred two days before the event rendered the hill impassable with a dozen fallen trees across the road. And in 2020 the event had to be cancelled due to Covid Restrictions. In recent years, the event has grown into a local classic under the leadership of Garry Beckett and many famous names have graced the start sheet; probably none more famous than Tour de France winner and multiple Olympic champion Bradley Wiggins, who participated in the 2005 50th edition as a tribute to his “old friend” and founder of the event Ron Beckett who had passed away in the Easter of that year.

2010 saw the arrival of a new claimant to the ‘King of the Hill’ title in 15 year old Germain Burton with a winning time of 1.45.3, where he beat some of the UK’s top Professional riders from the likes of the Rapha Condor & Raleigh Squads. Coming back to defend his title in 2011 Germain again beat a quality field knocking time of off his own PB to end up with 1.45.1. 2012 a new champion, and a new record. Jack Pullar set the bar very high with 1.42.9, which began his hat trick of wins.

2014 was a spectacular year, when David Millar rode our event as his last Race in the professional ranks. A Record massive crowd lined both sides of the hill to cheer David on his way, and also support his fellow Competitors.. David had hoped to go out with a Bang by not only Winning the Event, but by also setting a New Record..Sadly this didn’t happen for him, as competing with a broken hand sustained in a Crash in La Vuelta a few days before, it impacted on his performance. Our tea stall however, set a New Record, by selling over 600+ cups of tea! 2020, and for the 2nd Time in its History the Event had to be Cancelled. Not due to fallen trees this time, but instead because of the Covid Pandemic and restrictions on being Granted a Road Closure ..

2021 and the Event was back on, albeit in a ‘stripped back’ guise as an ongoing legacy of the lockdown. No Tea Stall ( a big part of our Event income), No podium, No resultboard, No Awards Ceremony, and No Glossy Printed Programmes was a bitter Pill to swallow after many years of building the Event Up. But Still a good field, and reasonable sized crowds made for a Great afternoons entertainment.. But definitely a downturn from Pre Covid Years…

And so to 2022..Sadly, we once again have had to strip back the Event from our normal setup. Not as much as in 2021, but still a long way short of how we would like to Present the Bec C.C’s ‘shop window’ Event.. Hopefully 2023 will see us back to normal, with a Full Entry, Full Infrastructure, and Massive Crowds…

Garry Beckett
Event Organiser on behalf of the Bec Cycling Club

… continued after the advert.

CROWD FUNDING
In 2015, a change in the ruling of being granted a road closure, and the subsequent new fee, almost saw the event having to be struck from the calendar…but, thanks to those who contributed to our crowd funding appeal in 2015 we were able to cover the cost of the road closure for the last six years. However the remaining funds have now almost run out, so if there is a generous benefactor who might be able to assist safeguard the future of this event, then please get in touch

COURSE GH/31: Start in White Lane, Titsey, 40 yards from junction with B269. Proceed uphill in northerly direction to Finish at top of hill 75yards before the junction with B2024, Clark’s Lane. Nearest postcode TN16 2JT

START SHEET
1. ADRIAN BROWN TWICKENHAM C.C. V 14.01
2. RIYADH KHAMIS FULL GAS RACING TEAM V 14.02
3. DANIEL KAY PENGE C.C. V 14.03
4. PAUL WELLMAN EPSOM C.C. 14.04
5. KEVIN ARMSTRONG WOOLWICH C.C. 14.05
6. DOMINIC HILL PARTENZA-NUDE ESPRESSO 14.06
7. OLIVER MELVILLE-SMITH CHARLOTTEVILLE C.C. V 14.07
8. DAN YOUNGER PECKHAM C.C. V 14.08
9. DEBBIE PERCIVAL KENT VELO WV 14.09
10. DAVID PROM SAN FAIRY ANN C.C. V 14.10
11. TONY DODSWORTH AUDAX UK 14.11
12. CHARLOTTE DALTON JADEN VIVE LE VELO W 14.12
13. PAUL CLARK RIDE TRIBE RACING V 14.13
14. JESSICA LAM WOOLWICH C.C. W 14.14
15. AVINASH MAHANDRU PARLAY C.C. 14.15
16. ASHLEY BAKER LEWES WANDERERS C.C. V 14.16
17. IAN SHORT TEAM SALESENGINE.CO.UK V 14.17
18. LOUISE VARDEMAN G.S.HENLEY WV 14.18
19. MANTAS NOREIKA LEE VALLEY YOUTH C.C. J 14.19
20. DAVID HALL DORKING C.C. 14.20
21. ALI CIGARI KINGSTON WHEELERS C.C. 14.21
22. LIAM McLAUGHLIN ARTIC AIRCON R.T. 14.22
23. MATT THOMPSON TEAM CYSTIC FIBROSIS JV 14.23
24. JAMES NICHOLS OXFORD UNIVERSITY C.C. 14.24
25. CHRISTIAN NEAL STH-BORO & DISTRICT WHLRS C.C. 14.25
26. WILL ADAMS RAPHA C.C. V 14.26
27. JASPER GRIFFIN KINGSTON WHEELERS C.C. 14.27
28. OWEN VIDLER HASTINGS & ST LEANORDS C.C. 14.28
29. NIGEL PEPPER ADDISCOMBE C.C. V 14.29
30. WENDY MATHIE PENGE C.C. WV 14.30
31. ALEX HAMILTON DULWICH PARAGON C.C. V 14.31
32. GLEN WHITTINGTON STH-BORO & DISTRICT WHLRS C.C. 14.32
33. KRISTOF DE BOULE WOOLWICH C.C. 14.33
34. ALEXANDER COMWELL PARLAY C.C. V 14.34
35. DYLAN GREEN BIGFOOT C.C. V 14.35
36. OMAR MALIK STH-BORO & DISTRICT WHLRS C.C. 14.36
37. TINA LOHR HORSHAM C.C. W 14.37
38. RICHARD APPLIN ONYS R.T. 14.38
39. ROWAN BRACKSTON CHARLOTTEVILLE C.C. 14.39
40. THOMAS SELLER OXTED C.C. 14.40
41. JOHN BLIGHT RAPHA C.C. 14.41
42. HUNTER THOMSON BRIXTON CYCLES C.C. 14.42
43. BEN NEAL STH-BORO & DISTRICT WHLRS C.C. J 14.43
44. CHARLIE OPENSHAW TEAM LIFTING GEAR PRODUCTS V 14.44
45. MARC DUNN WOOLWICH C.C. 14.45
46. FREDDIE JAGGER TEAM LIFTING GEAR PRODUCTS 14.46
47. TOM KENNET KINGSTON WHEELERS C.C. 14.47
48. JAMES KING OVB 14.48
49. JAMES SCRIVENER READING C.C. 14.49
50. STU CLARK READING C.C. V 14.50
51. FRANCIS EADES ISLINGTON C.C. 14.51
52. HARRIET HERNANDO MAIDENHEAD & DISTRICT C.C. W 14.52
53. RICHARD CARTLAND HUNTBIKEWHEELS.COM V 14.53
54. HAMISH McDOUGAL TEAM LIFTING GEAR PRODUCTS 14.54
55. WILLIAM COLLIE UNIVERSITY OF WARWICK C.C. 14.55
56. CHRIS BALKHAM OXTED C.C. V 14.56
57. RYAN OLDHAM READING C.C. 14.57
58. SCOTT PALMER BRIDGENORTH C.C. V 14.58
59. NICHOLAS LATIMER TEAM LIFTING GEAR PRODUCTS V 14.59
60. BITHJA JONES PANKHURST CYCLES WV 15.00
61. DANNY LAKE 360VRT V 15.01
62. WILL LOWDEN WATTSHOP 15.02

FORMER WINNERS LIST
1956 J. Pentecost / Bec CC 2.01.4
1957 J. Pentecost / Bec CC 2.05.4
1958 M. Robinson / East Grinstead CC 2.11.6
1959 D. Patten / Tunbridge Wells CC 2.03.0
1960 S. Burgess / Kingston Wheelers CC 2.12.4
1961 D. Patten / Tunbridge Wells CC 2.03.0
1962 K. Fuller / De Laune CC 1.59.2
1963 D. Patten / Tunbridge Wells CC 2.12.0
1964 D. Patten / Tunbridge Wells CC 2.06.6
1965 P. Brunt / Glade CC 2.1.0
1966 D. Patten / Tunbridge Wells CC 2.09.0
1967 P. Greenhalgh / Nottingham Arrow CC 2.03.2
1968 P. Greenhalgh / Nottingham Arrow CC 2.00.1
1969 R. Goodfellow / Beacon RC 2.08.4
1970 C. Kearley / Whitewebbs CC 2.05.0
1971 M. Pendleton / Luton Wheelers CC 2.1.8
1972 C. Purdy / Beacon RC 2.05.2
1973 M. Pendleton / Luton Wheelers CC 2.09.0
1974 C. Purdy / Beacon RC 2.09.8
1975 C. Purdy / Beacon RC 2.05.8
1976 D. Awcock / Central Sussex CC 2.06.6
1977 R. Downs / VC Simtich 1.59.4
1978 D. Awcock / Central Sussex CC 2.01.6
1979 D. Awcock / Central Sussex CC 2.01.0
1980 D. Awcock / Central Sussex CC 1.59.0
1981 D. Awcock / Central Sussex CC 2.05.8
1982 S. Marchant / Central Sussex CC 1.59.1
1983 P. Mason / San Fairy Ann CC 1.57.2
1984 S. Marchant / South Eastern RC 1.56.9
1985 S. Marchant / South Eastern RC 2.00.7
1986 C. Lillywhite / VC D’or 1.53.8
1987 Event cancelled (Great Storm)
1988 S. Mitchell / Kingston Phoenix RC 2.09.4
1989 S. Marchant / CC Orpington 1.52.1
1990 S. Marchant / South Eastern RC 1.51.0
1991 G. Dodd / Kingston Phoenix RC 2.01.4
1992 G. Dodd / Kingston Phoenix RC 1.56.0
1993 G. Dodd / Kingston Phoenix RC 1.57.1
1994 G. Dodd / Kingston Phoenix RC 1.58.8
1995 G. Dodd / Kingston Phoenix RC 1.44.4
1996 D. Wiley / VC Londres 1.55.6
1997 J. Henderson / Oxford University CC 1.49.1
1998 M. Goodes / De Laune CC 1.57.02
1999 J. Henderson / Terry Wright Cycles 1.49.9
2000 G. Baker / Anglia Sport 1.53.96
2001 M. Goodes / De Laune CC 1.56.8
2002 M. Goodes / De Laune CC 2.05.86
2003 R. English / Stockport Wheelers 1.58.39
2004 B. Bell / Gemini BC 1.55.0
2005 J. Crawforth / Evans Cycles RT 1.47.53
2006 B. Bell /Gemini BC & G. Dodd /Sigma Sport 1.49.17
2007 D. Fleeman / Blue Sky Cycles RT 1.43.02
2008 D. Lloyd / A.N. Post – Sean Kelly RT 1.46.44
2009 M. Smith / Team Milton Keynes 1.46.08
2010 G. Burton / Team De Ver 1.45.3
2011 G. Burton / Team De Ver 1.45.1
2012 J. Pullar/ Wheelbase.co.uk / MGD 1.42.9
2013 J. Pullar / Madison Genesis 1.46.1
2014 J. Pullar / Starley Primal Pro Cycling 1.49.3
2015 J. Lowden / Neon Velo 1.51.5
2016 J. Lowden / Neon Velo 1.44.6
2017 M. Morris / NFTO Race Club 1.44.9
2018 C. Crabtree / Orwell Velo 1.49.3
2019 Callum Brown/B38Cycles In Motion 01:49.6
2020 Event Cancelled (Covid Restrictions )
2021 Harvey Weinberger/A.S.Test Team 1.45.5

TEAM WINNERS
1956 34 Nomads
1957 Bec C.C
1958 Bromley R.C
1959 De Laune C.C
1960 Norwood Paragon C.C
1961 Charlotteville C.C
1962 De Laune C.C 6.17.4
1963 San Fairy Ann C.C
1964 Nomads Hitchin C.C 6.48.4
1965 Nomads Hitchin C.C
1966 34 Nomads & Bec C.C 6.55.4
1967 Nomads Hitchin C.C
1968 Nomads Hitchin C.C
1969 Nomads Hitchin C.C 6.53.0
1970 Nomads Hitchin C.C
1971 Nomads Hitchin C.C
1972 Luton Wheelers C.C
1973 Nomads Hitchin C.C 6.54.8
1974 Beacon Roads C.C 6.41.8
1975 Beacon Roads C.C 7.05.8
1976 Southborough & District C.C
1977 Bec C.C
1978 Northampton Vindec 6.49.6
1979 San Fairy Ann C.C 6.51.8
1980 Addiscombe C.C
1981 San Fairy Ann C.C 7.11.2
1982 South Eastern R.C 6.26.9
1983 De Laune C.C 6.25.5
1984 San Fairy Ann C.C 6.27.4
1985 Thanet R.C 6.17.4
1986 34 Nomads C.C 6.38.4
1987 Event cancelled (Great Storm)
1988 V.C Elan 7.00.4
1989 Kingston Phoenix R.C 6.30.6
1990 Kingston Phoenix R.C 6.26.1
1991 Kingston Phoenix R.C 6.18.1
1992 Kingston Phoenix R.C 6.03.4
1993 Kingston Phoenix R.C 6.11.3
1994 Kingston Phoenix R.C 6.26.4
1995 Kingston Phoenix R.C 6.15.19
1996 Paddington R.C 6.30.6
1997 Bec C.C 7.16.7
1998 Bec C.C 8.06.2
1999 De Laune C.C 6.15.8
2000 De Laune C.C 6.40.5
2001 De Laune C.C 6.14.1
2002 De Laune C.C (2 Man Team) 4.28.62
2003 De Laune C.C (2 Man Team) 4.19.99
2004 Gemini B.C 6.10.6
2005 Evans Cycles R.T (2 Man Team) 4.53.22
2006 Evans Cycles R.T 6.06.8
2007 Blue Sky Cycles R.T 5.41.63
2008 Alpha R.C – Corley Cycles 5.50.50
2009 Arctic Premier R.T 6.14.18
2010 Team Corley Cycles 5.40.1
2011 Team Corley Cervelo / Alpha R.C 5.41.9
2012 Kingston Wheelers 6.32.0
2013 In Gear Quickvit Trainsharp RT 6.24.4
2014 Bigfoot CC 6.12.4
2015 Norwood Paragon CC 6.26.8
2016 Rapha Cycling Club 6.17.1
2017 Imperial College CC 6.04.2
2018 Rapha Cycling Club 6.09.8
2019 B38/Cycles In Motion 6.04.2
2020 Event Cancelled. Covid Restrictions for Rd Licence
2021 Team Lifting Gear Products/Cycles in Motion 5.07.9