Town gears up for Bank Road cycling challenge

http://www.matlockmercury.co.uk/news/local/town-gears-up-for-bank-road-cycling-challenge-1-6148729

Town gears up for Bank Road cycling challenge

Published 15/10/2013 13:54

Cycling fans will be gathering in Matlock to see brave red–faced Lycra–clad athletes powering up the town’s steepest road.


Matlock Cycling Club’s Bank Road Hill Climb will be taking place this Sunday, attracting cyclist from far and wide to tackle one of the toughest time trials in Derbyshire.

In support of this year’s challenge, The Smedley Street Business Group has been sporting cycling–themed window displays.

Julian Gould, co–owner of Zepnat Cycles, in Smedley Street, and member of Matlock Cycling Club, has been instrumental in rallying his fellow traders together.

“It’s free to watch and it’s a specialised discipline and people come from all over to do it,” he said.

Julian explained that spectators often stand at the Smedley Street junction of Bank Road, which is what inspired the businesses to do something to mark the occasion.

The business group will be donating a prize to the first competitor to reach the Smedley Street junction.

Businesses will be open and refreshments will be available at Designate @ the Gate and Armitts. Bella Figura and The Nail Hut will also be open for pre–race shopping.

The race starts at 2pm on Sunday and participants will be setting off at one minute intervals from near the Imperial Rooms car park, pedaling around 700 yards to Matlock Green Garage up an average gradient of 12 per cent.

The Bank Road Hill Climb will follow a similar time trial, also organised by Matlock Cycling Club, at Riber, which takes place at 10am on the same day.