The final racing event of the season – the IVCA Hill Climb – takes place next Sunday, 1st October at Kilmacanogue, just past Bray in Co. Wicklow.

It’s the shortest road race of the year, at just under 3 Km, but one of the toughest.  Prizes will be awarded to the three fastest riders and to the first three on handicap time.  Handicaps are re-set every 2 years, so this ensures that riders in all ability groups have a chance to make the podium in this category.

The Hill Climb is a unique event which has been won by as little as a single second in the past.  Who will lift the trophy this year?

Sign-on (including for marshals) is from 10.20 am, with the first rider off at 11.00 (ish).

Car parking is available at Pluck’s Restaurant in Kilmacanogue, at the bottom of the Sugar Loaf.  Please note the car park will not be open until 10.15 am, so please do not arrive before that time as there is nowhere to park on the roadside.

Refreshments will be served afterwards in Pluck’s as we close the page on the 2017 racing season.

One week after wining the Sonny Cullen Memorial, Sean Bracken delivered two-in-a-row at the IVCA Road Race Championship on 27th August.

On a windy and overcast day, this Age-Standard race came down to a sprint between a small group of 8 riders.  The tireless Sean Lally put in a tremendous ride in the windy conditions, out on his own for 75Km, and only caught in the last 4Km.  Behind him, a group of the strongest riders from other age categories had formed and worked hard together, never missing a beat, to chase down the leader.

At the line, it was Bracken who took the sprint for gold, followed by Terry Ferris in the silver medal position and Hugh David taking bronze.