Bicycle lovers are being invited to shed any festive pounds they pile on by taking to the saddle on Boxing Day – to slog their way up an Erewash shopping street notorious for its steep hill.
The challenge to get from the bottom of Bath Street in Ilkeston to the town hall on the Market Place has become an annual spectacle – with hordes of cycling fans tackling the gradient which lasts for a third of a mile.
Erewash Borough Council will again be closing the route to traffic from 8:00am to 2:00pm on December 26th as Ilkeston Cycle Club stages the event.
People of all ages and abilities are welcome to take part just for fun. At the same time the cycling extravaganza – which draws cheering crowds – is a race to the top that ends with podium presentations of trophies and prizes.
The entry fee for what is billed as the “infamous” Boxing Day Hill Climb is £6 for adults and £4 for under-16s. That gets you an official registration number. Places need to be booked by midnight on Saturday 21st December.
More information is on the club’s website here.
Proceeds from the event will go to the local Ben’s Den charity, which provides holidays for children battling cancer.
A cycling club spokesman said of the challenge: “It’s a great way to refresh the mind and body from the Christmas festivities. All ages, backgrounds and abilities will be made to feel very welcome. Any type of bike is permitted with exception of motor assisted.”
Councillor Josy Hare, who is Lead Member for Health and Wellbeing at Erewash Borough Council, said: “The Boxing Day Hill Climb has become a great festive tradition and is the perfect way to shake off the effects of too much turkey and Christmas pud.”
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