Gemma Mollenhauer
Prepare to feel the burn with the Mt Keira Challenge and NSW Southern Region Hill Climbing Championships this September. Taking place in the picturesque Mt Keira, Wollongong, the uphill challenge will test the best of climbers with its 6% average gradient and 500m elevation gain.
The event is sure to attract mountain goats from across the nation, with the Mt Keira Challenge designed for novice and recreational riders and the NSW Southern Region Hill Climbing Champs for elite riders.
Prizes will be awarded for overall top 3, KOM, 1st age/gender, Club Team Award and championship medals per age category for NSW Southern Region members.
With local cycling apparel brand, STëLF Cycling sponsoring the event as well as creating a special event jersey to be also giving away to the KOM winners. 2016 Australian XCM Series leader, STëLF rider and event ambassador Samara Sheppard said that the climb is definitely achievable for all ages and fitness levels.
“The hill is approximately 7km long with an overall ascent of 500m…it features two steeper sections, which will be the toughest sections of the ride towards the summit- the first coming straight from the start, known as the Keira Kicker”, Sheppard said, “The second comes in the final 1km pinch which takes you towards the lookout of Mt Keira- for the Elite riders it’s the last chance to test your fellow competitors before sprint finish”.
To the Keira Challenge participates, Sheppard encourages lots of warming up and recon rides prior to the climb.
“If you’re local it’s worth training on the course, but if not be sure to incorporate some interval style training with good variations of efforts in and out of the saddle,” Sheppard said.
The Mt Keira Challenge and NSW Southern Region Hill Climb Champs will take place on the 25th of September and leave from Edmund Rice Collage School gates.
For more information on the event, including training plans to put you in peak performance, check out the STëLF Cycling and the Keira Challenge websites.
