Handcycle Hill Climbs - Cool!

on 06-07-2006 22:21

With the addition of the hill climb at two WHF World Cup races this season, it looks like a discipline that is here to stay. The hill climb is a test of a different sort. Many handcycle races are flat and fast, the hill climb caters to a different breed. Thus, it’s no surprise that at the RMO last week in Colorado, the proverbial ducks to water cashed-in: Local Coloradans Matt Updike and Monica Bascio train on hills regularly, and it showed at the hill climb. Alejandro Albor is a climbing machine and obliterated everyone at the hill climb. The three Americans have typically done well at the Sadler’s Ultra Challenge in Alaska, which caters to climbers also.
In addition to the RMO, Andy Budge, promoter of the Wild West Tour in Australia, also added a hill climb to his event this year and it was “the most difficult race I’ve ever done” according to Matt Updike. In contrast to the 3.5 mile, 8% climb in Colorado, the climb down under was between 10 adn 20%, and some athletes barely made it up. “They didn’t even put the HCA guys on the course because it was so steep!” said Updike.

In any case, the addition of hill climbs is a welcome addition to handcycle racing — particularly to the American racers who are always ready to go toe-to-toe with the Europeans who are used to racing in fast, flat events. Let’s hope the hill climbs are here to stay!

CLICK HERE FOR RESULTS FROM THE RMO HILL CLIMB

Monica Bascio @ the RMO Hill Climb. Photo: Adaptive Adventures