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The Isle of Wight Cycling Festival, organised by Wight Leisure on behalf of the Isle of Wight Council, is currently running on the eponymous south coast island. The climax of the event is on Sunday 6 October – The Seven/Fourteen Hills Killer, co-organised by Jeff Smith from local shop The Bike Shed.
There’s two events running, as the name might suggest. For novices and intermediate riders the Seven Hills Killer is an orienteering course of 26 miles, which starts at Freshwater Bay Car Park and runs over, yes you guessed it, seven hills. We’re told it “takes in some of the toughest, steepest and stunning terrain that the Isle of Wight has to offer”. We’ve ridden on the Isle of Wight a few times, and there’s no shortage of any of those things. The Seven Hills finishes at Ninham Farm, Shanklin.
If that’s not meaty enough for you, then there’s the Fourteen Hills Killer. It’s a substantial 52 miles. The observant will notice that that’s twice the number of hills and twice the distance, so it’s no surprise that the Fourteen Hills starts at Ninham Farm, goes to Freshwater Bay and then returns to Ninham Farm, thus covering the seven available hills in both directions.
The chap in the picture is Ben Johnson, winner of the 2001 Fourteen Hills Killer. He said “It’s a fantastic event and I’m looking forward to defending my title this year.” So now you know who the guy to beat is…
The best bit is the entry fee, just £5. The IoW’s pretty easy to get to from the mainland (don’t bother taking a car, go as a foot passenger on the ferries and bikes go free). For entry forms call 01983 823828 or visit www.sunseaandcycling.com.
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