Lancashire Road Club Hill Climb 2014
Over the past few years this race has become my favourite to photograph. I first came to watch this race in 2012 when Jack Pullar raced here and took the National Championship.
I set out that October morning in 2012 not really knowing what to expect. It was a hill I knew about because it is a road so steep it has a handrail up one side. I had seen images on walls in local hospitals and libraries, but knew little of the race.
It turns out it's pretty famous. Riders like Chris Boardman, Malcolm Elliot, Graeme Obree, Chris Newton and Michael Hutchinson have ridden it and it has been a feature in the Tour of Britain. Jeff wright holds the record, which was set in 1993 and still stands, which is amazing considering technical advances in materials such as carbon fibre and advances in training and diet programmes.
The first time I photographed this race it was a National Championship, the crowds were huge and the atmosphere was electric. It was cold, wet and slippy, it was horrid, but it has been one of my most exhilarating experiences at a race side, and to this day remains my favourite race.
I have photographed bike racing all over Europe and I've been lucky enough to find my favourite race 15 miles from my home. It has become a sort of pilgrimage for me. I look forward to this race every year and love the fact that I can include it into my Sunday ride.
Hopefully we'll see another National Championship here soon.