The Up the Kirk Hill Climb will take place on Saturday the 26th of September 2015 and will be a proper test of strength up one of Stirling’s most difficult climbs. The lower slopes of the climb lend themselves to whippets amongst us who will rip up the 20% + slopes and round it’s alpine style hairpin bends but the final few hundred meters will allow those carrying a bit more ‘muscle’ to put the power down and claw back some vital seconds as the gradient levels off.

We are holding  2 races on the day, a youth event starting at 9.30am and the senior event scheduled to kick off at 11am. An application for a road closure has been submitted to Stirling Council to allow the event to be run on a fully closed road. Making racing and spectating a much more safe and enjoyable for all. We would like to encourage you to bring along friends and family to line the climb and see the pain and suffering the riders will go through trying to set the fastest time up the climb. Cow Bells are welcomed, nae, recommended and the vocal the support the better. We would hope that the youth competitors and their families will also grab a hot drink and a bite to eat after their event is finished and provide extra support for the senior event.

We have support from local businesses, and bike shops. Stirling Cycle Repairs, who are very generously supporting the youth event, will have a tech stand and stall on the day. They will be selling consumables and carrying out free bike tweeks to make sure you have no excuses for not putting a good time in on the climb, but they have been told not to take anyone’s back brake off.

We will also have vendors on site providing food and hot drinks. Pre-race caffeine levels can be topped up with quality coffee from The Coffee Van. These will be set up in a small event village at the bottom of the climb where we plan to have live results updates as the riders cross the finish line. Changing and showering facilities are also available thanks to Stirling University at the Airthrey Pavilion a short walk/ride from the start area.

Thanks to some very generous support from local businesses we have a substantial prize fund for both events; the main senior event is sponsored by Falcon Food Service Equipment which has allowed us to offer a £150 first prize for the overall quickest time, with cash prizes down to 10th and a separate ladies prize fund. The youth race is being supported very generously by Stirling Cycle Repairs which has allowed us to have a separate prize fund for each youth category, making it worth racing for every second.

Preferred entry method is via the BC Online Entry System or postal entries will also be accepted. So get it in your diary and get training.

Follow us on twitter @upthekirk for updates and info, and keep an eye on the Stirling Bike Club website and twitter feed @stirlingbc.