CYCLING
                                           THE ALTERNATIVE 7 HILLS

MORE than 150  mountain bikers were blessed with near perfect riding conditions when they took on the challenge of the Alternative 7 Hills on Sunday.

The bi-annual event, hosted by GP Sport and Wight Mountain, was arguably the toughest route since the event's rebirth five years ago.

Riders left Sandown Airport and rode up some of the steepest climbs on the Island —taking in Wroxall, Stenbury and St Catherine’s Downs before the midway stage. 

The riders then headed westwards to complete their 28 mile route, over the Tennyson trail to Freshwater Bay Golf Club before dropping down to the finish line at Tapnell Farm, near Yarmouth.

Notable achievements during the event — a huge test of ability and endurance — included those of Apse Heath rider, Leon Day, who completed the distance on his e-bike in 2hrs 2mins, closely followed by James Hynes (2.08) and Nigel Leppard (2.21).

Wightlink Wight Mountain rider Adam Holleyman (2.14) was one the first two back on standard bikes, followed by Team Naut rider James Spencer (2.23) and Wight Mountain’s Ben Johnson (2.24).

GP Sport organiser, Gareth Shilton, said: "We had feared the event would be billed as the wet and muddy one, but after a few days of sun, the trails had started to dry out and on the whole it was mud free.

"It was good to see such a diverse group of riders take on the challenge. The world of e-bikes has opened up events such as ours to a whole new group of riders that would have not been able to complete it before.

"This event always brings together the Island's mountain bike community and, this once young, male-dominated sport is slowly opening up. 

"More female riders, as well as many over the ages of 50 and 60, are now taking on these epic challenges and this is reflected in some of the outstanding personal achievements.

Isle of Wight County Press:

Isle of Wight County Press:

Isle of Wight County Press:

"Nadia Lele outshone many of her male counterparts, finishing in a time of 3.18 and Les Cattell managed a time of 2.38mins on his e-bike, at the age of 67.

"It was good to see such a diverse group of riders take on the challenge. The world of e-bikes has opened up events such as ours to a whole new group of riders that would have not been able to complete it before."

The standard 7 Hills Challenge will be returning in October, with details available on the website: www.gpsport.org