Hill climbing, I'm getting used to this...

For lung expansion try cycling up the hills using a canister type respirator. Don't go mental out of the gates build up slowly or you will pass out. Not as glamorous as training somewhere nice at altitude but it does get them working

I wish there were some hills near me, living in Cambridge is really boring for that. The only hill is about 8 miles away and is about half a mile at maybe 10%. When I was out on a ride yesterday I saw a group of about 10 riders who must have been going up and down it for training. Caught up with one but he may have gone up a few times already!!

Annoying thing is I'm built for it as I'm 62k and 5' 8" but would have to travel a long way to find an event I think.

As for the issue of weightloss, long and moderate is better than short and hard for this specific aim as intense exercise uses carbs quickly, which need replacing. Long and moderate rides will use the fat-burning system more. So mix in some long slowish rides with shorter harder interval sessions. If you're really serious you need to do some weights and improve your breathing (Power Breathe or something similar) as cycling by itself will only do so much.

I'm guessing that the official finish is at the junction with Sherrifmuir Road? Where's the official start? At the Kirk? I sometimes do this hill during my lunch break so would like to try timing myself on the course. I'll be happy if I beat 10 minutes.

Looks a good climb Sam, and I do agree about weight, or rather the lack of it will help of course. I am now under 70kg, losing two stone in six months just through eating differently. It does help ...

weight can't be everything, i heard somewhere that for every pound you gain, you only lose 3 seconds per kilometer, which makes a difference over a 10 km mountain but not really for a hill climb. its all about judjung your effort perfectly and completely destroying yourself.

i've got the catford cc hill climb up yorks hill on sunday, which wont be fun

I did the Up The Kirk climb too, a bit slower than you, 6:19, so well done breaking the 6 minute mark. I am impressed you ride up that every day too, where do you work at, not much up that road except the tavern !!
Hill climbs are a strange thing, god awful at the time and then a day later you start thinking about another one.
It was a well run event right enough.

the sufferfest videos make turbo time more useful, you'll feel pretty empty at the end of an hour of angels or local hero =)

Sam & cidermart, it's straightforward enough to lose weight, you just have to want it enough. It's like training when you can easily rustle up a dozen excuses why not to bother, you have to be motivated to take the better (harder) option. I've kept the weight off through the last few winters by riding plenty but also by not pigging out. As a result I enjoy the feeling of being stuffed/half-pissed less than ever.

For hill climbs your weight is only part of it; you need to practice those short, intense efforts. I found this out after the Wrexham RC's Horseshoe hill climb yesterday (gorgeous day, superb event in the North Wales countryside). Despite having a lighter bike and stronger legs than last year I was just 9 secs quicker

My feeling is that it was mainly because I didn't try hard enough or go deep enough, and that was because I haven't done the hard intervals this kind of event requires. I'll not make that mistake next time!

What do you want to do? Is life really about pies and beer or something far more rewarding and memorable? Do you want to vegetate or reach for the stars? worthwhile achievement is never going to be easy. For inspiration you could begin with Graeme Obree:

"My biggest fear is not crashing on a bike and losing some skin. It's sitting in a chair at 90 and saying, 'I wish I had done more'."

Thats a fair effort and would beat me hands down. Good luck with the weight loss, as we roll into the season of food and drink and crap weather;). 73Kg was several years ago to me and i'm lucky if I can get myself down into the double digits these days ha ha the clue is in the name