Ramsbottom Rake 2023 event hailed 'one of the best'

The annual Ramsbottom Rake Hill Climb took place this week and was described as 'one of the best' by the organiser as he prepares to step down from the role.

This year 92 cyclists took part in this year’s event on Sunday, October 15.

The Rake is almost 1km hill between Ramsbottom and Holcombe village, it has an average gradient of around 10% making it one of the most iconic climbs in Lancashire, if not further afield.

The Ramsbottom Rake Hill Climb saw 92 riders take part (Image: Phil Taylor)

The event is organised by the Lancashire Road Club and cyclists from around the region take on the challenge.

Andy Nichols, who rides for Sheffield-based Team Lifting Gear Products, won with a time of two minutes and 24.5 seconds.

Frances Owen, who cycles with Wahoo Le Col was the fastest women with a time of three minutes and 14 seconds.

Duncan Smith, of the Lancashire Road Club, has organised Ramsbottom Rake Hill Climb for the last eight years and said he had seen the event go from strength to strength.

He said: “This year’s event went really well. I’ve been organising it for eight years now and [back then] there were probably around 40-45 riders taking part.

"This year we had 92 riders taking part.

Ramsbottom Rake is around 1km and one of the toughest hill climbs in Lancashire (Image: Phil Taylor)

“Over years we’ve grown it, it’s been one of the best we’ve had.”

Duncan thanked Bury Clarion Cyclist Club for its help in proving five much-needed marshals for the event, which needs 15 people to act as stewards.

Despite his success in organising the event over the years, Duncan has announced he will be stepping down. From next year, the event will be organised by fellow Road Club member, Ben Huddart.

Organiser Duncan Smith will step down ahead of next year's event (Image: Phil Taylor)

Duncan said the last eight years have been ‘rewarding yet challenging.’

He said: “I’ve really enjoyed it, it is very rewarding but there is such a lot of work that you have to do in the background.

“I’m happy that I’m leaving it better than when I took it on, and I’m going to help [Ben] as best as I can.”

Earlier this year, the Rake, which is considered to be one of the toughest hill climbs in the country was included in the Tour of Britain.

Fastest man Andy Nichols and fastest woman Frances Owen (Image: Phil Taylor)

It was the first time the Rake had been visited by the Tour since 2019. 

Duncan says he would love to see the event continue to grow and attract more riders.

He said: “I’d like to see 100 riders each time, we came close this year and with other climbs reporting numbers down we were really pleased to get as many riders as we did.

“It’s great for the town, it’s great for the economy, it gets business in for the cafés and the pubs. We have people coming from all over the country for it.”