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Bike lovers are being invited to shed any festive pounds they pile on by taking to the saddle on Boxing Day – to slog their way up an Erewash shopping street notorious for its steep hill.
The challenge to get from the bottom of Ilkeston’s Bath Street to the town hall on the Market Place has become an annual spectacle – with hordes of cycling fans tackling the gradient which lasts for a third of a mile.
Erewash Borough Council will again be closing the route to traffic from 8am to 2pm on December 26 as Ilkeston Cycle Club stages the event.
People of all ages and abilities are welcome to take part just for fun. At the same time the cycling extravaganza – which draws cheering crowds – is a race to the top that ends with podium presentations of trophies and prizes.
The entry fee for what is billed as the “infamous” Boxing Day Hill Climb is £6 for adults and £4 for under-16s. That gets you an official registration number. Places need to be booked by midnight on Saturday 21 December.
More information is on the club’s website at: GRAVITY 2024 - The INFAMOUS Boxing Day Hill Climb | Ilkeston Cycle Club
Proceeds from the event will go to the local Ben’s Den charity, which provides holidays for children battling cancer. A cycling club spokesman said of the challenge: “It’s a great way to refresh the mind and body from the Christmas festivities.
“All ages, backgrounds and abilities will be made to feel very welcome. Any type of bike is permitted with exception of motor assisted.”
Councillor Josy Hare, who is Erewash’s Lead Member for Health and Wellbeing, said:
“The Boxing Day Hill Climb has become a great festive tradition and is the perfect way to shake off the effects of too much turkey and Christmas pud.”
Ilkeston Town Hall, which is where the finish line is, will be closed over the festive period from 2pm on Christmas Eve – as will Long Eaton Town Hall.
Ilkeston reopens on Thursday 2 January. Long Eaton reopens on Friday 3 January. Both have reception areas that are open from 10am to noon for the public to raise queries in person with customer services teams.
Changes to bin days over the holidays can be found on the Christmas Collections page.
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