These cyclists' pain face pictures perfectly capture how brutal hill climb races really are
You can't cycle up 20% gradients with a straight face


The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
Thank you for signing up to The Pick. You will receive a verification email shortly.
There was a problem. Please refresh the page and try again.
Riding up hills can be both an art form and a masochistic ritual. As the first autumn leaves fall, so commences the British hill climb season, bringing with it some of the most punishingly short races of the year.
On Sunday, over 200 riders tackled the iconic HMT Hospitals Monsal Hill Climb, one of the most prestigious races on the circuit.
Located in the Derbyshire Dales, the climb is 600m in length and pitched at an average gradient of 10%. If this doesn't sound challenging enough, some ramps have been measured at a leg-sapping 20%.
On such savage slopes, come some of the finest pain faces you'll see on the bike. Here are nine of the best, as captured by Cycling Weekly photographer Andy Jones.
Among those gurning for glory was the reigning British women's hill climb champion. Bitha Jones took back-to-back victories on Monsal Head, stopping the clock at 1-39.9 as she crossed the line.
Simon Warren, author of 100 Greatest Cycling Climbs, is no stranger to suffering on steep inclines. Warren took to the course in a nude skinsuit, raising awareness of the fight against male cancer.
On his hands and knees, Richard 'Rapid Rich' Stoodley stares into the abyss, gasping for air after his effort.
Luke Allen lets out an almighty wail as he kicks down on the pedals. Either the pain is unbearable, or he's just remembered he forgot to shave his legs. Every watt matters, after all.
These Sheffrec Cycling Club riders sure know how to pull faces. Here, Stuart Bolton sends a hateful stare at the tarmac in front of him.
They say that what you don't know can't hurt you. Perhaps this is why Harriet Hernando has her eyes closed as she faces the climb's most brutal slopes.
Dave Preece's brown leather bar tape brings a touch of class to his two minutes of torture.
"Wang it," reads the peak of Chris Kaye's cycling cap. His twisted facial expression suggests he's doing just that.
At just seven years old, Eric Perkins was the youngest rider to compete in the event. His pain face might be a bit stealthy, but he's got plenty of years left to perfect it.
Thank you for reading 20 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!

Tom joined Cycling Weekly as a news and features writer in the summer of 2022, having previously contributed as a freelancer. He is the host of The TT Podcast, which covers both the men's and women's pelotons and has featured a number of prominent British riders.
An enthusiastic cyclist himself, Tom likes it most when the road goes uphill and actively seeks out double-figure gradients on his rides.
He's also fluent in French and Spanish and holds a master's degree in International Journalism.
-
-
Tweets of the week: GC Kuss rumbles on as Shimano stars in The Simpsons
The best cycling social media content from the past seven days
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
90-year old ex-vicar breaks record for oldest Lands End to John O'Groats ride
Peter Langford took a month to complete the challenge, raising money for two homelessness charities along the way
By Adam Becket Published
-
Hill Climb Country: Taking on Derbyshire's seven National Hill Climb ascents
Derbyshire has hosted the National Hill-Climb Championships more than any other county. Simon Warren rides each of the seven hills used — in one day
By Simon Warren Published
-
Eight of the best British hill-climb events this year
Cycling Weekly takes a look at the best British hill-climb events on this year's calendar - great to take part, and even greater to watch!
By Nigel Wynn Published
-
Joscelin Lowden's 'borrowed' national hill-climb winning bike (gallery)
Joscelin Lowden borrowed the frame from her brother's bike to create a machine that took her to victory in the 2017 hill-climb national championships
By Nigel Wynn Published
-
Dan Evans's super-slimmed down Cannondale hill-climb bike
2014 British hill-climb champion Dan Evans shows off the Cannondale Super Six Evo bike that has propelled him to numerous victories already this season
By Nigel Wynn Published
-
Monsal Hill-Climb has record number of entries for 2017 event
Classic hill-climb in the Derbyshire Peak District has attracted a record entry list of 190 riders
By Nigel Wynn Published