Unique cycling World Championship returns to Eastbourne this weekend

The annual Beachy Head World Championship Penny Farthing Hill Climb, taking place this Sunday, August 9 between 10am and 12pm, is the only cycling event of its kind in the world.

It is now an official event, having been run ‘guerrilla’ style in its earlier years, and held as an open road time trial.

The course of 4.69km features an elevation gain of 150m as riders set out at one-minute intervals to tackle the climb to Beachy Head.

Starting just outside The Grand Hotel by the Western Lawns, the quickest riders take just less than 12 minutes to reach the finish line at Beachy Head car park. The first rider sets off at 10am, with competitors ranked so that the fastest rider sets off first.

More than 40 riders from across the UK, Europe & USA are expected to compete this year, with the final rider arriving at the top at about 11:15am.

A prize giving ceremony will then take place at the Cadence Beachy Head café, where the winner will receive the 'Block of Wood' trophy containing the names of past winners. Eastbourne Borough Council has granted a partial road closure in Upper Duke’s Drive for the event for the first time.

Spectators are encouraged to attend the free-to-watch event and cheer on the riders, with marshals on hand to maintain the safety of both the public and the riders.

The course record was set in 2024 by Charlie Burrel at 11 minutes 51 seconds, while last year’s winning time by Alexander Voisine from France was 11 minutes 58 seconds.

Eastbourne riders Tom Norris (57) & Leigh Wright (36) have only been riding for less than two months, but have both completed full training runs up the hill, while popular Youtuber 'Rastrolla' (Robert Torto) could compete again this year.

The amateur event is open to anyone with a traditional or modern penny farthing with a wheel diameter in excess of 46 inches.

Local penny farthing builders, Trott & Sons (Horam) supply around a quarter of the bikes ridden in the event.