CYCLISTS will have the chance to test themselves on one of Exmoor’s most iconic climbs this September, just weeks before some of Britain’s best riders descend on Porlock for the National Hill Climb Championships.

Minehead Cycling Club is inviting riders to take part in its Hill Climb Double Header on Sunday, 20 September, featuring two challenging climbs and the opportunity to race on the Porlock Toll Road ahead of the national championships on Sunday, 25 October.

The September event provides a rare opportunity for riders to experience the course in competitive conditions before Porlock becomes the focus of the British hill climbing scene the following month.

For some, it will be serious preparation for October. For others, it is simply the chance to set a time, tackle an iconic Exmoor climb and see how they measure up before the country's leading hill climbers arrive.

The Double Header forms part of a major autumn of cycling for Porlock and Exmoor, culminating in the National Hill Climb Championships on 25 October.

The National Championship will bring leading riders, spectators and cycling enthusiasts from across the country to Exmoor, with the Porlock Toll Road providing a spectacular setting for one of the most distinctive events in the British cycling calendar.

Minehead Cycling Club is working with partners and sponsors across the area to deliver the events and showcase Porlock and Exmoor to a national cycling audience.

Steve Crossman, MCC Chair,said: “The Double Header is a brilliant opportunity for riders to come and experience the Porlock Toll Road for themselves before the National Championships.

“Whether you're targeting the Nationals, looking for a new challenge or simply want to see what time you can put down on the climb, we'd love to see riders joining us in September.

“Then, five weeks later, everyone can come back and watch some of the very best hill climbers in the country take it on.”