The Cobble Wobble – a brutal 179-yard cobbled hill climb – is back after eleven-year hiatus Organiser Andrew Denham has announced that the “quirky and positively like-affirming” event will return to Frome in 2023 cycling
It may have only lasted for four years in its original guise, but the Cobble Wobble – a madcap 179-yard hill climb through the cobbled centre of Frome – became something of an institution for cyclists in the UK and beyond.
Alongside the cream of the bike handling crop – a practical necessity on those treacherous winter cobbles – hundreds of participants tried their hand at hill climbing, with some even opting to tackle the cobbled berg in fancy dress, or on a unicycle, or with an entire Christmas tree strapped to their back., when he described the Cobble Wobble – after getting his breath back – as a “brilliant advert for the inclusiveness of cycling”.
“The first event was run with a bit of tape, some radios, and a stopwatch, it was charming. But the following three events were so much bigger and fantastical that the lo-fi approach just wouldn’t work, as it was just far too popular. “So here we are, now in our 40s, organising a great big silly bicycle party on a cobbled hill. All ages are welcome, fancy dress is encouraged , and the best bit…. Everyone’s invited.
Andrew says that 210 UCI points will be up for grabs for the winner, “on par with a Tour de France stage”. We assume he’s joking…