Andrew Denham to bring Cobble Wobble back to Somerset
Having unfortunately had to wind down frame building business The Bicycle Academy late last year, Andrew Denham has turned his attention to reviving a much-loved Frome event – The Cobble Wobble.
More than a decade on from the last outing, Denham has been working to bring the vent back with the help of sponsors and local councillors. As previously, demand is expected to be high (prior event registrations sold out in just an hour).
Event Organiser, Andrew Denham told CI.N: “The Cobble Wobble’ is so much more than a race. It’s a big silly party that just happens to be stretched out over 179 yards of cobbled hill. With bikes. And fancy dress. And the odd world champion athlete thrown into the mix. It’s quirky and positively life affirming.
“Having organised 4 events from 2009 to 2012 I took a break to start a new company called The Bicycle Academy. Over the 10 years that TBA was in business I had so many commitments that the event never quite happened. The first event was run with a bit of tape, some radios and a stopwatch, it was charming. But the following 3 events were so much bigger and fantastical that the low-fi approach just wouldn’t work, as it was just far too popular. Putting on such a thing in the centre of a town isn’t easy, and as far as I’m concerned there just wasn’t any point in considering it unless it could be done properly.
“Unfortunately TBA closed its doors in 2022, and while that’s hugely sad, it does mean I’m finally able to create the time to organise The Cobble Wobble, for 2023.
“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 (but not mandatory), and the best bit…. Everyone’s invited. We can’t wait!”
What’s new in 2023?
- There will be both a king and queen of the cobbles crowned
- Entry capacity will apparently be significantly larger
- 210 UCI points are up for grabs for the winner, the very same as a Tour de France stage win
- There will be an electric bike category
The Somerset event pitches riders against a 179 yard hill with an average 1:7 gradient. To make matters more strenuous for participants the surface from the base in Stony Street is cobbled and runs uphill, taking a sharp turn toward Catherine Hill. The race became so iconic in its four year existence that it inspired Cobble Hoppel in Germany, and being the inspiration for the Red Bull Hill
Chasers event, held in cities across the world.
The winner of each category along with the 20 fastest overall riders qualify for the prestigious evening spectacular to crown the ‘King & Queen of the Cobbles’, the overall winners of the event.
The event is scheduled to take place after the cycling world championships to give elite riders a chance to warm up at that event. The 2010 KOTC Chris Akrigg was a 6 time national champion, and the 2012 winner Michal Prokop was a reigning World Champion.
Fastest times:
2009 – Neil Cousins – 23.54 seconds
2010 – Chris Akrigg – 21.51 seconds
2011 – Lewis Lacey – 22.71 seconds
2012 – Michal Prokop – 22.96 seconds (wet)
