Cyclist Jason White picked just about the worst day weather-wise in which to mount his attempt on a 20-year record.
In 1982 Colin Lander covered the Vicarage Hill, Benfleet, climb, organised by Southend Wheelers, in one minute seven seconds.
However, Jason White, boss of JD Cycles in Benfleet, cut one second off that -- even though riders had to remove a fallen tree from the road before the start.
The tree had been ripped down by the storm force winds that blew through south East Essex on Sunday and White, 29, admitted that the 16-strong field had feared the event may be postponed.
"As it turned out there were no problems," he said. "Once we got going it was pretty sheltered up the hill and I was delighted to break such a long-standing record."
Published Thursday October 31, 2002
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