Rouleur Cover Stories: issue 17.8 – Yes It Hurts by Russ Ellis

Rouleur Cover Stories: issue 17.8 – Yes It Hurts by Russ Ellis

A very British race: Russ shot the National Hill Climb championships in Northumberland for our latest member’s cover

Cover Stories cover story Racing rouleur magazine

“Basically, just a group of undernourished cyclists craving cake and a beer, riding bikes that have been on even more of a diet than they have.” 

I’ve photographed this very British event for the last two years. On both occasions, they were held close to my home in Yorkshire, so it was always a no-brainer to go along and capture the pain and suffering. You can almost guarantee to get great pictures of people flat out in a hedgerow gasping for breath, or walking wobbly-legged over to check their times… 

This year I had to travel a little further up north to the very cold Hedley on the Hill course in Newcastle.

I parked my car on the road at the bottom of the hill having found the start by following the yellow and black arrows that had been fixed to various lamp posts throughout the village, grabbed my cameras and set off walking up the one-mile climb.

Gallery: Drillium and sawn-off bars at the national hill-climb

I was on the very first section, no more than 250 metres from the start line, when I saw that someone had scrawled on the road in chalk the phrase – YES IT HURTS.

As a photographer, you are always on the lookout for something that will tell a story within a still image and this was perfect – three simple words that not only sum up this specific event brilliantly, but cycling in general. 

Russ Ellis 

Join Rouleur. Eight classic and collectable issues of the most beautiful cycling magazine in the world every year for as little as £8 per edition. Bringing together the very best cycling writers and photographers to convey the essence, passion and beauty of road racing. 

Member benefits

  • The only way to receive the full-size edition
  • Exclusive member-only cover
  • 10% discount off merchandise in the Rouleur shop
  • Delivered direct to your door
  • Never miss an issue 

The post Rouleur Cover Stories: issue 17.8 – Yes It Hurts by Russ Ellis appeared first on The world's finest cycling magazine.

Cover Stories cover story Racing rouleur magazine

READ MORE

Cecilie Uttrup Ludwig for MNSTRY

Cecilie Uttrup Ludwig: ‘I want to be back racing with my heart’

The Danish rider has signed a two-year contract with CANYON//SRAM zondacrypto, changing her training, fuelling and mindset in order to get back on top of the...

Leer más
Tadej Pogačar at the 2024 Il Lombardia

UAE Tour 2025 preview and contenders: Can anyone deny Pogačar?

A raft of top sprinters are lining up to vie for stage victories in the year's second WorldTour stage race

Leer más
Demi Vollering 2025

Is FDJ-Suez the team that can help Demi Vollering to Tour de France Femmes redemption?

There are big changes for the Dutch rider in 2025 - will they pay off? Or could leadership issues arise again? 

Leer más
Tadej Pogačar to Paris-Roubaix 2025 – Legendary or laughable?

Tadej Pogačar to Paris-Roubaix 2025 – Legendary or laughable?

The UAE Team Emirates-XRG rider has teased his participation on social media, but is it a legitimate possibility?

Leer más
James Knox at the British Road Championships

‘Credit should go to Lefevere for working the market’ - James Knox on Soudal–Quick-Step’s evolution from the cobbles to Tour de France contenders

Now in his sixth year with the Belgian squad, the British rider discusses what has changed following the arrival and performances of Remco Evenepoel

Leer más

READ RIDE REPEAT

JOIN ROULEUR TODAY

Get closer to the sport than ever before.

Enjoy a digital subscription to Rouleur for just £4 per month and get access to our award-winning magazines.

SUBSCRIBE