Because downhills can be decided in seconds, uphills takes minutes, and being a good climber makes it possible to drop several riders behind.

In Great Britain there is an end of season tradition of cycling clubs promoting hillclimb time trials in October, for small cash prizes.

The hills tend to be relatively short, usually taking between three and five minutes to complete, and the races attract many spectators, including locals not otherwise interested in cycling, who come to watch the pain in the faces of the competitors.

[5] Competitors regularly strive to save grams on their equipment, going as far as to drill holes in their bike.

Baker Hill Climb, the Mount Washington Auto Road Bicycle Hillclimb, and Broadmoor Cycle to the Summit event on Pikes Peak (which has also been the site of USA Cycling's Hill Climbing National championships)