The Mount Gambier Cycling club completed its second annual Crank the Crater Hill Climb in challenging conditions at the Valley Lakes on Sunday.

Cyclists enjoyed closed roads on the picturesque course thanks to the Mount Gambier City Council.

Inclement weather added another challenge to the 1.9km individual time trial and with inclement weather constantly looming, 22 hardy souls took to the start line.

A variety of riders took on the climb with 77 meters elevation, which began at the Valley Lakes car park and finished at the Lions car park near the Centenary Tower.

Some junior riders put together some good times and a couple of BMX riders worked hard to get to the top, while Limestone Coast Cycling Academy members were also able to take on the climb after participating in the NJTS at the velodrome earlier in the weekend.

The fastest rider was Matthew Opperman who stopped the clock in a time of 4 minutes, 45 seconds.

Second fastest was Riley Hill (5:11) while Gerard Coote rounded out the podium just three seconds behind.

Dean Zeven, Colin Weatherill, Matt Fiegert, Thomas Miles and Brady Dethmore all managed the climb in less than six minutes, while the fastest female rider was Sarah Dally with a time of six minutes, 15 seconds.

Other notable rides came from Scott Bradley (7:24) and Caiden Garrett (7:29) who pushed hard on a BMX, while John Cranwell (6:02), Harry Opperman (6:08), Bruce McLaughlin (6:11), Mike Bakker (6:11), Elmer Buckland (6:19), Jamison Buckley (6:38), Damian Buckley (7:16), Mike Dethmore (7:23), Molly Opperman (7:33), Eddie Buckland (8:19) and Andrea Zeven (8:40) all gave it a good crack and completed the challenge.

The club already looks forward to the chance of crowning the King or Queen of the Crater next year.