An unrelenting climb for 21-kilometres with over 3,000 feet of elevation. On a bicycle.

That's what 13 cyclists faced this past weekend in VeloNorth's Skagway Hill Climb.

The riders gathered at the Dyea Road turn-off, before heading straight uphill, completing the race in times ranging from 59 minutes to an hour and 40 minutes.

If the treacherous climb wasn't enough, the cyclists were greeted by warm temperatures and a light headwind.

Jonah Clarke was crowned the King of the Hill after being the first to the top in a time of 59:48.

He was well outside the record pace of 51:39, set by Troy Henry in 2009.

"I was hoping to be faster but considering the conditions, it went well,” he said.

"As well as riding uphill for 20-kilometres goes.”

On the women's side, Tamara Goeppell arrived at the finish line in a time of 1:01.

Goeppell holds the women's record, which she set last year in a time of 59 minutes and 11 seconds.

The race was also competed by 12-year-old Caleb MacPherson, who posted a time of 1:41 in the novice category.

The ride is an intimidating route, with legs burning within the first few minutes, there is no let-up until the finish.

"It's just an hour slog,” said Clark, who is preparing to compete in the B.C. Bike Race in July, a seven-day mountain bike stage race from Vancouver to Whistler.

"You're just below your limit within five minutes of starting and you never get a break for however long it takes you to finish.”

The hill features a consistent five per cent grade, with climbs as steep as 10 per cent in the middle section.

The hill becomes progressively daunting for nearly 5-km after the cyclists pass through the U.S. border, around the halfway point of the race.

Clark referred to that stretch of the race as demoralizing.

"After an hour you're pretty much at your limit, it definitely takes a toll,” he said.

"Kudos to anyone that rides up that hill, it's a tough climb.”

For Clark, a staple on the Whitehorse cycling circuit, it was his first time in event.

"It was a good mid-season test,” he said. "It's a good to have a big hard effort and hopefully get fitter as a result.”

Olivia Findlay returned to the challenge after competing in the race last year and posted an improvement of more than twenty minutes, reaching the finish in 1:41 in the Sport Women category.

Karl Blattmann placed second in the Expert Men division, trailing Clark by four minutes with a time of 1:03.

"He was pretty speedy,” Clark said. "I was impressed. I was impressed with the field, it's a tough race.”

As physically challenging as the route was, the cyclists also had to deal with the mental fatigue that accompanies riding straight uphill for over an hour.

"You have to stay focused,” said Clark.

With most time trials you really have to stay focused mentally to keep the pressure on. I was managing the ride by watch my heart rate and making sure I wasn't taking myself too high.”

Two days later, Clark said he still feels the burn in his legs.

"Your legs feel shattered afterward,” he said. "I still feel pretty tired today, so it must have been a good hard effort.”

VeloNorth will be hosting their next event this Saturday, the Jakes Corner Road Race, a 70-km event.

This time, the terrain will feature long and flat stretches of land.

Clark said the Skagway Hill Climb is an event that you appreciate in hindsight.

"It's not very much fun while you're doing it,” he said. "But afterwards, it's nice to be able say you've done it.”

2012 VeloNorth Skagway Hill Climb results:

Expert Men:

1 Jonah Clarke 59.48

2 Karl Blattmann 1:03

3 Sean McClaron 1:08

4 Martin Stopper 1:18:41

Expert Women:

1 Tamara Goeppel: 1:01

2 Trena Irving 1:31:18

Sport Women:

1 Olivia Findlay 1:41.27

Sport Men:

1 Spencer Morgan 1:10:33

2 Shea Hoffman 1:16:21

3 Dustin Kramey 1:20:46

4 Phil Hoffman 1:26:08

Novice Men:

1 Calden Hoefs 1:27:53

2 Caleb McPherson 1:41.53