Welcome to the Catford Cycling Club CycloSportive homepage.
A CycloSportive? In Winter? And why not? We know that you keen Sportive riders are made of tough stuff and train throughout the winter. You are definitely not ‘couch potatoes. While others have their feet up slouched in front of a roaring fire (or roaring Tele!) you Guys and Gals are out in all weathers, which is just as well because in addition to the testing climbs and hairy descents of this event you’ll have the vagaries of the English climate to contend with.
It will certainly be a ‘CHALLENGE’ because in 2008 we at the Catford Cycling Club have designed a completely NEW challenging and testing route for the HELL of the ASHDOWN. In addition to a series of the most testing climbs that we’ve managed to find in the South we’ve thrown in climbs which were featured in the National Road Race Championship and Brighton to London. The ‘biggy’ takes you straight up the steepest gradient to the heights of the wild moorland of Ashdown Forest.
The ‘toughies’ follow this 100K (actually 64.7 miles) route but those that aren’t so confident of their staying power choose the 50K (29.8) miles ‘Devil’s deTour’ Challenge option which cuts out the most southerly climbs although it still tackles Toys Hill, Ide Hill and Star Hill.
It will certainly tax your strength and if you don’t come back exhausted then you’ve not tried. But, like a mini Tour de France! When you’ve recovered you’ll be just that much fitter. In fact if you get in a fast group it might even feel like the Tour, but without the crowds lining the ‘cols’ you’ll climb.
The lanes are so narrow we cannot have a massed start like the ‘Etape de Tour’, so you’ll set off in groups of 10-15 at 5mins intervals. There will be check points at which your route card will be stamped and at the finish you will get a special certificate with your time recorded.
To be sure of your place we advise you to enter in advance either online or by post. And if you do you’ll be invited to the exclusive Pre-‘Hell’ party to be held at ‘Bromleys’ in Bromley on the evening before.
Interested! Why not enter by clicking on the link below.
9am at Knockholt Village Hall, Kent on Sunday 27th January 2008
Provisional results: Fastest 50K and 100K. For all riders, click here.
Photos by Phil O'Connor are now available from his website (www.sportivephoto.com). Additional photos are also available courtesy of Steve Airey and Graham Stacey.
Watch a video of the event courtesy of Cyclosport.org by clicking here.
For further information, please contact organiser:
Bryan ‘Satan’ Stout, 59 Heron Hill, Upper Belvedere, Kent DA17 5HJ
Telephone: 01322 402051; Email: bryan.stout@ntlworld.com. or click here.
