Photos © Phil O’Connor www.sportivephoto.com
The King of the Downs 110 mile super sportive organised by Evans Cycles Ride It! went ahead last weekend and 1,000 riders tackled teh course that packs in 10 killer climbs and over 9,000ft of climbing.
The ride was always going to be a huge challenge for many who set off from the Gatwick start. And as if the distance and hills weren’t enough to contend with, mother nature made her mark on the event – dishing out a torrential downpour early in the day soaking the riders and separating the men from the boys.
The route was split into two loops. The first, a 53 mile Western Loop headed north west from the start at Evans Cycles Gatwick straight into the Surrey Hills before tackling the North Downs climbing 4,800ft. After Box Hill riders were sent south again back towards Gatwick via the meandering country roads between the North and South Downs. What’s normally a picturesque and comfortable jaunt through Surrey’s road riding heartland turned into an epic battle with the elements.
The forecast was for heavy downpours during the morning, and for once the weathermen got it right. A relentless battering of rain soaked riders and combined with a fierce headwind to make the 53 mile Western loop a true challenge.
For those that battled on, the rain eased and blue sky and sunshine reined supreme for much of the afternoon. The wind remained strong, sapping strength at times, and providing a much needed boost for others.
Of the 750 riders undertaking the full sportive, only about 200 carried on to complete the Eastern Loop. This loop was another 60 miles heading south east into the Ashdown forest before tracking north to the North Downs – it’s here that riders tackled two of the toughest hill climbs on the route – Yorks and Titsey Hills.
Yorks Hill, the first of the hill climb double team can only be described as short, sharp and unforgiving. As if the sheer punishment of the climb wasn’t enough, the sadistic Ride It! team offered riders the option to be timed up the hill – riders who took advantage of this will be able to compare themselves to their comrades and to that of the Hill Climb record holder Phil Mason who conquered the hill in 1min 47secs.
Whilst not so much at stake for the second of the Hill Climb duo, Titsey Hill, riders were still taking this on with gusto, however being 90 odd miles into the ride at this point energy levels were starting to dwindle for some, and the descent down the North Downs and a relatively flat ride back to Gatwick was a welcome reprieve from the intense climbing throughout the day.
Photos available at www.sportivephoto.com
