The new King of the Downs 110 mile sportive is the latest event from the Evans Cycles Ride It! series of organised rides and takes place on 17 May.

Taking in ten killer climbs around the North Downs, the Surrey Hills and Ashdown Forest, the event should offer a stern challenge for most riders. There’s also a slimmer 53 miles option for riders seeking a less daunting event.

The King of the Downs is organised by the same team behind the Evans Cycles Ride It! sportive series. “This is a monster of a ride,” says Event Manager Dean Stacey, “although we run sportives every other weekend all over the UK the South East is our heartland and this ride allows us to show off the epic riding the area has to offer.”

The route will be split into two loops. The first, the 53 mile Western Loop heads North West from the start at Evans Cycles Gatwick straight into the Surrey Hills before tackling the North Downs. Climbing 4,800ft this loop forms the half sportive distance and takes in the following climbs: Leith Hill, Pitch Hill, Combe Bottom, Ranmore Common West and Box Hill.

Riders undertaking the full sportive skirt back past the event centre dropping off the half sportive riders and continuing onto the 56 mile Eastern Loop. From here the route heads South East into the Ashdown forest before tracking North to the North Downs – it’s here that riders tackle two of the toughest hill climbs including the famous Catford CC climb where riders are given the chance to win a £1,900 road bike. The Eastern Loop climbs 4,200ft and takes in the following climbs: Tulleys Farm, Weir Wood, The Wall, Yorks Hill and Titsey hill – the two later climbs the sight of the Catford CC Hill Climb and Bec CC Hill Climb respectively.

The ride is fully supported with extra feed stations and mechanical support, a goody bag for all riders and free entry into a future Ride It! event.

Entry is limited to 1,000 riders. Find out more and enter now at www.evanscycles.com/rideit