This section contains some challenging rides in Surrey, Kent & Sussex. They either have a mixture of high cumulative elevation or some steep ramps – or both! These rides are for strong riders and care needs to be taken with hydration and nutrition.
A collect-the-set route through the Surrey Hills with nine significant climbs racking up nearly 1900m of climbing:
1. Chapel Lane
2. Ranmore
3. Box Hill
4. Boar Hill
5. Leith Hill
6. Holmbury Hill
7. Bar Hatch
8. Halfpenny Lane
9. Combe Lane
Starting point: The Coppernose, Hampton Court
Suggested nutrition & hydration stop: Heartwork Café Bar (61 km).
Not content to go up Leith Hill once? Try going up and down it eight times from different angles. This is a gruelling ride with little recovery between climbs and nearly 2500m of elevation.
Starting point: Coppernose Café, Hampton Court.
Suggested nutrition & hydration stop: Heartwork Café Bar (43km, 101km)
The Kentish Kraken winds its way across two ridges of the Downs (crossing the southern ridge four times!). Climbs include Crockham Hill, Brasted Chart (the steadier but longer north side of Toys Hill), and Ide Hill.
Starting point: Gails Bakery, Clapham Old Town,.
Suggested Nutrition & Hydration Stop: Ide Hill Community Shop (85 km).
The Kent Ramp Hunter is a relatively short but VERY challenging ride that takes on some of the steepest climbs in the area.
The long climb up Downe Road turns nasty at the end (hitting 20%) and sets the tone for the rest of the ride with Toys Hill, Hogtrough Hill, White Lane, and Hesier’s Hill lying in wait. Expect to hit your max heart rate.
Starting point: Gails Bakery, Clapham Old Town.
Suggested café stop: Velobarn, Pilgrim’s Way (59km).
The Ashdown Forest Loop is a long day in the saddle racking up well over 2000 metres of climbing. It is based on the Hell of the Ashdown sportive but with legs to and from London.
It’s a highly varied route with some deep forest riding through Ashdown Forest and Five Hundred Acre Wood in East Sussex, but also some high ridges.
Starting point: Gail’s Café, Clapham Old Town.
Suggested nutrition & hydration stops: The Hybrid Tea Room, Coolings Garden Centre, Wych Cross (76 km), Ide Hill Community Shop (113 km).