Rapha have released details for this year's Hell of the North sportive, their annual tribute to Paris-Roubaix on the roads and trails just north of London.
Now in its seventh year, the HOTN (as it's known by cognoscenti) is described by Rapha as "a barnstorming white-knuckle tour through 95km of Hertfordshire's meanest gravé sectors and country lanes". This year's event features a revised course, with 19 new off-road sectors to test your tyres (and bike-handling skills).
There are 300 spaces up for grabs, of which 200 are reserved for members of the Rapha Cycling Club. Club members will get an email with details on how to sign up, with remaining places allocated to the public via a ballot.
The ballot opens at 10am on Wednesday 16 March until midday Friday 18 March. Unlike previous editions which were free to enter, there is a £10 fee this year which includes an exclusive edition Rapha cap, along with frites and a Belgian beer at the end.
The ride starts at 9am at Pond Square, Highgate with small groups setting off in two-minute intervals. The finish is at a pub in Whetstone, the exact location to be divulged closer to the day.
Wondering what bike you'll need? In dry conditions the off-road and trail sections are generally navigable on a road bike, although you will definitely want to pack a couple of spare tubes. A lot of people turn up on 'cross bikes, which is probably the smart option if it has been raining at any point in the preceding week.
Bring some cash for the feed station halfway around the course - and look out for a few surprises along the route. Last year's feed station was at the banked outdoor track at Welwyn Garden City, with most riders grabbing the chance to indulge their Roubaix Velodrome fantasies with a quick victory lap...
For more details and to enter the ballot, visit rapha.cc. And for a taste of what to expect, read our report on riding last year's HOTN VI.
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