Most southern cyclists have heard of Hell of the Ashdown, but there's another long-running event in London's nether regions that's more than worth a look.
The Puncheur has been running for over a decade now, quietly plotting to test the early season legs of in-the-know cyclists on a scenic, rolling course through the hills of Sussex.
This year's edition takes place on Sunday 24 March. Event HQ is in Ditchling, just over the Downs from Brighton, and the ride used to finish with a cramp-inducing ascent of Ditchling Beacon.
The Beacon has mercifully been axed from the route in recent editions (some palaver with the National Trust), but organiser Morgan Lewis has found a few extra hills up his sleeve to compensate: among them, the 20% gradients of Cob Hill.
There are some cracking descents too, of course, and having ridden the original course a few times I can confirm it's a first-class route.
The distance - there's only one - is 100km (62 miles) with 1300m of climbing. Back at the finish, there's a hot bowl of pasta and an open bar to celebrate.
Only 500 places are released each year, and there are still a handful left for 2024.
Priced £33 including your lunch and a feed stop half way, don't miss it - the Puncheur is a belter.
Enter online at puncheur.co.uk.
Read our report of a Puncheur from long, long ago:
> Hills and chills on the South Downs: Puncheur 2014 sportive report >
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