Hell of Ashdown

"Congratulations on organising a cracker of a sportive – great route, lots of helpful marshals at junctions and an enormous field of riders!" "Special thanks to the army of charming blokes acting as marshals – remarkable for their helpfulness, good road sense and untiring humour". "Wow what a ride. I must say that I thought that it was one of the best marshalled courses of any type I have ever done. Although my vision was blurred with lots of black dots – the scenery was pretty good too". "Did the HELL of the ASHDOWN today – well signposted and run event, in perfect weather. Claimed to be 2,000 metres of climbing over the 105K ride. 6 climbs and I was really creaking by the end and narrowly avoided ‘bonking’. I was crucified for the last 20K." "Perfect route, weather and organisation. Your marshals are the best I have ever experienced. A thoroughly enjoyable day out! Those hills!". "On paper, it's a grim day out. 65 miles with 2000 metres of climbing, much of it steep. From the saddle, it was actually OK. Helped by the friendly enthusiasm of the Catford volunteers; by unseasonably warm and sunny weather and the glory of the English countryside - the pain was almost bearable" "For me it was one of the longest and toughest rides I have done but also one of the best" "I have done a few sportives, some very big, very expensive and poorly organised ones. This was by far the best marked and marshalled. A brilliant course and brilliant ride" "I had a fantastic day out. The scenery was stunning. I had perhaps had one of my finest rides ever in the UK"