Event: 29 April 2012
Locatin: Dorking
Preview: Martin Barden, UK Cycling Events
With only 8 weeks until the Wiggle Ups and Downs Sportive takes place, UK Cycling Events’ Martin Barden gives us the lowdown on the North Downs/Surrey Hills event. Over to you Martin...
The North Downs and the Surrey Hills are classic cycling territory. I’m always on the lookout for an excuse to get up to Surrey and have a ride around this charming part of the country; it is always a fantastic experience.
On 29th April UK Cycling Events brings you the classic Wiggle Ups and Downs Sportive as part of the Wiggle Super Series. Now in its 3rd Year this event can be described as ‘challenging’, ‘demanding’, ‘testing’ and other such adjectives that quantifies in a written form that this ride just ain’t easy! But, despite that it is still wonderfully enjoyable and very well attended over 800 riders rode in 2011 and 1000 are expect this year.
Now, if you’re a hill hunter and like to check off your 100 greatest cycling climbs, this is a ride where you can bag two of the most [in]famous in the south-east – number 17. Leith Hill and number 18. (The take no prisoners) White Downs.
There’s no escaping those two hills on any of the course options – Epic (101 miles), Standard (70 miles) and Fun (39 miles). But, these hills come within the last 15 miles of the course, so you have the nice flat(ish) mid-section to think about your attack strategy.
Don’t let my repartee put you off – this ride is perfectly achievable for anyone with a reasonable level of fitness. The tricky opening section up and over the north downs will get the blood flowing and the ambling mid section through the scenic landscape of Surrey on quiet roads followed by the sting in the tail of Leith and White Downs will have you high fiving your achievements with your fellow riders and giving you a tale of bravery to tell to your partner, your kids or even your mum!
With the blossom still hanging in the trees and the rhododendrons just breaking into bloom on the southern aspect of Leith Hill, this will make the effort of getting there all the more rewarding and give you some enchanting memories.
Book early, places are filling up fast. If the lure of the route isn’t enough, you’ll receive an attractive goody bag on completion, generous feed stations and other added extras making the event exceptional value for money.
Find out more and enter: http://www.ukcyclingevents.co.uk/events/wiggle-ups-and-downs-mtb-2012/
