King of the Downs...anyone riding and just how hilly is it?

grrram
grrram Posts: 26
edited April 2009 in Sportives/audaxes/training rides
Hi,

I'm thinking of riding Evans Bicycles' King of the Downs as it looks like great fun, heading out into the Surrey hills and the Downs.

I've previously cycled London-Brighton and found Ditchling Beacon to be OK... but just how tough are these 4+ hills? Is it the number of hills (10 in total) or their steepness that earns the 4+ rating?

Comments

  • Mccaria
    Mccaria Posts: 869
    I am riding it as part of my Etape preparation and because it is very close to home and because I have masochistic tendencies.

    Having been up the hills (but not all in one ride before) they are typically short and sharp. For me it will be out of the saddle in the 34 little ring.

    If it gets truly bad I can always head off home after the climb of Titsey Hill.

    Rgds
  • bobtbuilder
    bobtbuilder Posts: 1,537
    I've previously cycled London-Brighton and found Ditchling Beacon to be OK

    The individual hills are not much worse than Ditchiling Beacon, but there are more of them on the Evans ride than the L-B ride.
  • DomPro
    DomPro Posts: 321
    This looks tortuous!
    Shazam !!
  • Jaeger
    Jaeger Posts: 439
    It was supposed to be a training ride for me in preparation for the Highclere MagnifiCat, but on second glance it actually looks equally tough. Guess it will be a good chance to test out how to pace such a long ride over some pretty big hills.
  • grrram
    grrram Posts: 26
    ...and the fact that the record for climbing York Hill has stood since 1983 makes me grimmace...what the heck, I'll do it. There's always the broomwagon to spur me onwards.
  • bobtbuilder
    bobtbuilder Posts: 1,537
    grrram- Are you doing the full or half distance?

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