Kidderminster Killer: the toughest 200k event in the Midland
Philip Whiteman
Posts: 470
Legendary in audax circles, the Kidderminster Killer is certainly the most challenging 200km ride in the Midlands and a true toughie by UK standards. It certainly rivals David Pountney's other well known audax, the 300km 'Elenith'. If you can manage to complete the Killer then you should be able to ride any other 200km ride in the UK.
I entered this event two years ago and boy was it a memorable day out. Within the first five miles we hit the first of several 1 in 4 climbs along this roller coaster of a route. It would take too long to list every single climb between Stourport and Clun, and back but here is a taster. There are at least 6 long climbs of continous ascent including the relentless 1.5km long 20% haul up Asterton Bank onto the Long Mynd (one of two climbs over this hill). In between each of the 6 long climbs, riders are subjected too nasty kicks, often hidden around the next bend and without any chance of a good run up. In fact I can only think of three relatively flat sections overall.
All the way round, riders are treated to fantastic views, reaching the far away Snowdonia or Brecons from the Stiperstones. The hills along this route are also spectacular in their own right.
Being an rider who rides sportive style, I normally complete a 200km audax event at around 7-8 hours depending upon the topography. On the Kidderminster Killer, do not expect anything less than 10!
Incidentally, I am not writing on behalf of the organiser, just as a fan of this superb event. Hope to see you there.
http://www.aukweb.net/cal/calsolo.php?Ride=09-390
http://www.aukweb.net
and the route:
http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/Ki ... iller-2007
I entered this event two years ago and boy was it a memorable day out. Within the first five miles we hit the first of several 1 in 4 climbs along this roller coaster of a route. It would take too long to list every single climb between Stourport and Clun, and back but here is a taster. There are at least 6 long climbs of continous ascent including the relentless 1.5km long 20% haul up Asterton Bank onto the Long Mynd (one of two climbs over this hill). In between each of the 6 long climbs, riders are subjected too nasty kicks, often hidden around the next bend and without any chance of a good run up. In fact I can only think of three relatively flat sections overall.
All the way round, riders are treated to fantastic views, reaching the far away Snowdonia or Brecons from the Stiperstones. The hills along this route are also spectacular in their own right.
Being an rider who rides sportive style, I normally complete a 200km audax event at around 7-8 hours depending upon the topography. On the Kidderminster Killer, do not expect anything less than 10!
Incidentally, I am not writing on behalf of the organiser, just as a fan of this superb event. Hope to see you there.
http://www.aukweb.net/cal/calsolo.php?Ride=09-390
http://www.aukweb.net
and the route:
http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/Ki ... iller-2007
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