This guidebook offers 20 sportive cycling routes in the best cycling areas of south east England. The training rides range between 60 and 117km (37 to 73 miles) in length, and offer a wide range of challenge, from flat routes for pacing training, to tough, hilly routes to climb. The 20 sportive routes are found in Buckinghamshire, Berkshire, Oxfordshire, Wiltshire, Hampshire, Kent, Surrey and East Sussex, a collection from near Oxford down to the south coast by Bournemouth and Portsmouth. From the Surrey and Chiltern Hills to the New Forest and South Downs, there are miles of cycle-friendly roads suitable for sportive training. All 20 routes are graded for difficulty and include timings, ascent, food-stops and access information, as well as annotated route maps and clear route descriptions. Sportive cycling is a growing sport, and this guide provides routes for experienced riders and those new to this sport. Useful information on bike maintenance and equipment, to travelling around the areas with your bike and advice on accommodation is also included. The result is a sportive guidebook that will prepare you for the challenges ahead, and allow you to explore the best cycling the south-east has to offer.

Introduction

About Sportives

The south east of England

Getting there and getting around

When to go

Accommodation

On the road

Safety

Emergencies

Equipment

Bike maintenance

The rules of the road

Maps

Navigation

Feed Stations

Using this guide

Route 1: Rattle and Hum, Brockenhurst (New Forest)

Route 2: Pony Express, Brockenhurst (New Forest)

Route 3: Kings of Meon, Portsdown (Hampshire)

Route 4: Top and Tail, QE Country Park (South Downs)

Route 5: Windoverstoke, Andover (Hampshire)

Route 6: The Gibbet, Hungerford (Berkshire)

Route 7: Dragon Slayer, Hungerford (Berks/Wilts)

Route 8: Isis, Reading (Berks/Oxon)

Route 9: Devil’s Highway, Theale (Berks/Hants)

Route 10: The Hogs Back, Fleet (Hants/Surrey)

Route 11: Mud, Sweat and Gears, Godalming (Surrey)

Route 12: Surrey Hills, Headley (Surrey)

Route 13: Reservoir Cogs, Redhill (Surrey/Sussex)

Route 14: Park and Ride, Brighton (East Sussex)

Route 15: Weald-a-Beast, Maidstone (Kent)

Route 16: Battle Plan, Eastbourne (Sussex/Kent)

Route 17: Merry Wives, Marlow (Bucks/Berks)

Route 18: Wycombe Wanderer, Marlow (Bucks/Oxon)

Route 19: Oxtail Loop, Kidlington (Oxon)

Route 20: Ox and Bucks, Kidlington (Oxon/Bucks)

Appendix A: Route summary table

Appendix B: Bike shops and cycle repair outfits

Appendix C: Useful contacts

Seasons

From early winter starts to lazy summer evening rides, all the routes in this guide book are perfect as part of your year-round training regime.

Centres

Sevenoaks, Maidstone, Brighton, Reading, Windsor, High Wycombe, Portsmouth, Southampton, Basingstoke, Newbury, Eastbourne, Fleet, Reigate, Dorking, Redhill, Brockenhurst, Marlow, Theale, Hungerford, Oxford.

Difficulty

Sportive cyclists of all levels of fitness and ability will benefit from a mix of flat, cadence training specific rides to unforgiving lung-bursting routes where climbing is the name of the game. Check out the hill grades to each ride and choose the route on which you want to train. Don't forget to mix-and-match your routes for variation of training.

Must See

20 cycle sportive training rides that cover the most challenging and scenic areas of the Southeast of England: The New Forest, North and South Downs, the High Weald, Surrey Hills, Chiltern Hills and the Berkshire Downs all have mile upon mile of cycle friendly roads on which to train for your favourite cycle sportive event.

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