What the Media said about the HELL of the ASHDOWN Challenge

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Cycling Weekly Report on the 2009 HELL of the ASHDOWN Challenge Click here to read

Hell of the Ashdown - A happy day in hell.
Although the name change may have rattled a few bottle cages, The Hell of the Ashdown Challenge which rose from the ashes more than compensated for the loss of its predecessor.
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"'The Wall' as it's known, goes straight up into the heavens"
After some nagging, rolling hills and very picturesque narrow lanes we soon start thinking about the main challenge......
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HARDEST PART Keep something in the tank for Star Hill, or you'll never finish
NICEST PART Great views from the top of Ashdown Forest (cyclingweekly.co.uk)

Kidds Hill at the half-way point of the route is a true beauty of a climb, marked by distinctive changes in pitch and character rising through ancient woodland onto the top of Ashdown Forest . Wonderfully deceptive, the initial steep section presents itself to you, then reveals an easing mid-section before ramping it up again for the final crest. Upon completing Kidds Hill, you are rewarded with a fantastic view over the forest. (rapha.cc)

The 104k (65mile) event tackles the toughest terrain Kent has to offer. The route is relentless with numerous brutal climbs. Anyone gaining a certificate for completing this severe course within 5hours can pride themselves that they have combated the worst that the fiendish organiser can devise! (londoncyclesport.com)

The full 100km route itself is a gem and worthy of its title (there's a less hilly 61km route should you wish). Just like a North European Classic it begins fairly gently, heading south from Knockholt near Sevenoaks in Kent and down into Sussex, slowly building and intensifying as it swings east across the Ashdown Forest — Sean Yates's own country — before reaching a challenging crescendo with four big hills and countless lumps in the closing miles. The coup de grace is the long, steep ascent of Star Hill, which takes you back up onto the North Downs to finish and where, if you still have all your faculties, you can admire the impressive views of Kent. (cyclingweekly.co.uk)

The new RaphaCondorRecycling.co.uk team must rate the Hell of the Ashdown's tough new route, as they are using this winter sportive as training. It now includes a total of over 2,000 metres of climbing, justifying its fearsome reputation! (roadcyclinguk.com)

What followed was 107km of mostly spectacular countryside, car-less roads, blue skies and sunshine and climb after climb! (whitewebbs.com)

The Ashdown has a formidable reputation, this season officials cut it out of the Junior Tour of Sussex because of the "treacherous conditions in the Ashdown Forest area due to heavy rain it was decided it was too dangerous to risk sending the riders over the proposed course". (dailypeleton.com)

Organizers have thrown in a climb commonly know as 'The Wall', considered so hard that the Tour de France gave it a miss when the stage crossed Ashdown Forest in 1994 (bikeradar.com)