The Hell of the Ashdown

The Ups & Downs of HELL

It's what makes this a Challenge

Ups and Downs of the HELL The HELL of the ASHDOWN is a toughie. It is the Climbs and Descents that make this Sportive a true test of both stamina and bike handling. The route is hilly and even the many small climbs are strength-sapping, but it is these featured climbs which have given HELL such a fearsome reputation.

Major Climbs
  • Cudham Test Hill – New in 2009, this literally gives a short sharp shock in the first mile or so. Don’t worry if you have to walk the 1 in 4 stretch at the top because in any case we ask you to dismount to turn right at the T junction.
  • Toys Hill – You'll need to settle in for this 2 mile steady grind.
  • Hollow Lane (Dormansland) - Another 2 mile steady slog
  • 'The Wall' - This daunting climb was considered so hard that the Tour de France gave it a miss when the stage went over the Ashdown in 1994. On the Ordinance Survey map it’s steep enough to warrant a 'chevron' on two stretches. Although Kidds Hill is 1.5 miles long you will climb for a total of 2.5 miles to the summit of the Ashdown Forest at King's Standing.
  • 'Col de Groombridge' – We reckon this is more like a continental climb. Although Category 4 by TdeF standards its still a mile long Devil.
  • Bayley's Hill – New in 2009 it replaces Ide Hill. We are not surprised if you've never heard of it because it's wisely shunned by those in the know. The quite lane starts on the low levels of the Weald of Kent and arduously toils up for about 2.5 miles, easy at first but it gets steeper until it rears up to crest the North Down’s Greensand Ridge.
  • Star Hill – 'The sting in the tail'. This is the one everybody talks about as it is a vicious climb coming towards the end of a gruelling ride. .

Daring Descents
  • Hogtrough Hill – Introduced in 2009 this long descent is very steep at the beginning. Although you'll be tempted to let it run on the straight, look out for traffic emerging from the side turnings where the Pilgrims Way crosses and be prepared to brake.
  • Toys Hill – Very steep. Take care (scene of an accident last year)
  • Black Hill - A thrilling 5mile straight run down from Ashdown Forest to Groombridge. Descending what was a climb in the Tour de France
  • Sundridge – A bit hairy towards the bottom.