Hell of the Ashdown Lite (70km)

Today I intended to get out early and watch some of the riders taking part in The Hell of the Ashdown. However I spent so much time faffing around fitting my computer that I didn't set off until gone 12. I would have probably faffed even longer but my wife said, "what happened to the days when you would just get on a bike and ride?". With that I gave up trying to pair my cadence sensor with my computer and got ready to go out.

I set off to try and pick up the course for the Ashdown and did indeed pass the start (and finish) but I only saw a couple of riders. I do hope that Rob S took part and will blog it. If my loop was a tiny part of what those cyclists took on then it's a very challenging ride indeed. I tried to follow the same course but looking at it now I soon deviated.

The furthest out I went was a place called Edenbridge and then I more or less retraced the route back. Instead of climbing Westerham Hill I headed out towards Croydon and looped back round to Biggin Hill and home.

If I'm honest I'd have to say I found the 70km pretty tough. I am suffering with a bit of man flu which didn't help but I got to dread seeing the word 'Hill' on the road signs. Here are just some examples:

• Berry's Hill
• Church Hill (x2)
• Hosey Hill
• Ricketts Hill
• Stock Hill

So I'm sure this is nothing compared with what we will face in the Etape or indeed in The Fred/Dales but for a chilly Sunday in Kent it was quite hard.