The Surrey Hills Cyclone Sportive has a new home and improved route for 2013.
The ride takes in some of Surrey's finest villages, countryside and hills and offers a fantastic spring challenge to set the scene for your cycling year. Starting from the amazing Epsom Racecourse, this new venue will help cope with the demand for this sell out event. It has plenty of parking and outstanding facilities.
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The full-blown 85-mile Epic route delves deep into Surrey and will provide a robust challenge for any rider. The standard route is no less challenging at 61 miles and still includes all of the major climbs. The 28-mile Short route incorporates the best of the area in a compact package.
All routes are suitable for a wide range of riders. Although the hills are testing, any rider with a reasonable level of fitness and preparation will conquer them.
Epic route
The longest of the three routes includes some of the south of England's most iconic climbs. After a five-mile warm-up out to Cobham, the scenery opens up into lush countryside. The first major climb comes when the route hits Coombe Bottom.
Then it's down through the stunning village of Shere and up through Winterfold. The central section offers a 34-mile rest bite from climbing, as it hits the Low Weald between the North and South Downs on to Dunsfold.
Then it's north and on to the third major climb of the day, up Surrey's highest point, Leith Hill. That should warm up the riders for the big one - White Down. This 20 per cent ascent will test your climbing ability alongside the next quality climb up Headley Heath (Back of Box Hill). After you've caught your breath, it's the final climb up to the top of Epsom Down and the Finish.
Standard route
Including all of the climbs of the Epic route, the Standard route will be a popular choice among riders. After leaving the start at Epsom, the loop takes you south towards Cobham and then on to the North Downs and the first climb of the day at Coombe Bottom. From there, it's down through Cranleigh via the appropriately named Hurt Wood and onto the home of the Top Gear test track, Dunsfold.
It's here that the Standard route splits off from the Epic, with a loop back north and to the triple challenge of Leith Hill, White Down. This 20 per cent ascent will test your climbing ability alongside the next quality climb up Headley Heath (Back of Box Hill). After you've caught your breath, it's the final climb up to the top of Epsom Down and the Finish.
Short route
Despite missing out a considerable chunk of the longer routes, the Short loop still provides a challenge through Surrey's outstanding scenery. The Route also includes two quality climbs of Headley Heath (Back of Box Hill) and after you've caught your breath, it's the final climb up to the top of Epsom Down and the Finish.
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