Kent/E. Sussex - "An Hell of Ashdown" - 66 miles - Sat 8th December

[ianrauk]

Right can someone flag up/drag in an admin and get them to change the title on the thread to reflect the revised date.

Done

 

[velovoice]

I really must stop following this thread.
You've changed the date to a Saturday, moved the start to an easily accessible location... now, any mention of flattening a few hills and I'll have to throw in an AYE myself.

 

[GrumpyGregry]

Right. I've rummaged around in the depths of the interweb and found a route last done in 2009.

We can rendezvous at Gatwick Airport and, passing along part of the FNRttC route to the Edifice, make our way to Dormansland, near Lingfield, where we shall join the route of An Hell of Ashdown Forest. Or get lost within minutes of starting; which is what happened last time in my pre GPS days. We will then head towards Hartfield, cheerfully ascend "The Wall" at Kidds Hill, descend Black Down Hill towards Groombridge, where the "Col De Groombridge" awaits, impassive in its magnificence. Fordcombe and Chiddingstone Hoath will follow, and oaths will be no doubt be sworn ascending Bayley's Hill. Ide Hill village is a delightful spot, Sundridge is aptly named whilst Star Hill is simply a three stars short of a euphemism. Knock Holt Pound will be followed by Cudham Test Hill/Church Hill, and on into Cudham, Brasted from when we will trip the light fantastic on Toys Hill before Four Elms and the glory that was Hever Castle. Through Edenbridge, Den Cross and Marsh Green and thither Dormansland where we can retrace our steps back to Gatwick and home.

Some, of a northerly persuasion, may find Lingfield Station a more convivial spot to alight from, or catch a train. That can be accommodated too. A limited number of rail bail options are available

I'll chuck a link to a route card up in due course and will bikehike it to produce a GPS track route or whatever.

 

[ianrauk]

Cudham Test Hill/Church Hill

oooh.. that's a nice 25%er.. with a rabid dog at the bottom.
Very close to home too.

 

[musa]

yh im in (for now) some b*s will happen with work

 

[martint235]

Ooh looking forward to this. I'll probably ride down to Gatwick but will also look for a "head for home" point in the northern section, possibly Cudham, rather than ride down to Gatwick to ride back north again.
It sounds like Toys Hill is tackled North to South from the description above.

 

[ianrauk]

Ooh looking forward to this. I'll probably ride down to Gatwick but will also look for a "head for home" point in the northern section, possibly Cudham, rather than ride down to Gatwick to ride back north again.
It sounds like Toys Hill is tackled North to South from the description above.

My plan also

 

[rb58]

^^ This.

Toys Hill north to south means an easy climb and a dreadful road surface for the descent to Four Elms. I went up the south face a few weeks back and it's really bad, both in terms of potholes and debris. Care will be needed.

 

[GrumpyGregry]

^^ This.

Toys Hill north to south means an easy climb and a dreadful road surface for the descent to Four Elms. I went up the south face a few weeks back and it's really bad, both in terms of potholes and debris. Care will be needed.

This. With knobs on. The first time I rode down that stretch I was astounded by the poor condition of the road.

 

[Dogtrousers]

I'll chuck a link to a route card up in due course and will bikehike it to produce a GPS track route or whatever.

Please do.

I won't be joining you as I doubt I could hack the pace. We did a similar but smaller route earlier in the year but more to the North, missing out the Ashdown bits (Saltbox / Cudham / Toys-from-the-North / Bailey's / Star) which is here if you want to see the profiles.

 

[AKA Bob]

Greg,

Can I say a tentative 'Aye'? I need to check out work and train times from the West before saying 'Aye' fully!

Titus

 

[GrumpyGregry]

Sunrise is around 7:40, sunset around 4:00. What time is KO?

08:00 roll from gatwick?

 

[GrumpyGregry]

That be fine with me. There is also a 06:34 from Reading, arrives Gatwick 07:50.

One would make allowances, on the day, for those training it in on First Great Western

 

[jifdave]

Ridden as a loop from Biggin Hill (clue is in the name methinks) the route profile looks like this....

is that 500 feet climb in about 5 miles in? i decline graciously

 

[GrumpyGregry]

Got a phone call from my Cousin Alice in Sheffield on Sunday.
She wants to swap the weekend she comes to see me from 8th December to 1st December.

Can folk do the 8th for this ride instead of the first?

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