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Well, I have somewhat foolishly entered into a Cycle Sportive on the 31st of January which on reflection and given the recent weather, doesn't seem such a great idea!  However, some winter training is one way of detoxing whilst losing a few pounds from Christmas, so it's not all bad.  The full 104km Hell of Ashdown is worthy of its title. 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 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.

The new RaphaCondorRecycling.co.uk team have been using the Hell of the Ashdown's tough new route for their winter training. It now includes a total of over 2,000 metres of climbing, justifying its fearsome reputation!  Hopefully the snow and Ice will not return on this particular weekend!