Hell of the Ashdown 2011

Before I start rambling, if you've found your way here looking for the results they can be found on the official web-site. I've also put a spreadsheet here if you want to obsess about your time and position at each of the checkpoints.

This was my second time at this tough early season sportive. Following 2 years of treacherous conditions the organisers had decided to delay the event from late January to late February - a wise choice in my opinion. It was nice to be able to ride with confidence and be able to look around rather than worriedly at the icy roads like last year. The forecast sunny day didn't quite live up to expectations but at least only the wind was icy cold!

The popularity of this event is amazing - this year 1200 entries sold out in 20 hours! To get a place you have to be on the ball and therefore it seems that the entries tend to be from more experienced cyclists. As such there were many serious looking cyclists at the start, which was again well organised with pre-arranged starting time slots and a well oiled registration process.

After being dropped off by Em, it wasn't long before I was on my way and hitting the first 1 in 4 climb of Cudham Test Hill. I passed one poor guy whose chain had snapped and was gutted for him that his ride seemed to be over before it had begun. My hopes of finding a group to work with didn't come to fruition and I rode pretty much alone over the initial climbs. I was feeling good however and soon found myself at the first feed in Hartfield. I was about 20 minutes quicker than last year - mostly due to the better road conditions. I'd not brought much nutrition with me and so I was a bit disappointed to remember that only bananas were on offer at this feed station. I could have really done with stocking up on a few energy bars. Energy drink was on offer however so I filled a bottle, turned down a cup of tea and was on my way.

It is soon after the feed station that the toughest climb of the ride appears in the shape of "The Wall", this is a toughy but I know it quite well now and quite enjoy it. Em hadn't managed to get to our planned meeting spot at the top of the climb so I rode on and recovered on the long descent into Groombridge.

The climbs continued and the fatigue grew so I was again pleased to reach the second feed for a breather looking out from Ide Hill. This time I found an energy bar but unfortunately the energy drink had run out and only Robinson's juice was left. I knew there was no more than an hours riding left however so wasn't too concerned at bonking.

I remember feeling very fatigued on this final section last year. The fatigue was still there this year but not to the same degree. I was pleased to overtake much more than I was overtaken on the final big climb of Star Hill. It's tempting to think the work is done at this point but there are still plenty of lumps to navigate in the final 7 miles or so. They perhaps wouldn't seem like much early in the ride but hit the spot at this stage! It was a relief therefore to reach the finish line, particularly as the downpour had just begun. My official time was 4hr 29mins, which was 235th from the 750 finishers. Not too bad given the nature of the field.

The ride is testing and just like last year I felt a long way off from my main cycling goal of the season - La Marmotte. As the ride was a month later than last year and La Marmotte is nearly a month earlier than the Etape was, I've also less time to rectify the situation. Fingers crossed my existing base will see me through.

Thanks again to Catford Cycling Club for organising a good event and particularly to the marshals who were excellent all around the course. Apart from slightly better stocked feed stations my only criticism is that the certificate printing was delayed at the end, which I wasn't too concerned about other than it meant I couldn't get my official time until the next day. I would also have preferred for the free hot drinks to be on offer at the end of the ride rather than (or as well as) during it. I guess this is difficult however as the hosting sports center cafe need to take their cut.