20 Classic Sportive Rides in South East England

Overview map

Map key

Introduction

About sportives

The south east of England

Getting there and getting around

When to go

Accommodation

On the road

Safety

Emergencies

Equipment

Bike maintenance

The rules of the road

Maps

Navigation

Feed stations

Using this guide

The Routes

Route 1 Rattle and Hum: Brockenhurst (New Forest)

Route 2 Pony Express: Brockenhurst (New Forest)

Route 3 Kings of Meon: Portsdown Hill (Hampshire)

Route 4 Top and Tail: Queen Elizabeth Country Park (South Downs)

Route 5 Windoverstoke: Andover (Hampshire)

Route 6 The Gibbet: Hungerford (Berkshire)

Route 7 Dragon Slayer: Hungerford (Berkshire and Wiltshire)

Route 8 Isis: Reading (Berkshire and Oxfordshire)

Route 9 Devil’s Highway: Theale (Berkshire and Hampshire)

Route 10 The Hog’s Back: Fleet (Hampshire and Surrey)

Route 11 Mud, Sweat and Gears: Godalming (Surrey)

Route 12 Surrey Hills: Headley Heath (Surrey)

Route 13 Reservoir Cogs: Redhill (Surrey and Sussex)

Route 14 Park and Ride: Withdean (East Sussex)

Route 15 Weald-a-Beast: Sevenoaks (Kent)

Route 16 Battle Plan: Eastbourne (Sussex and Kent)

Route 17 Merry Wives: Marlow (Buckinghamshire and Berkshire)

Route 18 The Wycombe Wanderer: Marlow (Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire)

Route 19 Oxtail Loop: Kidlington (Oxfordshire)

Route 20 Ox and Bucks: Kidlington (Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire)

Appendix A Route summary table

Appendix B Bike shops and cycle repair outfits

Appendix C Useful contacts

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20 great training loops, from Bristol to Bodmin, Plymouth to Poole and all areas between.

These days the cycling calendar is chocka with a huge variety of 'sportive' challenges across the UK, usually offering route alternatives from 25 miles to 100+ miles. And, for most people, such events mean getting some miles into our legs beforehand, not only to maximise enjoyment on the big day, but to get used to being in the saddle for long periods.

This pocket sized guide - a companion to the South East volume - outlines 20 great training loops, from Bristol to Bodmin, Plymouth to Poole and all areas between. The routes are all graded from 1 to 5 with simple maps and navigation overview - but all can be downloaded for use with GPS. The vast majority of the routes use quiet country lanes so it's useful for touring cyclists as well.

London Cyclist magazine

This backpack-sized guidebook is ideal for those hunting new cycling routes in the South East of England. We're equipped with location, start/finish positions, distance covered, ascent, how long it will take to complete and a grading. The directions are straightforward and easy to follow, and each route comes with a map. The rides range between 37 to 73 miles in length and vary from flat routes for pacing training, to tough, hilly routes. The author has also provided 'feeding stations' so you know where to stop for lunch along the way.

Outdoor Enthusiast magazine, October 2015

Colin Dennis has produced two guides that will be of great interest to any cyclist who likes a challenge in great countryside. With many miles in his legs, he is admirably qualified to guide us on these routes; a cheery attitude shines through in the text and will appeal to those who have thought about taking on bigger challenges but have not yet got round to it, or would rather not but like the idea. The author offers advice to both experienced and newcomer alike.

Most of the routes are around the forty to sixty five mile mark or thereabouts. This makes it especially useful for anyone preparing for a new season of events or
looking to build up stamina for a “big one.” Equally they give the opportunity to test out one’s ability before joining the crowds up Box Hill or elsewhere. And, actually, these routes would make interesting day rides at a more leisurely pace; refreshment information is given and one can always double (or treble) the times suggested as suitable for the route.

Routes on Bodmin Moor, Exmoor, Dartmoor, the Cotswolds, New Forest, the Downs and Weald and Chilterns, amongst other southern hills, cannot be flat. Nor is that desirable from the point of view of the challenge rider. Mr. Dennis has sought out hilly sportives. Take a look at the route profiles. For the cyclists travelling at more of a touring pace, the hills make for good views, and grand airy cycling. Many of these routes would make good touring routes with a challenge, though none would be for the faint-hearted. Of course, there’s no need to rush, but, should you wish to do so, then the advice and guidance is here.

Route directions are brief and to the point and there is little in the way of notes on what there is to see along the
way. That is not the point of the book. Additional weight is unwanted, and one suspects that the speedster will
download the digital routes available. In that sense it will be a planning book, though it fits easily in a jersey
pocket and there is sufficient detail to help with refreshments and accommodation.

So, a book of do-it-yourself sportives or challenge tours, great for preparation, great for a good day out great for
encouraging cyclists who want to step up to the big, big challenges. I really enjoyed reading these routes and
following them in my memory and on the map. A really interesting addition to the library.

Seven Day Cyclist, September 2016