Have signed up to do this for the first time this year for Terrence Higgins Trust. I do 4 rides a week of c17.5 miles each and have started to add weekend longer rides. 30 miles two weekends ago and 40 miles this weekend.
I live very near the route at Walton on Thames so can get out and practice the sections in the Surrey Hills. The 40 miles this weekend started at Walton Bridge and headed out along the route to the A25 (there is a 4 miles climb up to the A25 which is not what you need as you approach Newlands) and then up the climb to Newlands Corner. The mid section of this climb is fairly steep (10%ish i think and i was in my lowest gear doing 6.5mph) and gets you breathing fast but its a fairly short amount of pain as long as you keep the legs spinning. My lowest gear (currently) is 36/25 and so am getting a 28 put on the back in the next few weeks to help me get up the 15% sections on Leith Hill so we missed that section out and headed to Dorking along the A25 east (that is a category 5 hill on it for those that think its flat - its not) before routing back through leather head to Cobham and home. 40 miles in 2hr 21 minutes which is just over 17mph pace (three of us riding) and 1550ft of climbing so quite happy with progress and also pleased that Newlands Corner is already under my belt this far out from the actual day. Leith concerns me - i went and drove up it a week ago and there are 5 separate sections that kick up to 10-15% and with 55 miles in my legs that is going to be challenging on the day. Once I get the 28 cassette on the back will add this into my training route giving me a 50 mile circuit including the two hardest sections. As we get nearer the day I can add in box hill but am not too concerned with that one.
I did the this event last year and back in March then, as I was down attending a meeting, I specifically did a recky on both Leith and Box Hill which is well worth doing so that you get a feel for both the gears and strategy which you are going to later adopt. By doing this I also found that the standard 53/38 chain-rings and 23-11 cassette on my competition bike was sufficient for this.
On the day, because of the initial fast pace, I found the lactic acid first kicking in at Newlands Corner where I found it difficult to stand on the peddles without my legs locking up with cramp! After that I needed to ease up and change my cycling style in order to keep my legs moving smoothly.
To summarise the notable hills on the course:
· Richmond Park, longish (slight) up-hill gradient type hill and nothing to worry about. My RL100 hill score of the day 2-3/10
· Newlands, Medium gradient and medium length hill, but it is a steady gradient. 6/10
· Leith Hill, moderate gradient for 2/3rds and then it starts to bite with a series of ramps and even when you think that you have got to the top, it ramps up again! 10/10 as this left me recovering my breath at the top. Carful off the top as the roads are dark, twisty and slippery, however when you turn the corner, there is a fast straight run where I maxed my speed at 45 mph!
· Box Hill, steady/moderate gradient with a super smooth road, however it has a false top and continues with a gentle climb after the National Trust Café. 7/10 only for its length.
· Immediately after Box Hill is another medium height / medium gradient hill. 6/10 for its surprise factor.
· Wimbledon Hill, I am sure that this is 0.5 miles and is another medium height / medium gradient hill. On tired legs 6-7/10 however the upside is the fast run down Putney Hill, through the High Street and on-to Putney Bridge.
It was by far the most crowded section of the ride.
