Hell of the Ashdown 2023

It was a cold morning that greeted five brave, or should I say mad, souls from BBC as they prepared to venture down to Kent to take part in the very aptly named HELL of the Ashdown. For five of us the ride was a familiar one and we knew exactly what lay ahead but for one of us the event was to be a new, somewhat painful experience. Any hopes that that the ride would not be as cold as the forecast suggested were soon dispelled as on arrival at the venue car park we were greeted by a light snow flurry so it was on with the thermals and off to the start.

The car park is a short ride from the Brewery where the race was due to start and the Boxford crew were soon there where they were joined by a friend of Kelly who inexplicably had chosen to ride with us. There was just time for a quick caffeine shot before we all gathered at the start for the now familiar race instructions. The usual please take care, ride according to the conditions and keep an eye out for poor road surfaces (he wasn’t joking on that one) were duly delivered before we set off and the ride began.

It wasn’t long before we were into the first of a good number of challenging climbs, Toys Hill, a long drag that seems to go on for ever. If we were in any doubt about the severity of this ride this first climb dispelled them and we soon began to realise why it was so aptly named. The ride then developed into a tough series of long, steep climbs and fast descents that were often spoilt by very poor road surfaces which unfortunately made coming down, in many cases, worse than going up!

The ride was divided into three sections with very welcome and well-resourced food stops at the end of each section. With both savoury and sweet options available at each stop it was an excellent opportunity to have a short rest and refuel before setting off for the next stage.

The ride progressed smoothly without incident, and we all arrived at the final rest stop in fine fettle, if a little tired. Only around fifteen miles to go so a feeling of we’ve virtually cracked this came over the group as we set off for the final section and the joy that is completing one of the more challenging sportives so early in the season. What could possibly go wrong!

Those of us who had ridden the route in previous years knew there was to be a sting in tail but for our newbie, who was already beginning to tire, it would be the toughest section of the ride. About three miles from the finish is Brasted Hill, which tops out at around 17% and is probably the toughest challenge of all, especially as it comes so late in the ride. No names will be mentioned but only three of us completed the section without having to resort to getting off the bike and walking. Thankfully Brasted Hill is the last challenge which is followed by a very welcome gentle  downhill ride to the finish, a free can of the local brew and the obligatory team photo.

All in all I think we all agreed it was a fantastic event made better by the huge sense of achievement we all felt in  completing it. There is no doubt that a combination of tough climbs and coming so early in the season makes the Hell of the Ashdown a formidable event that really does live up to its name.