03\ THE UPHILL ENDEAVOUR

Taking in part of the south of England’s vast Ashdown Forest, this punishing and undulating loop is anything but an easy weekend spin The Scaynes Hill Haul, West Sussex, chosen by Dan Gardner, rider at An Post Chain Reaction, the Irish team behind Matt Brammeier and Sam Bennett While it may not boast the largest total ascent in this list, it is the sheer volume of gruelling climbs over an unforgiving, short track that marks this route apart. If you’re not climbing or descending, you’ve taken a wrong turn. Grit your teeth and you’ll gain invaluable strength on flatter sections.

Starting on Scaynes Hill, you’ll be climbing flat out from two miles in as you head through the forest to Wych Cross, continuing on to Hartfield before looping back. At the 10-mile mark you’ll hit Kidd’s Hill, AKA ‘ The Wall’, climbing 120m at a 10% gradient over a mile. Try to do it in five minutes as you slog upwards. After this, there’s another two-mile climb, followed by a bumpy road to the finish.

As you’d expect from a route through a nature reserve, there’s plenty to distract you from the burning pain in your legs and lungs. Just watch out for deer – they don’t stop, look and listen when crossing the trails, as I’ve learned.

A solid core is essential for this route, as is the ability to drive power through the pedals. By standing up in the saddle, your back and abs will take on the load. If you prefer to sit and climb, build up your glutes beforehand. Whatever your approach, the key is to moderate your power output, instead of burning out and stranding yourself halfway up a hill. The Rest Stop – Try Mr T’s in Fletching (the “best kept village in Sussex”). It’s a bike-themed café with plenty of coffee and homemade cakes. Their caramel shortcake should fuel your last few miles.