SOUTH EAST SURREY HILLS

Based loosely on an arduous CTC hilly audax (a long-distance event within a set time limit) route, but with a few more climbs to spice things up, this compact course takes in the finest that the Surrey Hills have to offer. Leaving Ryka’s cafe at the base of Box Hill, the first obstacle is Ranmoor Common, which is followed, after the navigation of Dorking with the undulating and seriously tough rise up Coldharbour Lane.

Riding though the canyon-like, tree-topped banks, you reach the village of Coldharbour, then plummet down to the A29 and the approach to Leith Hill. One of the many climbs on this route made famous by Prudential RideLondon, Leith Hill hits you like a hammer, but there’s harder still to come. The long, undulating, but predominantly downhill middle section of the loop delivers you to Cranleigh and the base of Barhatch Lane, the toughest climb in south-east England. With a brace of 20-25 per cent sections and at close to 2.5km, this is a beast. Once topped, it’s time to head back through the twisting roads to Peaslake and Sutton Abridger, but be ready to face the infamous White Down. After that, the finale is a summit finish up Box Hill.