20 Classic Sportives: South East England

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Postscript summary

‘From chip-timed monumental feats of organization and logistics to small club-run affairs, cycle sportives create a buzz all of their own’: Colin Dennis offers riders of all abilities a chance to join in the exhaustion and exhilaration with 20 routes on mainly quiet country roads across the south east. There is a map for each route, plus hill grades, distances and timings, details of bike shops and cafes, and GPX files available to download.

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Experience some of the most challenging and scenic cycling terrain in southern England on 20 graded sportive routes through the south east, from the rolling Surrey and Chiltern Hills and the dramatic chalk escarpments of the North and South Downs to the wooded valleys of the High Weald, the wide open roads of the New Forest, and the Berkshire Downs above the Thames Valley. With miles of quiet, cycle-friendly roads and routes accessible from London and the major towns of the south east, this is one of the finest sportive training regions in the country.

Suitable for beginner and experienced cyclists alike, this comprehensive Cicerone guidebook describes 20 graded sportive routes across Buckinghamshire, Berkshire, Oxfordshire, Wiltshire, Hampshire, Kent, Surrey, and East Sussex, carefully chosen to help you prepare for a sportive event or simply ride as classics in their own right. Routes range from 60 to 117km (37-73 miles) with between 425 and 1420m (1395-4660ft) of climbing, from flat routes ideal for pacing and cadence training to tough, hilly routes where climbing is the name of the game.

Choose from 20 graded sportive routes across the south east, covering the New Forest, North and South Downs, High Weald, Surrey Hills, Chiltern Hills, and Berkshire Downs, with routes starting near Sevenoaks, Maidstone, Brighton, Reading, High Wycombe, Southampton, Dorking, Brockenhurst, Marlow, and Oxford.
Tackle routes as standalone rides or link selected routes together for longer challenges, with shortcuts and variants available throughout to tailor every ride to your fitness, goals, and available time.
Navigate with confidence using numbered route descriptions accompanied by clear 1:250,000 mapping and gradient profiles, with GPX files available to download for all 20 routes.
Plan every ride with practical information on timings, ascent figures, food stops, and access details, alongside comprehensive listings of bike shops and cycle repair facilities throughout the south east.
Prepare thoroughly for sportive cycling with useful tips on fitness, nutrition, equipment, and what to expect when covering longer distances by bike, giving you everything you need to get the most from your training.
Ride year-round with confidence, with all 20 routes rideable in any season with the right cold and wet weather clothing and lights, making this one of the most flexible and accessible sportive training guides available.

Take on the roads, downs, and wooded valleys of south east England with confidence using this trusted Cicerone guidebook. From the Surrey Hills and the High Weald to the New Forest and the Berkshire Downs, this is the essential companion for sportive training and riding in one of England's most cycle-friendly regions.

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