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When a Race becomes a Ride.

I've not been racing much at all recently. In fact Mountain Mayhem in June was the last time. The horrific conditions didn't put me off racing again, just that life kept on getting in the way. I trot out the usual excuses - young family and too much work but deep inside it wasn't cutting the mustard.

So with the cyclocross season approaching I was eager to get my race face back on again. Herne Hill of the London X League was the chosen venue to renew my racing anger. Or at least a mild tantrum. Waking to see clear blue skies you'd think that this was signed, sealed and delivered but something was holding me back.

I love racing. I love cross racing even more. So I was puzzled as to why my enthusiasm was waning. I dragged my heals enough in faffing and bike fettling that it was going to be tight to make the one and a half hour drive north in time for the race. I think I did it intentionally. My rides at present rarely go over one hour in duration if I'm lucky and I'd had a plan for a Thee Peaks style cross ride around the Downs for sometime now. I ditched the 3 hrs I'd spend in the van getting through South London and instead converted it to much needed riding time.

There are two hilly cross rides I do, both of which contain three big climbs. I've wanted to link them together to see if I could get to the distance and height climbed in the legendary Three Peaks race.

So, heading uphill out of Brighton (this is one of the many other hills on route which I don't count as such) and onto the Downs near Kingston. Drop down some steep sketchy chalk. Hightail it along the road to the first climb. Bit of an easy one this to get the legs warmed up but nice and quiet. Plus it finishes with THE BEST SIGNPOST IN THE WORLD.

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Drop back down the climb, along the road until you see a vertical line drawn directly up the side of the Downs. Climb Two. And it gets super steep right where the cattle grid is. Nice.

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I did spot another potential two climbs to use in between these two as The Six Peaks is coming in at 1000ft and 3 miles under what the Three Peaks is. One to try out again soon.

After scaling what feels like the North Face of the Eiger, bomb along the tops and then backdown so fast and bumpy doubletrack, bunnyhopping the drainage ditches and praying that the damp chalk doesn't let go of the wheels.

Sharp turn at the bottom then back up and even steeper hill which has the added test of trying to find usable traction. Some routes are smooth but chalky. Not great when damp or wet. Others are full of stones and rocks. Lots of traction but fucking hard going. Still I reach the top. Just.

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The first batch of Six Peaks complete and the legs only marginally giving up it's then fast Download downhill all the way to Sussex Uni. Wiggle through the Uni and up and down some steps with a few kerb feebles thrown in, a la Ride Everything.

After the fun and games it's a long gradual off road climb through Stanmer Park (taking in the singletrack if you have the energy) up to Ditchling Beacon. Nail one of the souths finest road bike downhill tests - let the cars have a MASSIVE headstart as they'll need it. Bomb along the bottom of the downs until the wonderful Half Moon pub in Plumpton.

No time for a pint. You've got another vertical wall to climb complete with ridged cement which dates from World War II when they drove tanks up here before the cement had set. You'll be cursing them and the legs almost give way when you reach the gravel and corroded top section of the climb.

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Across the top once more taking in the breathtaking views of the Weald and then down Streat Bostal. Take note as you'll be coming straight back up here. One of my favourite climbs this one. A private road so traffic free, a glorious hairpin and a 25% finishing gradient. What more do you want?

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And just when you've had enough, it's back down some of the bumpiest singletrack to the bottom of Ditchling Beacon where the last Peak begins. It's a classic and well loved. But probably not by me this ride. I could almost hear the tutting of people in the cars behind the pace was so painful.

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Cresting the climb I pat myself on the back for having completed it but can't resist the trip back into Brighton, to not only get home, but to add one last climb in :-)

So with a few tweaks I reckon I can get this to a Three Peaks level of ride time and climbing and next time I'm wearing gloves.

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Posted by Morvélo