THE BURGESS HILL SPRINGTIME CLASSIC
30/03/2014 - Burgess Hill Sussex, UK - Sportive
Days to go until event: 12
Rating: 
Previous Years Rating: 87.5% based on 8 reviews
The first event in the SRS Events 2014 Cyclosportive Series
FREE CONTINENTAL RACE 24 INNER TUBE (rrp £5.99)
FOR EVERYBODY THAT TAKES PART IN THIS
GREAT CYCLOSORTIVE.
The Burgess Hill Springtime Classic Cyclosportive
Event Date 30th March 2014
The Three Rides of the Burgess Hill Springtime Classic are:-
The Burgess Hill Springtime Cyclosportive 71 miles with 3 feed stations
The Burgess Hill Spring Challenge Ride 53 miles with 2 feed stations
The Burgess Hill Tour Ride 35 miles with 1 feed station
This events has been running for 7 years and is always a popular cyclosportive to test early season fitness.
As usual the routes will be comprehensively marked with arrows with extra signes at strategic junctions. Three feeding Stations will be provided for The Springtime Classic Cyclosportive @71 miles and two feed stations on the Springtime Challenge route @ 54 miles . The Springtime Tour route @ 36 miles will have one feed station. Technical and First Aid Support will be provided en-route and a broom wagon will ensure that all riders return!.
Meet the Hills
The must do event for all cyclosportive riders, triathletes, road racers and other cyclists looking for a great group ride, the Springtime Classic Cyclosportive is a popular fun event to test your fitness on the bike.
In it's 7th year the 2014 event is growing year in year out
We all know that cyclosportive aren't races and that you can ride a cyclosportive like the Springtime Classic cyclosportive just for the pure pleasure of taking part in a large non competitive cycling event. If on the other hand it's all about the personal challenge for you and getting that coveted gold standard time for the ride, then an immense challenge is awaiting you and your early season fitness should be on top form, especially if you choose to do the Classic route at 71 miles.
There are some notable hills on the Springtime Classic Cyclosportive with the Classic route having all of the hills listed below.
Pillow Mounds Hill
This hill is the first big test which all routes ascend. Riders have to tackle a ford at the base of the hill, with the steepest part of the hill being at the beginning. With fresh legs most riders can get to the summit of this hill with a smile on their face. Fit cyclist will see Pillow Mounds Hill more as a warm up. Any sign of struggle up this hill will be a big warning, and you should consider taking the directions to one of the shorter routes while you have a chance.
Kidds Hill 
Before you get to kidds hill there are some beautiful roads on route through the Ashdown forest, you will descend for some time before reaching the base of this hill locally know as the "Wall" It's a really test of climbing ability.
If you don't like hills just knuckle down, embrace the pain, as not long after conquering "the Wall" you will be descending Black Hill another descent which goes on for a few miles and an excellent place to get back on to any bunch you were dropped from on Kidds Hill. Some say that you can get tunnel vision when climbing hills as tough as Kidds Hill and with the over hanging trees of on this Hill many riders will be embracing that tunnel of pain. But if you have done the training for this event you will fly up.... no really you will :-)
Tunnel vision on Kidds Hill Remember it's only gravity !
Groombridge Hill
Riders who are riding the Classic route go deeper into the Weald area of the South East crossing over into the county of Kent to tackle the climb of Groombridge Hill. Humourously nicknamed by some as the "Col du Groombridge", this is no Alpine climb but nevertheless it is one more big hill to sap the energy from your legs. Consevation of energy is advised on this hill as you won't even by half way around the Classic route while on this climb.
Col du Groombridge. Not a savage climb but one that still deserves some respect !
Cob Lane Hill
If we wanted to paint a rosy picture about Cob Lane we'd start with the fact that this hill is pleasantly short in length and climbs through a lovely wooded area with over hanging trees sheltering you from any harsh sun light. We'd also state that soon after this hill is a feeding station to rest and replace your energy. These statements would be true but missing one important fact, that with a gradient of 20% this hill is a cycling shoe cleat breaker ! Many entrants of the Springtime Classic have to resign themselves to walking up this hill.
Depending on the weather conditions on the day of the event those lovely over hanging trees we mentioned earlier tend to drop their leaves on this 20% gradient making the surface of the road slightly slippery and even harder to climb, resulting in wheel spin if any excessive energy is applied to the pedals.
We predict if you haven't saved some leg strength for this hill then you will be taking the walk of shame. Be warned though there will more than likely be photographic evidence of you taking the walk of shame as others travel to the accent of glory recorded by Avelo Images who are the official photographers of the 2014 Springtime Classic.
Seemingly Avelo Images photographers only take pictures where there is an abundance of gravity ! So keep your head up and give your best "this isn't hurting" face or "look at me conquring this beast" face for future photogaphic evidence of victory over the Cob.
These are just some of the hills en route and we could wax lyrical about them all day as they are such great climbs on the Springtime Classic Cyclosportive.
Of course we shouldn't forget what goes up must come down and this cyclosportive has its fair share of great descents as well as climbs. It is the perfect Cyclosportive event to test your early season fitness with a great social feel to the whole day and at the same time this event is raising awareness and funds for the Sussex Heart Charity.
This Cyclosportive Challenge is a challenge par excellence all the three routes of the Springtime Classic take in some wonderful countryside. Feed stations en route are based at Village Halls which have a good choice of energy drink and other fast fuel foods from sponsors. More importantly savoury foods like delicious sausage rolls are also available should your taste buds be getting bored with the sweet things.
Most notably the feed stations have toilets and all offer a safe place to wait if you need a mechanic or need to be picked up by the broom wagon. Qualified Medics are available on route should you need medical attention.
You are advised to enter early.
The event is run by SRS Events raising funds and awareness for the Sussex Heart Charity.
Well Run
The event has all the amenities a cyclosportive rider might need.
Fast signing on procedure.
Safe drop off point for belongings.
Free Parking.
Plus when you get back from your ride the usual great welcome back to the HQ
Free snack meal to immediately replenish your energy after the ride.
Electronic timing by Sportident for this event will mean that riders will get their time immediately after finishing and entrants will be able to download a Certificate after the event
ENTER TODAY!
Entries open now, see the website.
http://www.srs-events.cc/event1/how-to-enter.htm
Standard entry price £30
Entries on the day £40 if available. see website for availability.
WEB SITE
http://www.srs-events.cc/event1/event-details.htm
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SRS Events page
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BRITISH CYCLING MEMBER DISCOUNT
British Cycling members can get discounted entry to the 2014 SRS Events Cyclosportive Series, which starts with the Burgess Hill Winter Cyclosportive on February 23, followed by two great events in March with the Passista Cyclosportive and the very popular Burgess Hill Springtime Classic on March 30
In total the series has nine events in 2014 with notable favourites for many such as the 1066 Cyclosportive and Brighton to Brighton Cyclosportive, which have been run successfully for many years.
The first three events are now taking entries with generous early bird discounts available. All other events will be opening for entries very soon.
All events have at least three routes to choose from and are well supported with mechanics and medical help should you needed it. With excellent feed stations and great route marking these events should not be missed.
All events are raising awareness and funds for the Sussex Heart Charity, so why not take part to raise money for a good cause!
550 Rider entered already
VIDEOS OF THE EVENT
Click on the image to play video
SRS Springtime Classic 2011 from Alistair Cooper on Vimeo.
Click on the image to play video
SRS Spring Cyclosportive - March 2009 from Alistair Cooper on Vimeo.
PHOTOGRAPHY
Official photographers of the Burgess Hill Springtime Classic is Avelo Images
CHARITY
This event is raising awareness and funds for the Sussex Heart Charity.
ON THE RIVET Velo Club
For those that live in the Brighton and surrounding areas the ON THE RIVET Velo Club is now sponsored by SRS Events the club runs regular training rides. Some of which use parts of the Springtime Classic Cyclosportive route. The club also organises training camps and trips abroad to continental cyclosportives which include the Tour of Flanders, Ronde Picarde and the Tour de France.
Photos from the 2013 event. by Avelo Images
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