Our resident serious cyclist and co-founder Andrew Nethercot has delved deep into his memory recesses and knowledge of the sportive scene to bring you what he believes are the UK’s hardest sportives.

Dragon Ride

Perfectly timed in early June as part of Etape or Marmotte preparation, longer “alpine” style climbs on the Bylch and Rhigos, 132 miles, 10,800 ft of climbing, has suffered in past with too many riders and organisation being poor but those problems have been resolved with Human Race taking over. Beautiful Welsh scenery.

Fred Whitton

Over 100 miles in early May is very tough. Takes in almost all the paved roads that go up the steepest hills and leaves two of the worst until last: Wrynose and Hardknott passes. Both are fearsome with Hardknott having sections of 35% gradient. Some manage to keep cycling but many walk. A brutal day.

King of the Downs

The full circuit is almost 190 km and takes in almost 3000 m of climbing. It plots a route through the steepest climbs of the South Downs and finishes with Titsey Hill after Yorks Hill. The latter is famous for being the venue for the Catford CC Hill climb. A very tough day on the saddle.

Tour of Wessex

This is included because it is a three day event that tests endurance over a number of days. Some very steep sections and (being the West Country) it often rains. Chapeau to anyone who completes the entire Tour.

Hell of the Ashdown

A long and occasionally very cold season opener (recently pushed later in the calendar due to the weather playing havoc with it). The course heads into the beautiful Ashdown Forest and finds steep and sapping roads. The Wall features large but is one tough climb among many.