Words and photos by Howard Johnson
As a rider I am still pushing the boundaries of my limits for distance in a sportive, and I am still to decide whether forewarned is forearmed, or ignorance is bliss as to how much information I need before the start. After previewing the Pearson 150, I think the former is the better option. The Pearson 150 Sportive has been created to celebrate the 150th Anniversary of the Pearson Cycles shop and to help raise money for the Royal Marsden Hospital and Pearson's own charity "Right to Ride".
Starting from the Royal Marsden Hospital near Sutton, the 150km event follows most of the BHF London to Brighton route to Brighton, a short distance on the sea front and then a challenging ride back due north to the finish. With approximately 1800m of climbing, including Ditchling Beacon, this route has some stern tests of will power, especially towards the end.
The start however takes riders towards Bansted and then across to Woodmansterne and the quiet narrow lanes. There is nothing too challenging early on however I would show some caution on the descents as the roads are narrow and gritty, especially heading towards the M25, where you pass under the motorway, there are some decent sized pot holes to catch out the unwary.
Further on and you will pass under the M23 and the lanes run parallel to the motorway and at 15 miles into the ride the road kicks up from Smallfield. Do keep your head down at this point as there are low flying aircraft on final approach into Gatwick Aiport on your right. Climb up to Turners Hill and then it is rolling roads through some picturesque villages such as Ardingly and then onto the narrow roads in Ditchling and on to the Beacon. You can see the wall of hills in front of you for quite a few miles, and there is no escape, you are going over the top.
The approach to the Beacon takes you through Ditchling village, and its narrow roads, so please use caution here. Once through the village the climb starts. It is a horrid climb with sections that ramp up to over 15% gradient, and it twists and turns, just when you think it can’t go up any more, the roads goes left or right to reveal another incline. The climb starts at 90m above sea level and ends 1.6km later at 248m above sea level. Eventually you will get to the top and what a view! A spectacular view of the South Downs.
The 4km descent down towards the A27 is the reward for a hard climb, but be aware of the speed camera; it may catch you out on the fast 10% descent into Brighton.
The feed station for the 150km route will be in Brighton, the exact location has still to be decided, and the riders in the shorter route will be replenished at the Charlwood village hall. Once into Brighton it is going to be busy, as you can imagine, so take care and use the cycle lanes if you can. Once past the Pavilion it is a right turn along the see front to the Odeon Cinema and another right turn. There are some sneaky stiff climbs out of Brighton and out towards the A27 and Devils Dyke. With some fast dips and sharp rises the road quickly takes you away from the sea deep in to rural lanes of West Sussex.
Once you cross over the A272 the roads do start to kick up a little, and the route takes you through some sleepy little villages and then onto Hampshire Hill and a steep little drop down the gorgeous Hammer Pond, and the sharp right turn and the climb out parallel to the pond. These little undulations will now be eating into energy reserves and once at Faygate there is still another 20 odd miles left to the finish.
Through Rusper and Newdigate the road is dipping up and down all the way to the A24 at Dorking. You are on this for only half a mile or so and then it turns right and rises sharply into again some single tack lanes and this is the start to a double sting in the tail of the event. It is a relentless slog up to Headley with a quick drop back under the M25 and the short sharp energy draining climb to the Epsom Downs; there’s then a short drop to the final part of the ride. You are now about 2 miles from the finish, but there is a long drag of a climb that will sap any remaining energy from you and then it’s a left turn and downhill all the way to the finish.
I will be riding to Ditchling Beacon knowing I can climb it with a triple. The drop into Brighton is great, the short sharp climbs out of Brighton will be painful but then it is into energy conservation mode for the undulations that will drain you until you get to Dorking. Refuel before Dorking and it’s a slog up to Epsom. I’d recommend a short refuel at Epsom for the final two rises that will be painful, I’m sure.
Forewarned is forearmed, and 150kms is going to be a long day out, but the course does give spectacular views and a great satisfaction in completing what will be a tough ride.
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Event website: click here >>