Cycle Surgery Sportive

Rated Event: 52.222%

NeilAllen wrote:

This was my 3rd sportive this year and by far the worst. The food stations were well over half way into the ride, which is just far too long!! The GU supplements that they use are just to heavy to take while riding. I don't understand why we didn't get a finishers medal but instead got a t-shirt and a bag with a catalogue from the cycle surgery. There also wasn't even a finish line banner and no water station at the end. This was one of the most expensive sportives I've done.

Rated Event: 68.889%

MartynBlackman wrote:

I was invited along by friends late in the day. £35 for a sportive seemed to me to be a lot of money especially when others out there are doing it for £15 i.e. Evans Cycles. Even their Flagship ride (King of the Downs) is only £25 & you get a goody bag & pasta tea coffee after & breakfast etc. before. I was a little taken back at registration & maybe after finding out the price was expecting a little more. Although I finished 2mins behind my friends I was told that I was 6mins in front of them, this isn't important to them or me in the grand scale of things but why offer timing if it makes such glaring errors as that. My only other comment was that the feed stations didn't have variety, no dried fruit etc. & at the last stop my friends & I found that the chocolate brownies tasted of petrol, obviously they'd been in someone's boot. I don't think I'll be attending anymore Cycle Surgery rides which is a shame because everyone was really friendly & the course was well signposted

Rated Event: 73.333%

ruthclarke wrote:

The 1st feedstop was too far from the start, approx 45 miles in. There was no energy gels, the energy drink was horrible, too sweet and very sticky, the cakes were lovely though. No instruction at the start regarding what signs we were following, we had to guess and coming back in the last 2 were completely different so we almost missed them. No indication at the start or finish which way to go. Several of the roads were not really suitable for cycling, with loose gravel, sand & pot holes. We weren't the last in by any means but there was no finish welcome, no finish arch, no medal, no water or banana. A cotton bag containing an Oakley sticker and pen & a cycle surgery brochure. Also a cotton (not technical) t shirt. The marshals, feedstop people and 1st aiders were all very friendly and helpful and they give you your printed out results immediately. All in all I enjoyed it and would probably do it again.

Rated Event: 68.889%

EnyaElswood wrote:

Feed station was poorly stocked. GU stuff is too thick to take but no other option. No jelly beans, no jelly babies to munch easily. The timing chip seems very out dated unlike other events where they use sticky label on your helmet. First feedstop was too far.

Rated Event: 98.889%

ClaireMiller wrote:

A beautiful route - definitely an improvement from last year and gorgeous weather on the day. Fantastic feed stops but would perhaps have these earlier on in the route - they were at approx 41m and 67m on an 80m route. Otherwise great ride out, would definitely do again.

Rated Event: 95.556%

LevienneCroft wrote:

This was an excellent ride marred only by the vile weather, it looked like we had gone cross country by the time we got back and having a puncture only 5 miles form the end was quite a blow.
Auntie's brownies were to die for and worth going back next year to have one. The only thing i would have liked was a cup of tea at the end, i had expected some nice tea lady in the pavillion but i didn't see any drinks available at all. Otherwise it was very friendly and enjoyable.

Rated Event: 93.333%

DamianBunting wrote:

Good climbs and some stunning countryside, shame about the weather. Very well organised. See you next year!!

Rated Event: 94.444%

jasonbeesley wrote:

a great ride

Rated Event: 100.000%

CorinneDavies wrote:

What a fantastic event! I cycle regularly in the Surrey Hills but this route took me on some lovely quiet roads I didn't even know existed - I particularly liked the climb in Bedham with the beautiful beech trees - magic!

Rated Event: 95.556%

RichardPriest wrote:

Excellent organisation.

Rated Event: 91.111%

TomBreur wrote:

Fabulous event, and great organization. I loved the way the course was designed with food stations at elevated points and some of the highlights (21% hill!) on the second half of the course. The last 5-10km were mostly downhill which was a great way to finish this amazing tour.

I have done other impressive tours like the Flanders Tour amateur ride, but this definitely rates as one of the best ever! Kudos to the organizers, I hope we have better weather next year, and I have the privilege of participating again.

Rated Event: 50.000%

PhilippeTHEROND wrote:

I thought the course was dangerous in parts, with too many lanes that were just too narrow and poorly surfaced to ride a road bike at speed. (potholes, gravel, sand, puddles, bits of tree branches, horse shit, patches of grass, mud, etc ...), The wet weather (not rain but the tarmac was still wet from earlier downpours) did not help but I'd say some parts would be dangerous even in fair weather.
There may be a need to signal sharp turns in descents ahead of the turn in order to avoid crashes but avoiding them by design is an even better idea, particularly in such narrow lanes where if you get surprised and if you go wide at the turn you could face oncoming traffic with potential serious consequences.

The HQ was very poor because not only was it not tarmaced but even the access road to it wasn't and riders had to go through a patch that one only normally finds in cyclo cross event to go out and get back in. Also the toilets and changing facilities were (quite) undersized.

I will go back to the Surrey Hills on a road bike because I thought the area was outstanding and I am thankful for making me discover it. However, it won't be as part of the Scott GB sportive which gets a black mark from me.

Rated Event: 26.667%

IainArmitage wrote:

Poor event all around. Very unprofessional at sign in, lack of clear route, no facilities on return, no BBQ which was promised but had run out of gas, no hot drinks despite poor weather, no bike cleaning facilities. Save your money for one run by some professionals

Rated Event: 74.444%

SimonStockton wrote:

Hideous conditions and nasty hills (mountains?!) but a well organised and run event which I would gladly do again. Only gripes were a timing chip issue and I felt the second feed station was on the 'wrong' side of the road, meaning you had to cross oncoming traffic to get to it. Perhaps it was on the 'right' side of the road for long course riders? Nevermind. Happy to see so many other idiots giving up a nice Sunday at home for a slog through the water and mud in balmy 7 degree temps!

Rated Event: 85.556%

gh74761 wrote:

This is the third sportive I have done and the most enjoyable - and this despite the weather. Wonderful route - not too many cars - great climbs - loved Leith Hill and Barhatch loved that they were later in the course too.
Made me feel secure to see St Johns Medical staff - thanks to them. Loved the home made cake too. I did crash - but despite that - and despite the weather - and despite the runaway horse - fantastic sportive.

Rated Event: 93.333%

Herbie wrote:

Lived in the area all my cycling life, so knew it pretty well, but still the odd completely new road - e.g. climb out of Hascombe. The route was put together brilliantly and really is quite testing with some respite in the Low Weald. Shows off Surrey really well, and hardly saw many cars considering the area.

Rated Event: 83.333%

PaulMarkland wrote:

great route, although warning about the road conditons would have been good. Also hot drinks would have been a nice touch at the finish and the promised sausage at the end of a wet windy day !

Rated Event: 74.444%

NickSummerson wrote:

A superb event and a great course. Signs were some of the best i have seen. Top marks for that. Just a few small things would have made this the best sportive i have riden ever.

Thanks

Rated Event: 91.111%

wrote:

good. pity about the bad conditions. some warning on poor road surface wouldve been handy.

Rated Event: 83.333%

AngusMacpherson wrote:

This is a great course, there are some great climbs, but the cake is the best!