The Spring Classics – Liege-Bastonne-Liege, Paris-Roubaix – are for the hard men of the peloton, testing physical, mental and mechanical resilience. The pro riders spend their winters targeting these legendary races, generally acknowledged as being an early indication of a riders form, but you don’t have to go to Belgium to do that
Sunday 19 May 2024 sees the 8th edition of The BHCC Spring Classic. HQ is at the Observatory Science Centre, Herstmonceux and rolls out into the Sussex Weald and the Ashdown Forest, through undulating country lanes with very little traffic, challenging you to take on some of the finest climbs that East Sussex has to offer. There will be coffee and food at HQ all day, a marquee with seating in and out, and we will be serving great local beer courtesy of Route 21 Brewery. All finishers will receive a voucher for a draught beer. There will be a feed station on each route stocked with fruit, drinks and a wide selection of home-baked sweet and savoury goodies.
Both routes run through the Sussex High Weald AONB taking in some of the most beautiful lanes and villages in the area.
Epic’ route 104km – 1600m climbing (16m/km) – provisional start time 08:30
‘Challenge’ route 66km – 1000m climbing (15m/km) – provisional start time 08:45
NEW Family Route – 37km – 464m climbing (13m/km) – provisional start time 09:00
The ‘Epic’ Route – GPS file
A rolling start followed by a gentle (mainly!) 10km climb to Netherfield. Down to Mountfield to the start of the Brightling Prime (18km). This climb up to Brightling is stunning, a narrow but very quiet road that winds its way up past Darwell Reservoir. Look out for Mad Jack’s great Pyramid as you pass Brightling Church. The Prime finishes at the crossroads near the observatory (28km). From the crossroads it’s a long fast descent followed by a short sharp shock to take you to Burwash. Then it’s down again to another beautiful road along the Rother Valley towards Mayfield where the long and medium routes diverge (41km). There’s a short descent to Coggins Mill followed by a steep start to the climb to Mark Cross then it’s mainly downhill to the feed station at Groombridge (59km). Shortly after the feed station get into a rhythm on the steady 4km climb to the top of Ashdown Forest (68km). After the long descent it rolls to Horam (90km) where both routes re-combine for a fast run in to the finish through Vines Cross and Cowbeech.
The ‘Challenge’ Route – GPS file
A rolling start followed by a gentle (mainly!) 10km climb to Netherfield. Down to Mountfield to the start of the Brightling Prime (18km). This climb up to Brightling is stunning, a narrow but very quiet road that winds its way up past Darwell Reservoir. Look out for Mad Jack’s great Pyramid as you pass Brightling Church. The Prime finishes at the crossroads near the observatory (28km). From the crossroads it’s a long fast descent followed by a short sharp shock to take you up to Burwash. Then it’s down again to another beautiful road along the Rother Valley towards Mayfield where the routes diverge (41km). From here there’s a short descent to cross the Rother followed by a 3km climb to the feed station at Broad Oak (46km). Then along the ridge to Heathfield before a fast descent to Horam where the routes re-combine for the run in to the finish through Vines Cross and Cowbeech.
The Family Route – NEW for 2024! – GPS file
Gently undulating for the first 12km or so, with the main challenge taking you over the next 6km until you find relief at the Broad Oak feed station, just before half way. From the 19km point onwards, you join the riders on the ‘Challenge’ Route through Heathfield, Horam (where all rides converge) and through Vines Cross and Cowbeach. Youth riders will receive a medal, whilst accompanying adults will have to settle for a refreshing post-ride beer (optional!)
The organiser has decided on a minimum age limit of 16 years for the Epic and Challenge Routes, and 12 for the Family Route. All riders under 18 year of age on the Epic and Challenge Routes must be accompanied by an adult at all times and the British Cycling Parental Consent form must be completed and handed to the registration team on the day.
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Refunds and Transfers
If this event is cancelled or postponed due to adverse weather, COVID or any other unforeseen circumstance all entries will be honoured and moved to the next available event date.