Punishing bike event a success

First King of the Downs race romps in

Billed as the newest and toughest event in the country, last Sunday's King of the Downs is a gruelling endurance bike event across the South Downs sponsored by Evans Cycles.

In its first year, 1,000 riders battled through driving rain that drenched every pedal of the 110-mile course, with only 200 finishing the race to end of the last loop.

Fierce headwinds joined the rain for a truly battering experience, made all the more severe thanks to the elevations of the course - 10 killer hills with a 9000ft total climb.

"We're already looking forward to putting this event on next year," says Event Manager Dean Stacey. "It's early days but the iconic riding and climbing on the King of the Downs is sure to make this a classic UK sportive for years to come."

For those of you who missed this year's event - and for those knackered riders who couldn't finish the last leg of the race - you can give your thighs a sound battering by joining in with a repeat of the second, 53-mile long loop this July.

Check out the Ride It! section at www.evanscycles.com for more details