*New date* Pearson Steeplechase Sportive

Join us for the Pearson Steeplechase road or gravel sportive on the new date of 27 April 2024.

The Pearson Steeplechase is an exciting dual-discipline event for both road or gravel riders.

EVENT DETAILS

Sign up for either a 100km road route or 60km gravel route, both from the same venue.

Date and time: Saturday 27 April 2024, 9:30-16:00

Price: £50 including woven finisher’s badge.

Venue and location: Hurtwood Park Polo Club, Cranleigh, GU6 7SW.

Food and refreshments: Food and drink stalls at HQ. Licensed bar in Hurtwood house. Ample food and hydration stations on both routes. 

Entertainment: Music at start and finish, gantry start/finish line. Polo match invites for afternoon picnic opportunities for riders and families.

Rider benefits: Mechanics at HQ and feedstop, roaming first aid responders and medical provision at HQ. Fully signposted route, GPS routing, timing mat with bike mounted timing chips. Woven finisher’s badge for gravel and road riders. Rider event photography. Idyllic cycling routes and premium facilities and surroundings at Hurtwood Polo Club, steeped in the Surrey countryside.

As the name suggests, the Pearson Steeplechase is inspired by the equine discipline of steeplechasing, a sport invented in Ireland in the 18th century. A time when people rode horses rather than bikes and went to church for the churchy stuff, rather than to try to bag a school place. (We know, crazy.) If you want to witness traditional steeplechasing these days, you’ll need to visit a country point-to-point, the Cheltenham Festival or your local branch of William Hill (other bookmakers are available.)

Alternatively, you could take part in the inaugural edition of the Pearson Steeplechase, which takes place next May. Staged across the rolling Surrey countryside, the event offers two different courses on two types of terrain; gravel grinders can sign up to a 60km off-road ride, while road riders can opt for a 100km route on the hard stuff. According to experts (us), a good roadie and their gravel riding equivalent should complete their respective distances in roughly the same time. 

Whichever course you choose, riders will be required to pass five checkpoints all of which are, funnily enough, church steeples. The event is likely to be competitive but, like the Lord’s house, all are welcome. Indeed, for those of you who conclude that slow-and-steady doesn’t win the race but frankly who cares, Pearson will be waiting at the finish line with a beverage or two. Because, in contrast to the abundance of steeples you’ll encounter en route, the Pearson Steeplechase concludes at the final watering hole.

If that wasn’t enough, we’ve even roped in some equine action for the post-ride entertainment. The steeplechase concludes at the Hurtwood Park Polo Club where, as luck would have it, a polo match will take place that same afternoon and is free-to-watch to all Pearson Steeplechasers.

Book your spot today in support of our mental health charity, the Campaign Against Living Miserably (Calm).