The 100 Climbs Challenge - South East Edition

I'm taking the show on the road! After two VERY WET events run on my home roads close to Sheffield last year I'm heading to the sunny south for the next 100 Climbs Challenge to my old training grounds, the short sharp hills of the North Downs. This time there are 14 climbs to attack from the Surrey Hills across to Sevenoaks all from my books and Apps and like all the 100 Climbs challenges YOU are in charge of your route!

Simon Warren's 100 Climbs Challenge is back!

The author of the 100 Climbs series has a new event for 2025, and this time - after two very wet editions on home roads in 2024 - he's heading south.

This year's edition takes the same formula and applies it to the short, sharp hills of Simon's old training grounds in the North Downs. There are 14 climbs to attack, from the Surrey Hills across to Sevenoaks in Kent, and once again you are in charge of plotting the route. You'll score points for each climb you complete, with prizes on offer for the shortest distance to collect the required 40 points.

The format is simpler than it sounds - we'll let Simon explain:

1. I tell you which hills to ride. (All taken from my books and apps)
2. You plot the route. That’s right, YOU plot the route. There are no arrows to follow, there’s no .gpx file to download, just a series of points on a map to link in whatever way you wish, a bit like orienteering, but on a bike and with big hills. To make it a challenge each climb is attributed an amount of points adding up to a total of 75 from which you will need to score 40 to qualify as a finisher. This presents you the rider with the task of plotting the best course to outwit the other riders and get back in the shortest distance. 

"(It’s not a race though, speed is of no consequence.)

"You should be able to put together a route at around 100km to bag the required points, however if you want a real challenge and want to RIDE THEM ALL, you will be looking at closer to 180km! There will be a prize for shortest distance covered to reach 40 points, and the shortest distance for all 75 points, but no prizes for time!

Entry costs £42, which includes a personalised numberboard for your bike, food and drink before and after the event and "unique goodies" to take home.

Find out more at www.100climbs.co.uk/events.