The Velopace Big Dipper

The route takes you north of Herstmonceux, up to Brightling and into Mad Jack Fuller territory. The route takes you right past Brightling Church where he's buried under the pyramid and a mile or so after that past the Observatory (those stars again) that he built at the highest point in East Sussex, before descending into the valley. Past Batemans, home of Rudyard Kipling, and then heading east towards Robertsbridge, where the Big Dipper turns left and the Little Dipper turns right.

The Big Dipper heads east to Tenterden and on into Kent before heading south to Appledore, Peasmarsh (see if you can spot the entrance to Paul Macartney's place, there you go again, more stars), past The Plough pub on the Udimore Road, and then up the infamous Battery Hill, after which you head north again to Battle, past another Plough pub in Westfield, and then the finish, but not before a sharp sting in the tail at Wartling.

The Little Dipper dodges Kent, but not many of the climbs so whichever ride you do you'll have earned your medal at the finish.

Here's what Big Dipper 2014 riders said:

“Great event. Very well organised, nice but challenging route and we were very lucky with the weather."

“Thanks for a well run day good food stops friendly people looking forward to more rides with velopace."

“what a beautiful ride"

“this is like one of the Belgian one dayers, Liege-Bastonne-Liege - epic"

“this is what sportives are all about, great variety, some tough climbs, great descents and rolling stretches that let you push on"

Test yourself over what we think is a cracking ride and is fast becoming a classic East Sussex sportive – don't take our word for it though, enter now and see what it's all about on Sunday 13 September 2015.