GS Avanti Kentish Killer

On Sunday 20th Feb, GS Avanti held their "Kentish Killer" Sportive.

This event follows on from the success of the inaugural event last year.

The Brands Hatch motor racing circuit was chosen as the start/finish venue this time around, which added a "grand" feel to the occasion.

There was a choice of 47 or 73 mile routes, with the first riders getting started at 8:30, several opting for the shorter route at the last minute (I can't say that I blame them).

The temperature didn't get above 3c all day, with persistent mist and drizzle, it was always going to be a challenging day for the riders and organisers alike.

The sportive had sold out (550) by the end of January, so there were plenty of willing bodies to heave their way through the punishing route.

All of the Avanti club members help out with the various jobs that are required to make a successful event such as these. There also appeared to be some friends and family brought in to help.

My job for the morning was to help with registrations. Despite the early start, I was one of the lucky ones, inside in the warm. The marshals out on the course had hours of standing in the cold to contend with, helping to keep the riders safe at key junctions.

Each rider was giving an ankle strap timing chip, a number for their bike, route instructions and telephone numbers to call in case they had an emergency out on the course.

Once the registrations were complete I headed out on the road to follow the course and take some photo's. I'd used my camera equipment the previous day, and in the fog of getting up early to get to Brands I left my flash gun at home, I therefore had to use the in built flash which is quite a compromise in speed sadly, I managed to miss quite a few shots as a result - doh!

The riders left Brands using the Paddock Exit, I took the same exit as I don't know the area very well. I followed the signs put up to guide the riders through the countryside, no chance of taking a wrong turn, all was well posted. Within a couple of miles I saw a couple mending a puncture at the side of the road, not a great start for them I thought.

Often with events like these when I'm stuck behind the camera I become envious that I'm not riding, but having seen how poor the road conditions were, and how surprisingly biting the cold was, I was pleased to be able to jump back into my warm car in between shots!

Then there were the hills, one vicious assault after another especially when you consider how early in the season it is. I wasn't surprised to see a few pushing their bikes.

I followed the course for about 20 miles, and then cut across to Ide Hill as I figured that some of the faster riders (and short course riders) would be arriving soon. Within a few minutes of arriving riders started to appear out of the mist, shame, there is a great view from that location, when I'm riding I usually stop there to take in the view (and get my breath back).

Clearly the previous hills had sapped some strength as one young lad weaved his way up! But generally spirits seemed to be high, with probably another 45 minutes of riding left for them to do.

Me? well I ended up on the turbo trainer for an hour and a half in the afternoon, how sad is that after seeing all those brave souls out on the road!?

I had a quick chat with one of the club members (Darren) manning the bike repair station at the top of Ide Hill, before leaving for the day. But not before I became the hero to the Marshal at the bottom of Ide Hill who had left his lunch at the top (3 miles away)!

Looking at the Kentish Killer website it appears that plenty enjoyed themselves, some nice comments regarding the organisation, great to get feedback like that.

Rider times ranged from 2 hours 50 minutes to 6 hours on the shorter course and 4 hours 16 minutes to 7 hours 30 minutes on the long course.