Event HQ and HOTA Start/ Finish:
Westerham Brewery, Beggars Lane, Westerham TN16 1QP

When you arrive at Westerham Brewery there is no need to sign on as you will have your rider number/ chip attached to your handlebars and are ready to depart.

Please make sure you attach your rider number to the FRONT OF YOUR BIKE this way our 4 event photographers can catch you gurning your way up the Cols of Kent and W.Sussex.

If your rider number has not arrived head inside to the tap room and our Event Help Desk where we will allocate you a new rider number and get you on your way.

Join the queue to depart at your allocated time or as close to it as possible and we’ll get you rolling as quickly as we can.

ROUTE AND ROUTE FILES

The route can be viewed on the HOTA website underneath the Route tab and at https://ridewithgps.com/routes/40835774 where you can export the route file best suited to your bike computer. The route has been traced and comes in at 101km with 1650m of climbing but in reality it’s 1850m of climbing. (Don’t ask me why when the route is traced it loses a couple of hundred metres).

Feed station 1 - approximately 2 hrs to get to / Km 44 (based on average speed of 23km/hr)

Feed station 2 - approximately 3hrs 20mins to get to / Km 80 (based on average speed of 23km/hr)

First riders will leave 8am subject to final checks for ice by our support moto bikes. Please stick to your allocated start times to help us dispatch you quickly and save you waiting / queuing in the cold.

Our broom wagon will leave 45 minutes after the last riders depart - if the broom wagon passes you, the course will remain open and signs remain in place but you are fully responsible for getting yourself back to event HQ and there is no rider support in case of a mechanical.

The route will be clearly sign posted with arrow markers at every junction.

ASHDOWN FOREST FORDS

Note we are going through the two fords in Ashdown Forest - the second ford is marshalled. You will need to dismount and take the walkway as the ford is in a pretty bad state. It will only take a matter of seconds to dismount, walk the 5 yards and remount - and save a possible off or puncture/ broken wheel. Use your common sense at the fords and take extreme care please throughout the route in Ashdown Forest.

PARKING

Please note that all car parking at all 3 parking locations is SOLD OUT. For those without pre paid parking please try and avoid Westerham town centre itself as it will be extremely busy. You will find it easiest to park a couple of km away in either Brasted or Sundridge where there are plenty of back lanes and on street parking options then cycle the 2km to the start/ Event HQ. Croydon Road coming into Westerham has free on street car parking and is only 1 mile to the event start. If you do head to the public car park in Westerham - Darent car park, 6 Hollingworth Way, Westerham TN16 1BS - make sure you pay and display as Sundays are no longer free. Note there is an overhead gantry so no bikes on car roofs.

• For those with a parking space at Westerham Brewery remember access closes up at 07.30am
• For those parking at Valence School please note there will be a one way traffic flow system in place
• Car parks open from 6.45am
• Please remember to bring your parking confirmation email / QR code with you and be ready to show to our volunteer marshals upon request. You can access your parking proof of purchase via your event profile by logging into Eventrac via your rider ticket receipt issued to you by email when you purchased your entry ticket - we will send out a copy of your car parking receipt and QR code later this week as back up along with directions to your car park

DROP OFF ZONE

If you are being dropped off please do not get dropped at the brewery entrance - instead we recommend drop off at the BP Petrol station garage forecourt / what3words (them.modes.signal). It's then a 1km easy downhill spin to the start line.

CAFFEINE

At the brewery we have 4 coffee stations open from 7am - Get your caffeine fixes in you're going to need every little boost.

TOILETS

Plenty of portaloos in the brewery grounds you’ll see them upon arrival.

EXHIBITORS

Be sure to drop by our exhibitors and chat with them before or after the ride - if you’ve forgotten anything like sunnies, gloves you will be able to pick up a pair. This year we have the Stone Circle crew, EKOI, Reilly Cycle Works, Sevenoaks Bikes, Ribble, Scribe Wheels, CAMS and Invani.CC.

BAG DROP

Head to the Help Desk inside the tap room where you can leave a small bag if needed. Please note Flamme Rouge Events and Westerham Brewery accept no liability for loss or damage to any of your possessions left with our volunteers.

POST RIDE AND TIME FOR A BEER/ FOOD

After your ride don’t forget to grab a HOTA sticker once you cross the finish line for your complimentary can of beer or soft drink and check out the street food trucks ready to serve you up some tasty grub. Download the Westerham Brewery app, order beer and food via the app and you’ll be served at your table - no bar counter service. Rest those legs - We come to you after all that hard riding!

EMERGENCY CONTACT NUMBER - 07495 230952 - SAVE IT NOW INTO YOUR PHONE AS ‘HOTA'

If you have a mechanical issue or incident out on the route please send us a location reference (ideally a 'dropped pin') and your rider number by text AND STAY THERE. We won’t be able to assist with punctures you should be able to repair a flat and have the necessary equipment. We have 4 motos out on the course who will be able to assist.

KIT / EQUIPMENT

Plenty of layers please it’s better to have too many layers than not enough. Make sure you have at least 2 inner tubes, CO2 cartridges/ pump, plenty of nutrition and please please charge your front and back lights.

TOP TUBE ROUTE STICKER

We have produced a top tube route sticker outlining the main climbs which will be given to you whilst you queue to depart. The sticker adhesive has been extensively tested and checked to ensure it comes away clean from your top tube post ride but we’ll throw in a disclaimer - you attach the top tube sticker to your bike at your discretion and Flamme Rouge Events accepts no liability for any problems with the removal of the sticker from your bike post ride.

EVENT PHOTOS

will be available 48 hours after the ride - save this link now so you can check back for your best grimaces - https://search.sportsactionphoto.co.uk/galleries/HOTA-2025

We’re looking forward to welcoming you - Have a great ride

The HOTA Team

Flamme Rouge Events, Westerham Brewery & Chartwell Cancer Trust (and our small army of volunteers and parking marshals giving up their Sunday to help out)

Last minute questions / queries - email us (paul@flammerougeevents.com)