Every Tuesday evening was reserved for racing at ‘Palace’ from April through to September — it was the toughest crit series in town. But in 2021, the Crystal Palace Bowl was reintroduced as a music venue, leaving the CP Crits series much shorter.
What to do with those free Tuesday evenings? Staff members Julian and Ben could have sat on the turbo, but instead, they filled that Tuesday night crit hole by devising a devilish route, punching up climbs with a view of the Shard for company.
The short, steep kickers of South East London require a very specific tool. Ben’s is the Leggero SL. Roughly 5% to 7% gradient is the mathematical tipping point where the physics equation shifts from favouring aerodynamics to favouring low weight.
The Leggero SL is the lightest frame in our range, constructed with hand-selected, high-modulus carbon. Ben paired it with an Ultegra Di2 groupset, Condor Aero Carbon bars, and Vittoria Corsa Pro 28mm tires (currently one of the lowest rolling resistance tyres available), mounted to a set of Reserve wheels.
The build
The components
Drivetrain
Chainset: Shimano Ultegra Di2 12-speed, 160mm
Cassette: Shimano Ultegra, 11-30T
Brakes
Shimano Ultegra 12-Speed Hydraulic Disc Calipers with 160mm
Tyres
Vittoria Corsa Pro Tubeless, 28mm (lowest rolling resistant tyres independently tested)
Cockpit
Handlebars: Condor Aero Carbon Handlebar, 38cm
Stem: Deda Superzero RS, 120mm
Seatpost: Condor Strada Carbon Inline , 27.2mm
Saddle: Specialized Power Evo Comp Saddle
Tape: Condor Supremacy Shockproof
The Toll Road
South East London’s topography is a rollercoaster of short, brutal walls. Roads like Sydenham Hill and the legendary 20% ramp of Canonbie Road in Forest Hill don’t offer the long, steady pacing of Alpine cols. Instead, they demand immediate, explosive power — you go hell for leather, and hold on.
There is one exception to these sharp kicks, acting as an oasis in busy London: the College Road Toll Gate in Dulwich. The little white toll booth sits in the center of the road — just before it is an old wooden sign listing pre-decimalisation fees — and charges motorists £1.20 for the journey up its 1.3km ascent. While it’s only a 4% average gradient, it’s perfect for repeated efforts and is almost traffic-free as drivers avoid the fee. It is completely free for bicycles. Towards the top, where it hits an 8% ramp, a segregated bike lane appears. At the summit sits a roundabout — perfect for lapping the "col" where you’ll feel like you’re riding in a quiet village, rather than being a stone's throw from the capital’s skyscrapers.
If you feel adventurous, half way up the toll road is a picket fence and gate to Low Cross Wood Lane, a 400m ascent of 9%.
The Route
Julian and Ben’s loop varies as they discover new residential roads or come across roadworks, but it’s always a relentless rhythm of recovery and redlining. Reminiscent of a Flemish Spring Classic, the route weaves together several climbs before pushing further out. They begin with laps of the Forest Hill cluster, tackling Canonbie from both the east and west, before moving south to take on the secret hairpin ascent of Eliot Bank. From there, climb up to Crystal Palace and then descend to the toll booth, pull a U-turn, and go for glory on a summit finish up to the top of the Toll Road.
That’s 300m of climbing packed into just 15km. From there, they can lap it again, but usually they call it quits and head home.
The route begins on Honor Oak Road.
Ben's kit picks
Sale
Leggero SL Disc
Condor Leggero SL Disc Frameset
Ultraleichter Carbon-Straßenrennrahmensatz mit dem zusätzlichen Vorteil von Scheibenbremsen für Bremskraft bei jedem Wetter.
Sale
Abus Gamechanger 2.0 MIPS Road Helmet
Abus Gamechanger 2.0 MIPS Road Helmet
FASTER FORWARDMake sure you have the decisive edge in the battle for every watt: take your racing experience to the next level with the GameChanger 2.
Best Seller
Condor Essentials Socks - Triple Pack
Condor Essentials Socks - Triple Pack
Schnell feuchtigkeitsableitende, leichte Socken aus weichem Coolplus-Garn.
Condor Aero Carbon Handlebar
Condor Aero Carbon Handlebar
Experience the ultimate road performance with the Condor Aero Carbon handlebar.
Shimano Ultegra Disc R8170 Di2 12-Speed Groupset
Shimano Ultegra Disc R8170 Di2 12-Speed Groupset
Shimanos neueste Ultegra Di2-Gruppe schöpft das Potenzial der elektronischen Schaltung aus und bietet zudem erstklassige Bremsen Shimanos Ultegra R8170 Di2-Disc-Gruppe nutzt die Technologie des Flaggschiffs Dura-Ace und ist besser als je zuvor.
Sale
Vittoria Corsa Pro TLR Wide Rim Tubeless Ready Tyre
Vittoria Corsa Pro TLR Wide Rim Tubeless Ready Tyre
CORSA PRO - FEEL WHAT THE PROS FEEL.
Fizik Lyra Road Shoes
Fizik Lyra Road Shoes
Fizik Lyra Unisex Road Shoes combine comfort, support and efficiency for riders on daily rides or faster outings.
Condor Supremacy Shockproof Race Handlebar Tape
Condor Supremacy Shockproof Race Handlebar Tape
Condor Supremacy Shockproof Race ist ein Hochleistungsband, das den nötigen Halt bei nassen oder trockenen Bedingungen bietet.