Southdowns Way

Cipollini

Thinking of riding the Southdowns Way from end to end over a weekend. From where I live I think it will be easier to start in Eastbourne and finish in Winchester. Have many people done it that way. I was wondering if it was well signposted if I was to ride it backwards. Also is it any harder/easier in a certain direction.
Thanks

pecanpie

easier west to east, depends on the wind. What are the conditions out there like at the moment after all this rain?

Paul Stumpy FSR

hi, i was just going to write a post on this as i'm doing it soon and wanted some info. sorry to hi jack
i have been using this site http://www.bikedowns.co.uk/ for loads of info. its really well described and gives great detail every step of the way.
a few of us were going to do it last saturday but the weather was so horrific we pulled out.
hoping to do it on the 19th, winchester to shoreham, where i am, in a day. its gonna be tough, especially if it hasnt dried out much by then.
we have a gps with the 1:50k with the route mapped out so hoping to go by that. got loads of energy bars and drinks etc to use up.
best of luck with your attempt
Paul

Cipollini

Cheers for the link. I will take a look. I was thinking of trying to borrow a Garmin off someone as it will make it easier. The last thing we want to do is end up loosing the route. Good luck with your ride. Hopefully the weather will be ok. We are planning to do it in a month or so. So hopefully it will have dried out by then.

Paul Stumpy FSR

thanks. i went up there just now and its pretty muddy and slippery. hopefully have a dry week. will post an update if we do it.
you can probably suffice with just an OS map, well, a few, but we arent taking any chances.
good luck too

trevron73

I did the first section forom Eastbourne to Alfristone last week the 8th may ,it was very slippy in places ,all that wet clay and mud .I left my car at Eastbourne and cycled to Alfristone off road then back through Friston forest and back over Beachy head it was a great introduction to South downs and im Heading back on Monday 21st may to do another section if anybody wants to keep me company heres hoping for dry weather .One last thing ,the signs are well posted just follow the blue acorns and arrows and not the blue arrows i havnt joined the tech spec yet and use O/S MAPS and was fine .

Paul Stumpy FSR

Hi,
we did from Winchester to Shoreham on Saturday. Weather was perfect, white cloud, warm, very light breeze.
Conditions were really good. tracks were dry and hard packed. only problems were under the trees in places it was still pretty water logged and boggy.
Was pretty tough, left Winchester at 0915 and got back to Shoreham at 2000. Endomondo tracked it at 65 miles. Ate lots and drank lots. definately needed to do that.
Route was well sign posted and easy to follow. Didnt have any breakdowns/punctures except one guys who's rear hanger snapped after a fall and then made his way to Petersfield running single speed.
just gotta do the last bit to Eastbourne at somepoint now.
tough, but well pleased I managed it.
good luck with your attempt

Cipollini

Cheers for the info guys, For anyone that is interested someone at work gave me a leaflet on this

http://www.bhf.org.uk/get-involved/even ... ps=1000989

GhallTN6

I'm doing this in a couple of weeks time, depending on weather, starting from Winchester at about 0230 for the full SDW.

My biggest decision is bike choice, Do I go with my Whyte 19 Steel Hardtail, or go with my Yeti 575, both actually weight the same and I'll be using Maxxis Aspen 2.25 tyres whatever bike I go for.

I know the Hardtail is more efficient, but knowing I won't have to stand on the descents may make a big difference towards the end..

Anyone had a similar predicament!

cheers

Twelly

Hardtail for efficiency gets my vote. Your arse will hurt with either bike. Make sure you wear some good padded shorts.

richvass

A friend and I are planning to ride the South Downs Way. My friend has signed up for the BHF ride on 21 July and I'm tagging along. Our plan is to carry lightweight sleeping bag and bivi bag on a rack. Our thinking is we are not time bound so if we find we're not gonna make our train home at least we have the means to crash out. It might not suit everyone's taste but it'll do for us. Should be a good day. One of those rides that need to be done!

GhallTN6

Full Sus has it for me, for several reasons:

Carbon handlebar to help reduce any trail buzz
Tubeless wheels/xc race tyres
Better seat
just under 27lb

Pumping the tyres to 40psi, 10% sag on the fox RP23 (while the pro pedal is off), so will be very firm uphill but still able to sit down when going down hill.

Cipollini

We did it, No record setting pace. around the 12hour mark( riding time anyway) But over two days. Took a sleeping bag and slept rough. Was a good weekend. We all road Hard tails. and yes good shorts are needed. Mine were far from Good enough.

bartimaeus

Good on you... how was Day 2 after sleeping rough?

njee20

Mmmm, I had it tentatively mentally pencilled in for Saturday, but with this week's rain I'm not that sure I can be arsed, frankly!

Cipollini

Bartimaeus wrote:

Good on you... how was Day 2 after sleeping rough?

Hard, Very hard. Not due to the lack of sleep or heavy legs but the pure amount of bumpy hours spent in the saddle on day one meant really bad saddle soar. Could hardly sit down