South Downs Way

ant55y

Hi, I have just compiled a website about cycling on the South Downs Way; I have included notes on terrain, surface, hazards, photos (some annotated), maps of eg water taps and other things of interest.
Hope that you will find useful.[url][/url]www.bikedowns.co.uk


Anthony

southdownsslogger

Great idea, the water tap stuff is ideal. You havent got anything on the section from Devils Dyke to Eastbourne, which is my local patch. I can help you out if you want to include this bit

Unknown

Anthony, that's a really good site. I regularly cycle around the South Downs, both on it and along the various tracks and bridleways around it.

This will be really useful.

Mike.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/58583241@N00/

ant55y

Hi Southdownslsogger ! yes it would be great if you could send me anything about D.Dyke to Eastbourne. I want to ride that section this year somehow, perhaps train to Eastbourne then ride back home as far as possible before ringing for a lift ! I have no idea what it is like, how many long climbs? terrain ? grass? flint ?
Thanks Anthony

southdownsslogger

yeah no probs. Id split the route into Devils Dyke - Southease, and Southease-Eastbourne. Ive ridden the latter many times, although ive only ridden the devils dyke - southease section once. Ill email you a description of the route and see what you think

ant55y

Yes, that would be great, Thanks
Anthony

loopylou

hey, the website is really useful but do u have any routes east of brighton towards eastborne,
im thinking of cycling up devils dyke, has any one done this before?

ant55y

Hi, glad that you like my website. aim to ride Esatbourne to D Dyke in June; train to Eastbrne, YHA D Dyke (40 miles), then back on SDW to home , another 40; i live 2 miles from SDW. so time for more photos etc Anthony

super_g

Does anyone have or know where to get the entire SDW as a gpx or mmo fiel for import into memory map?

ant55y

I have added some profiles to my website www.bikedowns.co.uk
Two sections at moment, I have created for rest of SDw but just need time to annotate, format etc. Please contact with comments, useful? more detail specific areas ? etc
thanks
Anthony

ant55y

Forgot to say that I have added note of total climb, desend, with notes on hill etc; I have used Tracklogs

Samtheman1k

One thing that would be good would be to have some rides that can be done in a day, i.e. circular rides.

________________________
If you don't enjoy what you do, then do something else.

ant55y

Yes, I was thinking about adding circular rides based on SDW; I have some in mind, so will add post when done !

ant55y

I have just (April 12) added some photos between *****ing and Bignor, both westwards & eastwards.

southdownsslogger

Devils dyke is a good area for mtbing, theres some good descents from the car park at the top (theres a pub up there as well!). The descents run along the dyke into Poynings, so what goes down must go up!

Ant55y:
Ill write that section for ya Devils Dyke to Eastbourne so you can complete the trail.

Unknown

Great site. The Trailwalker event would probably find it useful.http://www.army.mod.uk/royalsignals/qgs ... alker.html
They run from QECP to Brighton. The ols SDW run used to go from QECP to Eastbourne! Did it twice and trailwalker once but now stick to cycling.
The photos are particularly useful.

Jon Steed - the not so New Avenger


My Bike and stuff
The Bearpit
My Vid
www.moredirt.co.uk

Unknown

is there anything out there for the north downs? have got the feature from MBR but am having pros getting an more info

http://www.myspace.com/wadsy76

ant55y

Sorry but I am not familiar with any rides on North Downs. I have just updated my site again with annotated elevation profiles of whole of SDW divided into 3 views of 30 miles each. Als overall map location of water taps.

ant55y

Short note that route of SDW has been changed slightly. At A32 Warnford (between Winchester & QEP), new finger posts diverting away from A32, then cross directly over, rather than along A32. Think probably should be a safer crossing. Only adds approx 200 yards ! I have updated my website www.bikedowns.co.uk [url][/url]www.bikedowns.co.uk

ant55y

Just to update my website www.bikedowns.co.uk , I have added a summary of where the tarmac and grass stretches are located, see my 'section' page.
I have also added a new page, aerial photo' with link to aerial photo that I have cretaed on www.local.live.com

DSA244

Herod there is not a great deal on the North Downs, don't ask me why, I think maily because so many of the routes are man made trails through the woods and therefore priniting routes is not the easiest.

In my opinion I prefer the North Downs as there is more variety and so many hidden singletracks that weave through the trees. If you've never been try the holmbury Hill/pitch Hill/Leith Hill area and park in Peaslake. Half the fun here is exploring as there are literally loads of tracks.

Devilspunch bowl is supposed to be good also but I haven't tried it there yet.

forlornhope

i think a lot of the problem with the north downs is the lack of bridleway,most of it is footpath.

http://www.pinkbike.com/photo/?op=list& ... rid=169596

buddha

My tip for riding on the North Downs Way - footpaths etc ;-)
Ride it on a weekday, just after lunchtime.
All the ramblers/silver surfers are at home watching neighbours!

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ant55y

Update of my website www.bikedowns.co.uk : added location (map & photo) of <b>water t</b>ap at Southease. Note that SDW now diverted over new bridge over A26, so misses tap unless you go on to Itford Farm.
Also noted which <b>car parks </b>are free or pay, as visited Ditchling Beacon, and did not realise had to pay; a very kind person gave me œ1.
Taken photos from Ditchling to Southease, so need to edit etc and write up notes. hope to put on website soon.
Now have 4 circular rides.

ejls2

Could I ask a quick equipment question to those of you who know the south downs way well.

I'm hoping to take part in the BHF randonee in a couple of weeks time and am looking for some tire advice. I'm currently running Panaracer Fire XC Pro tyres but I have no idea how these will suit the flinty path. Can anyone recommend some fast, durable tyres for summer riding on the way?

Many thanks (especially to ant55y for his website! ),

Ed

scott mcavennie

I'm doing the same challenge and running the same tyres and was just going to ask what pressures people would recommend?

Malt 4

Orange P7 - current rebuild

Deliverance

Marky Mark.

Your tyres will be fine on the SDW as I've done it before on the very same tyres. Pressure is a difficult one though as it depends on weight really. On a hard tail you'll really feel beaten up by the end so as low as possible would be best. I think I was running 35psi in my pre-tubless days but can't quite remember I'm afraid.

The Family

scott mcavennie

Really? I was thinking of upping the pressures, thinking the route might be more 'roadlike' to the singletrack I usually ride.



Malt 4

Orange P7 - current rebuild

Deliverance

Marky Mark.

Depends on what you want a little more speed or a bit of comfort. Tis up to you but I know I suffered on my hardtail towards the end and afterwards.



The Family

ejls2

Excellent, thanks for the advice. I need all the help I can get with speed so I may run them a bit harder as well!

Cheers,

Ed

ant55y

Scott, SDW has only 9 miles tarmac in 65 miles from Winchester to Brighton, and little after that. see my website www.bikedowns.co.uk listed tarmac in gen info page.
just added photos Cheesefoot Head and around Amberley.
ejls2 glad site useful.