South Downs Way
Discussion
I'm toying with doing the SDW in the next few weeks before the weather gets rubbish. I hope to get the train to Brighton and then ride back to Southampton using the following route http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/483552360
Does anybody know if my route from the train station in Brighton to start the SDW is the best, or would I be better keep left out of Brighton and join near Poynings? I will be on a cross bike if that makes a difference.
Does anybody know if my route from the train station in Brighton to start the SDW is the best, or would I be better keep left out of Brighton and join near Poynings? I will be on a cross bike if that makes a difference.
Edited by S10GTA on Friday 25th July 13:16
How much of it do you want to do?
You're almost doing the whole lot, so why not avoid dicking around with Southampton and Brighton and just do Winchester to Eastbourne, train back to Soton?
I've done it twice FWIW. If you want to do half of it then Amberley's a good break point, also has a station.
From the west is normally easier than from the east. Plus you can get to and start from Winchester by train at about 5.30am.
You're almost doing the whole lot, so why not avoid dicking around with Southampton and Brighton and just do Winchester to Eastbourne, train back to Soton?
I've done it twice FWIW. If you want to do half of it then Amberley's a good break point, also has a station.
From the west is normally easier than from the east. Plus you can get to and start from Winchester by train at about 5.30am.
Edited by trashbat on Friday 25th July 14:04
S10GTA said:
That's the idea 
Do it properly then! There's only one route.http://hazeii.net/sdw/
I completed it twice, both in about 15 hours total (slow!) and on a third occasion managed Winchester to Lewes in the rain before giving up. Top tip: find out where the taps are.
A friend and I are riding the whole thing next weekend, we've found this website useful for tap locations and timings etc
www.southdownsdouble.net
If you are planning on doing the whole thing then i wouldnt bother starting in Brighton or Southhampton. Winchester and Eastbourne have stations and are much more obvious kicking off points IMO
www.southdownsdouble.net
If you are planning on doing the whole thing then i wouldnt bother starting in Brighton or Southhampton. Winchester and Eastbourne have stations and are much more obvious kicking off points IMO
I'm in Eastbourne, have done the whole ride twice now. Wind looking favourable for W to E on Sat 
Trail conditions are perfect.
All the juicy bits are this end. Ditchling's got nothing on the 250m vertical that is Southease to Firle Beacon. Itford Hill's the first bit, then carry on upwards a bit more. Then *just* two more climbs and in an hour and a bit you're on the beach
Trail conditions are perfect.All the juicy bits are this end. Ditchling's got nothing on the 250m vertical that is Southease to Firle Beacon. Itford Hill's the first bit, then carry on upwards a bit more. Then *just* two more climbs and in an hour and a bit you're on the beach
trashbat said:
why not avoid dicking around with Southampton and Brighton and just do Winchester to Eastbourne, train back to Soton?
I've done it twice FWIW. If you want to do half of it then Amberley's a good break point, also has a station.
Having researched a little more it looks like the whole thing could be a bit optimistic for a first go. I can happily sit for 100 miles on the road in about 6/7 hours but this looks like a different proposition. Starting from Amberley would shorten it quite a bit, then I could still ride home afterwards. I live near Southampton so would like to get the train from there I think.I've done it twice FWIW. If you want to do half of it then Amberley's a good break point, also has a station.
If it turns out you can comfortably do Winchester/Amberley then on the next attempt I reckon you could do the lot. Certainly I used to find that 70 miles of flattish trail riding was adequate prep for doing the whole thing, albeit slowly.
It's the hills wot kills, plus the heat if it's like recent days, or the rain & chalk combination if it's too wet.
It's the hills wot kills, plus the heat if it's like recent days, or the rain & chalk combination if it's too wet.
So this is the second version, from the midway point. I'd get the train to Ford (which is only an hour) then ride up from there. Getting to Amberley involves a change and an extra 45 mins.
http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/483657152
This route takes me to the centre of Winchester, but I can always cut off at the end of Wheeley Down if I am ruined.
http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/483657152
This route takes me to the centre of Winchester, but I can always cut off at the end of Wheeley Down if I am ruined.
Did it myself about 3 years ago west to east. 13.5 hrs riding
10,000 feet of climbing. It isn't an easy ride! Ford to Amberley is dead flat but the climb east out of Amberley is pretty tough. Once up there the next biggie is up from Washington then there's Truleigh/ Mill Hill which doesn't look much from the road but is another toughie. A few ups and downs to Devils Dyke (pub on the top - one of the few close to the route) and there's another b
d after Saddlescombe. The second to last of the ten climbs was the one that nearly broke me I think after Alfriston.
10,000 feet of climbing. It isn't an easy ride! Ford to Amberley is dead flat but the climb east out of Amberley is pretty tough. Once up there the next biggie is up from Washington then there's Truleigh/ Mill Hill which doesn't look much from the road but is another toughie. A few ups and downs to Devils Dyke (pub on the top - one of the few close to the route) and there's another b
d after Saddlescombe. The second to last of the ten climbs was the one that nearly broke me I think after Alfriston. Gassing Station | Pedal Powered | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff