South Downs Way - PH Work Dodgers' Ride: 11th & 12th August
Discussion
Celtic Dragon and I are planning an MTB ride of the SDW, from Winchester to Eastbourne, over the 11th and 12th of August. We'll be stopping the night at a B&B/campsite half way, and refuelling in the village pub.
It's an idea unashamedly stolen from richard-"Mr SDW"-xjr (and it's looking hopeful that he'll be able to ride at least some of it with us). Here's the gpx of his most recent ride along it http://ridewithgps.com/trips/5917804 . There were 7 of them with a mix of abilities that time, so comparable to what we might do it in. Perhaps.
If any other PHers would like to join us they'd be very welcome...
It's an idea unashamedly stolen from richard-"Mr SDW"-xjr (and it's looking hopeful that he'll be able to ride at least some of it with us). Here's the gpx of his most recent ride along it http://ridewithgps.com/trips/5917804 . There were 7 of them with a mix of abilities that time, so comparable to what we might do it in. Perhaps.
If any other PHers would like to join us they'd be very welcome...
'Mr SDW' lol, well I do live at one end of it I suppose.
It's a good fun 2 day ride suitable for anything with 33mm tyres up really. Crosser, hybrid, mtb, gears, SS, it's all good. Whilst not technically difficult, it certainly is a challenging ride. 100m and 3200vm off road.
Recovery beers will be arranged at the end
Train from Eastbourne to Victoria is about 90mins.
It's a good fun 2 day ride suitable for anything with 33mm tyres up really. Crosser, hybrid, mtb, gears, SS, it's all good. Whilst not technically difficult, it certainly is a challenging ride. 100m and 3200vm off road.
Recovery beers will be arranged at the end
Train from Eastbourne to Victoria is about 90mins.richardxjr said:
'Mr SDW' lol, well I do live at one end of it I suppose.
It's a good fun 2 day ride suitable for anything with 33mm tyres up really. Crosser, hybrid, mtb, gears, SS, it's all good. Whilst not technically difficult, it certainly is a challenging ride. 100m and 3200vm off road.
Recovery beers will be arranged at the end Train from Eastbourne to Victoria is about 90mins.
I just loaded your gpx into MemoryMap and saw it has all the water taps marked. Brilliant! It's a good fun 2 day ride suitable for anything with 33mm tyres up really. Crosser, hybrid, mtb, gears, SS, it's all good. Whilst not technically difficult, it certainly is a challenging ride. 100m and 3200vm off road.
Recovery beers will be arranged at the end
Train from Eastbourne to Victoria is about 90mins.
Foxleigh tents was the original plan but we've actually gone for Woodybanks B&B a bit further up the road. It just worked out cheaper.
By staying elsewhere though we're going to miss out on being able to buy those packed lunches from Foxleigh, but I've noticed we pass very close to the Plough in Pyecombe (at 30km) and The Abergavenny Arms in Rodmell (at 50km). If Celtic is agreeable to a pub lunch I was going to suggest stopping at one of those instead.
Excellent that you'll be riding out to meet us. I guess we'll be leaving Amberley about 9am too, but I expect you'll be covering ground faster than us so you'll get to go further than halfway before we bump into each other. I'll mail you a link through which you can track me if you'll have a signal.
By staying elsewhere though we're going to miss out on being able to buy those packed lunches from Foxleigh, but I've noticed we pass very close to the Plough in Pyecombe (at 30km) and The Abergavenny Arms in Rodmell (at 50km). If Celtic is agreeable to a pub lunch I was going to suggest stopping at one of those instead.
Excellent that you'll be riding out to meet us. I guess we'll be leaving Amberley about 9am too, but I expect you'll be covering ground faster than us so you'll get to go further than halfway before we bump into each other. I'll mail you a link through which you can track me if you'll have a signal.
richardxjr said:
Enjoy riding Amberley Mount first thing on a big breakfast, it's a beaut!
Big breakfast? I'm only planning to have porridge. Followed by a full English, toast, butter and jam.
I think the granny ring may get quite a bit of use this trip. Hopefully we'll make it up Amberley Mount before we meet you coming the other way...
I'm sure you guys have seen this, but for any interested, this is the definitive website for riding the SDW
www.bikedowns.co.uk
www.bikedowns.co.uk
richardxjr said:
I'm sure you guys have seen this, but for any interested, this is the definitive website for riding the SDW
www.bikedowns.co.uk
I hadn't actually. That's going to keep my quiet for a while! www.bikedowns.co.uk
SixPotBelly said:
Johnny said:
That sounds great.
I'm working
Sorry, went for midweek thinking there'll be fewer walkers on it. Not that I imagine it's ever busy, as such. Could certainly think about repeating it over a weekend if there's interest...I'm working
Next time!
Pondering tyre choice...
I was hoping it would stay dry for this. Hardpack, dry chalk, dry grass and tarmac made my confident I could use my summer Herts bridleways semi-slicks (Schwalbe CXPro Comp 26 x 2.1).
Forecast is now looking less kind. Yesterday the Met Office was predicting thunderstorms and heavy rain, but thankfully that has now lessened significantly to cloudy with an off-chance of showers. I've no experience of riding on wet chalk but I imagine chalk it must be like ice. With that in mind, I'm wondering if I shouldn't use my 'more knobblies' instead (WTB Weirwolf 26 x 2.1).
Weirwolf left, CXPro Comp right.
Just how bad is it when it's wet?
I was hoping it would stay dry for this. Hardpack, dry chalk, dry grass and tarmac made my confident I could use my summer Herts bridleways semi-slicks (Schwalbe CX
Forecast is now looking less kind. Yesterday the Met Office was predicting thunderstorms and heavy rain, but thankfully that has now lessened significantly to cloudy with an off-chance of showers. I've no experience of riding on wet chalk but I imagine chalk it must be like ice. With that in mind, I'm wondering if I shouldn't use my 'more knobblies' instead (WTB Weirwolf 26 x 2.1).
Weirwolf left, CX
Just how bad is it when it's wet?
Edited by SixPotBelly on Sunday 9th August 21:07
Tuesday and Wednesday looking good. Effing dry and dusty up there at the mo, just had a beautiful ride Steyning - Amberley - Burpham and back today, pics below. I have to work sadly, but may ride Tue/Wed so will look out for you Tuesday night. If you want a proper pub on Tuesday head to the Norfolk Arms in Steyning, if you want expensive fizzy lager and (admittedly) quite a nice location, Whites is ok...
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1015359075...
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1015359075...
Daveyraveygravey said:
Tuesday and Wednesday looking good. Effing dry and dusty up there at the mo, just had a beautiful ride Steyning - Amberley - Burpham and back today, pics below. I have to work sadly, but may ride Tue/Wed so will look out for you Tuesday night. If you want a proper pub on Tuesday head to the Norfolk Arms in Steyning, if you want expensive fizzy lager and (admittedly) quite a nice location, Whites is ok...
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1015359075...
Cheers Davey!https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1015359075...
Looks perfect at the moment from your pics, and the forecast is much better than it was yesterday. We're stopping the night in Amberley, so if you find you're nearby come join us for a pint!
I'll send you a tracking link in case you are out riding when we are. Then you can choose whether to intercept or avoid us!
Just how bad is it when it's wet?
Celtic Dragon
1,505 posts
131 months
.....I've done the Trip a couple of times starting both ends, and on both times meet up with some lets say "inclement weather"!
Trust me freshly wet Chalk is a Bloody Nightmare!
On one occasion I slid on my arse at 20mph! no warning...just like hitting sheet ice, my mate who was behind me just touched his brakes ended up in a crumpled heap next to me just seconds later his bike joined us!....would have made a great GoPro (go on be a hero) Action shot!
Celtic Dragon
1,505 posts
131 months
.....I've done the Trip a couple of times starting both ends, and on both times meet up with some lets say "inclement weather"!
Trust me freshly wet Chalk is a Bloody Nightmare!
On one occasion I slid on my arse at 20mph! no warning...just like hitting sheet ice, my mate who was behind me just touched his brakes ended up in a crumpled heap next to me just seconds later his bike joined us!....would have made a great GoPro (go on be a hero) Action shot!
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