Cycling The South Downs Way
Discussion
If it were me I'd just get the applicable Ordnance Survey orange "explorer" (1:25,000) ones that cover the route, you can get the explorer versions in "active" mode a plastic type paper if you don't have or want a map cover, if you want to find things to stop at on the way then do some research on your route via google maps or other mapping website. Don't bother with OS select where you can get a custom plot of data as it costs more and the print quality is significantly inferior to the standard paper series.
The Explorer maps are 3 for 2 on the OS website at the moment. Normal Explorer is one 7.99 plastic one 13.99.
Looking at the back of my New Forest one it looks like you'll need about 5 or 6 @ 1:25,000, you could get the pink 1:50,000 (landrangers) if you don't want or need the scale they're £6.99 a pop.
The Explorer maps are 3 for 2 on the OS website at the moment. Normal Explorer is one 7.99 plastic one 13.99.
Looking at the back of my New Forest one it looks like you'll need about 5 or 6 @ 1:25,000, you could get the pink 1:50,000 (landrangers) if you don't want or need the scale they're £6.99 a pop.
I'm going the other way in a couple of weeks, hoping to do it in one day if the legs will co-operate! I live in Steyning and there are a few pubs & B&B's there. There isn't much in Amberley, nice pub by the station but they don't do accomadation as far as I can tell. The Harveys and cheesy chips were excellent the other week!
Arundel isn't far from Amberley and you might be able to get there along the river rather than up and over the top, and you've got Pulborough in the other direction.
Arundel isn't far from Amberley and you might be able to get there along the river rather than up and over the top, and you've got Pulborough in the other direction.
Edited by Daveyraveygravey on Tuesday 15th June 12:16
This might help, has a list of places to stay on, or close to the trail;
http://www.nationaltrail.co.uk/southdowns/
http://www.nationaltrail.co.uk/southdowns/
Just looked at the map and it says Amberley is bang on 50 miles from Eastbourne. If you stay on the South Downs Way after Amberley it looks like you get quite a way from civilisation.
I am sure I saw some tents near the river in Amberley last time I was there, so that might be an option.
I am sure I saw some tents near the river in Amberley last time I was there, so that might be an option.
Done this a couple of years ago with some guys who have been doing the route for 10+ years. Great ride, Started out at Eastbourne after getting the train at silly o clock, road to Washington on the first day then rode the rest of the way back to Fareham along SDW and along the old abandoned railway for the last bit, very tiring as I had very little practise but a great experience, will be going again in September with some luck.
It goes from Winchester to Eastbourne. About 100 or so miles most of it is off road.
Harveys maps do a route map of it thats pretty good. Doing it over two days is very hard. Tried and failed afraid to say.
Make sure your bike is in good nick to as the downhills can be hard on your bike if you like canning it at fulltilt downhill.
anything else you want to know ask.
Harveys maps do a route map of it thats pretty good. Doing it over two days is very hard. Tried and failed afraid to say.
Make sure your bike is in good nick to as the downhills can be hard on your bike if you like canning it at fulltilt downhill.
anything else you want to know ask.
I did it a couple of years ago in one day (13 hrs), from Winchester to Eastbourne - this is recommended as its not against the prevailing wind.
There is a quite useful website that covers the route by section: http://www.bikedowns.co.uk/index.htm
Ordnance Survey maps have the route clearly marked, and it's fairly obvious where yuo should be going most of the time, but there are other times when it's not so clear. You will probably need a couple of maps to cover the full route. Might be worth investing in a bike Sat Nav or GPS so you have your location as a grid reference and can compare it to where you are on the map, or import the route into the Sat Nav.
Good luck! Even over two days it will be a long way, if you get good weather it should be a hard, but fun challenge. My distinct memory is the climbs, some of which were very slow and painful...
There is a quite useful website that covers the route by section: http://www.bikedowns.co.uk/index.htm
Ordnance Survey maps have the route clearly marked, and it's fairly obvious where yuo should be going most of the time, but there are other times when it's not so clear. You will probably need a couple of maps to cover the full route. Might be worth investing in a bike Sat Nav or GPS so you have your location as a grid reference and can compare it to where you are on the map, or import the route into the Sat Nav.
Good luck! Even over two days it will be a long way, if you get good weather it should be a hard, but fun challenge. My distinct memory is the climbs, some of which were very slow and painful...
paddy27 said:
Make sure your bike is in good nick to as the downhills can be hard on your bike if you like canning it at fulltilt downhill.
Yeah, I live near the South Downs, and until I did the actual ride, I thought my Hard Rock was all the bike I needed. Some of the downhills are monsters, it's the huge loose rocks that do it.Gassing Station | Pedal Powered | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff