South Downs Way in a day!

[Daveyraveygravey]

I did the whole thing yesterday, 95+ miles (we all had different distances showing on various contraptions, 95, 99.8 and 102!) and it was extremely hard work. A couple of the guys had heart rate monitors and were trying to limit themselves to 75% all day, and without them I would have been in a right mess.
We had a bit of a following wind, the sun was pretty hot, and of course the ground was very dry and dusty. It was for charity and brilliantly organised, I made it in 13.5 hrs, I think the fastest was 12 hrs 40.
Most of the nasty hills are near the end, so although it is good to get 60% of it out the way without any major climbs, the last 4 are all in the last 30 miles or so. The second to last, Alfriston, killed me. Had to stop and rest half way up, but I didn't walk it!

[936ADL]

Chapeau!

the sdw is on my list of things to do, just can't seem to find the time.

[Nick_F]

Likewise - fantastic, well done.

[Gingerbread Man]

I've done the South Downs Way twice in my life. Once last year, but the first time when I was 12.

Always done it over 3 days which makes it an easy ride and both times it's been Eastbourne to Winchester which is the uphill route I believe!

Eastbourne - Trulie Hill
Trulie Hill - Butser Hill
Butser Hill - Winchester.

I do fancy doing it in a day though, just never get any cycling practice in these days. Well done through, it's a great ride.

[dilbert]

The venture scouts do it on foot, I think they call it the Downsman.
It's like a race. You have to average something like 6mph. Too much for me that was. Not enough water, especially mid summer.

Congrats. There's some hills up there!

Edited by dilbert on Sunday 4th July 23:17

[mhill]

Well done!!

I done the Maxx Exposure night endro a few years ago, done around 3/4 when my rear mech hit something and went into the spokes.

Might go back and do it again this year or a more sensible trip over a few days, di you do this unsupported?

[Daveyraveygravey]

No, we had a great support team, wives and families mainly, but they had done it before so knew what would be needed.

My bike is a Specialised hard Rock, so no rear suspension. Saturday was the first time I really felt I needed it round here, buckled the back wheel quite badly about 30 miles in and was worried it might not last the day.

Not sure about it being the downhill route! And if they run it again next year, I'll post a link here, assuming they won't be overwhelmed by numbers.

[angusc43]

Well done!! I once did that in two days on Trek with panniers (as we had an overnight stop). Nearly killed me.....the uphills were brutal with a heavily loaded bike, the downhills treacherous with all the flints and as for lifting the bike over what felt like 1000 stiles.....

Edited by angusc43 on Monday 5th July 10:47

[Black Sport 160]

Its harder heading West.

More sun in your eyes and you're into the prevailing wind.

Fantastic achievement to complete it in one day!

[anonymous-user]

Brilliant, well done to all, 100 miles on the road on a road bike is bad enough in one day, but the whole SDW that is a fantastic achievement!

Oh and on doing it East to West, my neighbour who has done it both ways a number of times said it is significantly harder, you'd have to be a complete lunatic to attempt that in one day.

Edited by anonymous-user on Monday 5th July 11:18

[Dunk76]

My mate is insistent that I do the SDW with him - I've resisted as my neither me or my bike are up to it at the moment.

He was blathering on the other night about how the super-lunatics do both ways in 24hrs?!?

[W66OCH]

Daveyraveygravey said:

I did the whole thing yesterday, 95+ miles (we all had different distances showing on various contraptions, 95, 99.8 and 102!) and it was extremely hard work. A couple of the guys had heart rate monitors and were trying to limit themselves to 75% all day, and without them I would have been in a right mess.
We had a bit of a following wind, the sun was pretty hot, and of course the ground was very dry and dusty. It was for charity and brilliantly organised, I made it in 13.5 hrs, I think the fastest was 12 hrs 40.
Most of the nasty hills are near the end, so although it is good to get 60% of it out the way without any major climbs, the last 4 are all in the last 30 miles or so. The second to last, Alfriston, killed me. Had to stop and rest half way up, but I didn't walk it!

Great effort and great timing too, I want to do this myself but havn't got round to deciding whether to do it over one day or two so I think you have made my mind up.... just need some planning on how to get to beachy head for an early start

I've run some parts of the SDW, so I know what you mean about the hills!!!

[john_p]

That's an awesome achievement, well done!

[Daveyraveygravey]

W66OCH said:

Great effort and great timing too, I want to do this myself but havn't got round to deciding whether to do it over one day or two so I think you have made my mind up.... just need some planning on how to get to beachy head for an early start

I've run some parts of the SDW, so I know what you mean about the hills!!!

One of the attractions of it for me was the entry fee of £50 covered transport of the bike to Winchester and back from Eastbourne, same for the people, and all the energy bars/bananas/pasta dishes/water/energy drinks you could stuff down you. An absolute bargain!

[W66OCH]

Daveyraveygravey said:

W66OCH said:

Great effort and great timing too, I want to do this myself but havn't got round to deciding whether to do it over one day or two so I think you have made my mind up.... just need some planning on how to get to beachy head for an early start

I've run some parts of the SDW, so I know what you mean about the hills!!!

One of the attractions of it for me was the entry fee of £50 covered transport of the bike to Winchester and back from Eastbourne, same for the people, and all the energy bars/bananas/pasta dishes/water/energy drinks you could stuff down you. An absolute bargain!

Jammy git

[Yaff]

Congratulations on your ride, fantastic achievement.

Six years ago did it with my riding buddy in two day (Winchester to Eastbourne), but after picking up an injury after only 10 miles, it took us 14 hours of riding and 17 hours all in to complete. When I started taking pain killers at under the 20 mile mark, know it was going to be a painful.

Last your did the ride solo and did it in 12 hours riding, 14 hours in total. Fantastic ride.

To top it off, my riding buddy and I will be completing it in a day, starting from Eastbourne at 6am this Sunday. Not as fit as I would like and carrying some extra weight, but confident we can complete it in daylight. If no issues, should make Winchester for 8PM.

Edited by Yaff on Tuesday 13th July 16:37

Edited by Yaff on Wednesday 14th July 22:12