[Closed] Doing the SDW tomorrow...need last minute information.

10-14 hours seems to be a reasonable range to expect. Too many variables really.

If you regularly ride this sort of terrain and distance then you can probably narrow it down further..

I'd try and start *really* early if only to get some mile sin before the heat builds up to much.

I know it's stating the obvious but leave as early as you possibly can and allow time for navigational errors - that's what undid my assault on the SDW.

I had to bail out at Lewes because I was worried about missing the last train back to Southampton - so that's always an option.

I have the recommended map for the SDW but yes navigation is a bit troublesome at times by the sounds of things.

My fitness is a bit odd at the minute. I would say I am at my fittest lately and also mentally understand when to back off a lot better. 2 weeks ago I spent a week mtbing in the Yorkshrie Mooors and the week before that I spent 4 days in france clocking 70 miles a day on the road bike with many cat 4 climbs. Unfortunately the week I got back from yorkshire I got horrendously ill with Man Flu and so have only commuted to work twice in the last two weeks and done no other cycling. Tapering done wrong me thinks :/.

FWIW

5/6/4 - 9:25 speedo, 12ish elapsed - rode with a group Win - Ebo
12/8/6 9:10 speedo, 12:30 elapsed - rode with a group Win - Ebo
21/6/8 9:45 speedo, 12ish elapsed - rode with a group Win - Ebo
24/7/9 11:15 speedo, 12:36 elapsed - solo at night Ebo - Winc
15/8/9 10:47 elapsed - solo at night Ebo - Winc
13/8/11 9:40 speed, 12:20 elapsed - rode with a group Winc - Ebo

Roughly talking an average 10mph but that nose dives [i]very[/i] quickly as soon as you stop. My Aug 09 trip is the fastest I've ever done it and was part of my failed double attempt.

Speed merchants can easily do the whole lot in sub 10 hours and I think folk have done it in under 8!

LMK if you want gps tracks

Hardly any wind tomorrow, 1 mph headwind, high of 24, make sure you know where those water stops are. Have fun

Great info m1kea. Thanks.

Take your time at the points you are unsure nav wise, a 'oh i'll try this way' could cost dear.

If it is hot then be aware the first tap is some 35 miles in so i'd leave as early as possible to reach the first tap in good nick.... they do some lovely ice creams in the farm shop opposite too!

Enjoy

There is a tap at the QECP visitor centre, if you ask nicely.

I'm doing the same on Saturday. Fingers crossed for both of us that the showers are light!

Anyone know how well the Winchester end is drying out?

Oh, and what pub to stop at to watch the finish of the ORR? 🙂

Here's my track from last Aug - http://connect.garmin.com/activity/106311084

That includes the 'new' way round old Winchester hill but not the revised final mile or so into Ebo.

There are a surprising number of places you can go wrong (I know from experience) and I've mucked up some navigation in fog, even with a GPS cookie trail.

Amberley is near as damn it half way so if you're on a good one, you should get there in 5 hours or so.

Did this recently, you also have to contend with over 100 gates that slow you down. My advice if you want to make that train is not to stop for any breaks except for the taps, and hold some energy in reserve for the last hills into Eastbourne. But enjoy, it really is a fabulous route, so lift your nose up from the stem and look around as you pass through!

I'm looking at do this to in the near future and was thinking I might catch the last train into Winchester and then ride through the night. Should only be 6 hours or so of total darkness and then I could reach Eastbourne in plenty of time for a train. Maybe you want to consider starting later and riding through the night, when it's cooler.

My wife and I did the route in late may over three days and averaged 8.5mph. For most mear mortals I think 8.5 to 10 mph over the 100 is realistic.

I would do it at night but A) I would cack my pants and B) I dont know the route well enough. perhaps in future though.

Still want to do this. Will probably head up there and do a bit on Saturday. Hopefully tomorrows rain won't be enough to worsen the trails. Best of luck with it

yesiamtom - Member

I would do it at night but A) I would cack my pants and B) I dont know the route well enough. perhaps in future though.

Riding it at night is brilliant and I'd thoroughly recommend it.

However I fully agree with the pants soiling comment; I had my music up quite loud for a lot of the woods as I know there's animals in there but I don't want to hear them!

I did a wee write up for Anthony at [url= http://www.bikedowns.co.uk/sdw_double_and_night_riding.htm ]Bike Downs[/url] and here's some more [url= http://egcc.net/display-items.php?intItemID=501 ]wafflege[/url]

just done it today. the old winchester hill bit has dried up nicely now (it was frickin sticky & horrible last week). sooo hot but plenty of water stops especially if you include houses 😉 (i managed with just 1 x 750ml bottle

average riding speed of 10mph is a good guestimate or 8 overall.

not the most amazing of routes, but a good challenge & great views.

enjoy.

Last Train back Via Clapham is 10.15pm , arriving 0135. Even if you go at 0800 you should make that.
Going on your own is abit tish ,the problem is no one to look after your bike if you go into a shop for food at the end.
Take bum cream , a few sheets of loo roll just in case , cashews , gels, soreen , fig rolls, bananas .
Stop for 3 mins every hour , and scoff as much as you can .
There is a tap you will fly past on a fast tarmac decent to the A24 at Washington. Dont be afraid to push the bigger climbs, and when you do stuff as much food in as you go . Then as it flattens out jump on and go.

Dont go hard from the start , dont miss the 90' right turn at Blackcap ( Brighton ) or the left through the gate 400 yrds down from there.

9mph rolling will get you there in a very creditable time.

'ray! 12:57 total, 10:43 moving.

Absolutely brilliant day, couldn't have asked for better weather. bar about 30m absolute tops over the whole route, it's dry all the way.

12:57 total, 10:43 moving.

Bad start though, I was woken up by Jim calling me from Waterloo 6:20. "I'm by platform 10, where are you?" Erm...

Started at Winchester Station at just after half 8, didn't hang about to find ourselves at Amberley after 5h10, after a few minutes' scoff stops. Decided to chill out a bit, and enjoy the day as time wasn't an issue.

I was very glad to still be out in the evening. The light as amazing, and it was just us and the rabbits. Climbing out of Alfriston after that long right hand turn, chalk orange from the sun setting by Firle Beacon, half moon in front of us in a deep blue sky...

Went a bit off track in the woods on the new bit. Couldn't see 'owt!

Got to the station to be told that there was a blanket ban on bikes on trains into London during the Olympics. Not what you want to hear at that point! Got on anyway, no probs from guard. Did NOT enjoy the 7.5 mile ride home!

What's the best map to get for the whole route? Thinking of having a bash in the next few weeks.

What's the best map to get for the whole route? Thinking of having a bash in the next few weeks.

[url= http://www.harveymaps.co.uk/acatalog/South_Downs_Way.html ]This one[/url]

There's a Harvey maps one which has all the sections on one sheet, with water taps etc marked, but I don't know whether it's got the latest route amendments on it. you could always buy it and amend it yourself.

I used a GPS thinger for the first time yesterday (the £73 Garmin Edge 200) and it was great to have. Little line of the track ahead (no map shown, but you see e.g. the trail bears left, sharp right coming up) And an alert chirrup if you go off course - even by 10m for a sit down.

Do some searching for a good gpx file and check it carefully. I found one from a link on here, and it was doing some odd things towards the end. I think someone bailed onto the roads towards the end.

Thanks. Looks ideal.

Well thanks for the advice everyone. I managed to complete it but used about 5 miles of road down from jovington at the end. In the end I got the last train home with 5 (!) changes at 9:35. I think I was hitting about 40+ coming into East Dean and touching on 40 coming into eastbourne. All I saw of eastbourne was rapidly moving tarmac and a train station!

Sounds great!

I've got 'permission' to give this a go on the 8th September 🙂

I'll be aiming for circa 12 hours total, which should be manageable bar any terrible weather/mechanicals.
Company would be welcomed, but TBH (not wanting to sound like an ass-hat) no 'first timers' or 'haven't ridden for 10 year' types as it won't be much fun for either of us!!

DrP

DrP, I would probably be up for that if I am not busy. Either doing the whole thing or just a part of it depending how I feel and how hot it is.

I found the heat on friday was horrible and completely wrecked several hours of my ride. 🙁

Well done nedrapier 😛

Well done guys.

It's not rad, gnnarrlly or awesome for many but still a good challenge.

Ned; - can't beat late evening light 8)

YIAT - Going E out of East Dean would have been a nice little trudge on't road 😉

I must admit I don't get why people think its boring. Sure its quite old skool kool XC riding but doesn't everyone knows that already? I found a few bits of fun singletrack along the way and also fast double track. The decent into Jovington is seriously quick and perhaps a bit dangerous when the light is fading fast :O

Maybe riding it on a STW approved orange 5 is boring... 😉

DrP. I guess you are thinking Win - EB?
Might be around, will be doing alptitude training in August , but am back on the 3rd. If im not broken might join you.
Done it twice , enjoy the challenge ,but not if its wet and windy.