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No real purpose to this post other than I'm excited... on the train to Winchester to ride the South Downs way over three days with a mate. First overnight trip iv done in ages especially since having a child 2 years ago.
Enjoy it, it's a great ride. I did it back in August Eastbourne to Winchester. Its the second time I've done it in a day and both times I thought it would be great to do over a few days with others camping out.
I'm towards the Eastbourne end, nearest bit to me is the stretch between the A27 and the top of Rodmell so if I'm out on Sunday I'll be looking out for you 😊
You timed the weather well! ground will still be wet for decent chunks, but at least you're riding in the sunshine.
If you slow pedal the 1st bit you might catch some of the early SSUKers setting up at the bottom of Butser Hill.
Have an awesome ride! Post pics.
I expect everything west of at least South Harting is going to be very damp, we've had more rain this last fortnight than the rest of the year since March put together, but it's finally sunny again today and tomorrow... Enjoy!
Enjoy it, @WildHunter2009.
I did it over three days a few years ago and really enjoyed it. Camped at Cocking on the first night and stayed in the youth hostel at Truleigh Hill on the second night.
Doing it over a few days gives you time to look around, enjoy the scenery and not flog yourself to death.
Have fun rode part of it earlier this year. We got up at 5 to avoid the mini heatwave we were having.
Watch out for the chalky descents if it is damp or worse still it rains, can be very slippery when wet!
Did it in two days a few years ago, but afterwards thought that 3 would have been better to stop more often enjoy the views and get off the trail to enjoy the local hostelries. As I remember it there aren't many places where you actually go past a pub or shops, so you need time if you want to get off the trail and go for a pint or pick up supplies.
Enjoy.
There is a nice pub in Jevington where you can enjoy a pint before the final climb to Eastbourne. Unfortunately there is now just a blue plague to mark the site of The Hungry Monk, birthplace of Banoffee Pie in Jevington so you'll just have to fuel the climb on pork scratchings
There are a few food opps on route as you head east from Truleigh. You can get a bite at the Truleigh Hill and Southease YHA cafes, there is the Wildflower Cafe at Saddlescombe Farm, and Pink Pit Stop (weekends) at the top of Streat Bostal. Also cafes/pubs in Alfriston before you go over the next ridge to Jevington
Did it over two days a few weeks back Bivi'd out about around Devils Dyke somewhere. Had to take a morning detour to Brighton for a new tyre after mine was irreparably cut by a flint. Great ride, but it was tougher than I thought it would be, lots of climbing!
Enjoy it. Great weather for it this weekend. I did it in the day a few weeks ago with full on headwind all the way. It’s a tough day out and I’ll probably do it over 2 days next time
It has just dawned on me that I may have passed you heading up Mill Hill (road section just before the YHA) around 4pm. I was in a bit of a rush to get home so whacked the ebike into turbo
That headwind was pretty brutal so I hope you didn’t have much further to travel. Hopefully less strong for you tomorrow
I commute over it a couple of times a week and the section from Eastbourne to way past Firle is dry as a bone despite the recent rain.
PSA for locals and those who are looking for a good pub - the Trevor Arms has now reopened in Glynde. its a tiny bit off route but worth it with Three Acres on tap (if you know, you know) and good food.
Great ride, but it was tougher than I thought it would be, lots of climbing!
If I had a pound for every time I've heard that (especially from 'Northener's) I'd be able to pay Rayners stamp duty!
So far so good, my respect for anyone who has done this in a day has increased massively. Bit of a reality check on the fitness!
You must be having fun with the wind today 😂
But at least you've missed some of the recent deluges.
One advantage of doing it in a day is you can get a much better idea of the likely weather. I'd originally planned to do it on my 60th birthday but I'd of been riding into a headwind all the way to Winchester. A couple of days later the wind had shifted to a very gentle southerly and the temperature was looking ok. of course it's all a lot easier if you live close to one end of it to be flexible.
Much better pub in the train station at Glynde!
especially from 'Northeners'
On a slightly related note, is the ride actually good, or just good for the SE of England? ( Like southern sandstone for example)
I keep hearing it bandied about in a similar vein to the WHW and was thinking of doing it with my son, but given I can get to the WHW in about the same time, I wanted to double check if it is actually good or just a sufferfest that gets southerners off their turbo trainers for a few hours.
Tell me ....
Yes, its good even when set against other rides in the UK but not the best riding I've ever done. there are simply not enough fast technical descents. its a decent length, its easily navigated and has plenty of climbing. the views can be spectacular and are always pleasant wherever you are on it. I don't think it beats the WHW for views though. There is no law that says you can't do both however!
Its not fun in the winter as the surface can become very greasy. Also, its best avoided on busy summer weekends as there are too many walkers. This time of year before it really starts to rain is good or late spring if trying to do it in a day as there is more daylight. A headwind as posted above can be very energy sapping. You really want low winds and gentle sun with no cloud. I've done it in 30 degrees and its a nightmare as there is not a lot of shade and very white chalk which can actually replicate snowblindness if you are unlucky!
I've cycled its full length 3 or 4 times but always with an overnight stop. I live about 10km from one of the nicer stretches (Firle) so spend a lot of time on the Eastbourne end and so to me the WHW would be better just because its different.
Define “good”. There’s nothing seriously technical about it, but as a physical test over two, and especially one, days it holds its own, especially as the physical tests get bigger the further you go when travelling west to east which is what the majority of riders do. I’ve ridden it over two days a few times and the time I did it in a day was about as draining as any I have had on a bike, although hot conditions played their part on that occasion.
It's a good predominantly off road ride with nice views and easy navigation but there's no technical interest. I found the landscape a bit samey, there's only so much interest a chalk grassland can hold and I reached my fill of that 25 years or so ago!! I prefer to move through landscapes where the SDW keeps you in a landscape if you know what I mean...having said that it was a nice couple of days.
Quick update, so 2.5 days (dear god doing it in less is impressive). Absolutely fantastic ride, especially the eastern sections. Firle was awesome.
Headwind wasn't great, what should have been some easy fast km ended up being a bit of an effort but ah well. The deli is Alfriston does fantastic sandwiches. Enjoyed camping but would like to go back and ride sections without all the luggage.
No punctures or mechanicals for me. Spesh Butcher and Purgatory perhaps not the fastest choice but reliable.
Will try and stick some photos up later
Well done. You had a great weekend for it. I reckon doing it in a day is easier than doing it with camping gear.
Excellent effort.
Great to hear you got it done.
Quick update, so 2.5 days (dear god doing it in less is impressive).
It's a weird one, but doing it in a day (or a night) isn't actually as terrible as you think as long as you've got the mindset correct. It's just plodding, plodding, plodding... But with 3500m of elevation it's very much a proper proper day out. I've done it 3 times in a day but i'm not convinced i'll try it again. 😀
Well done on making it and ticking the box.
On a 2-dayer I found a B&B in Steyning - about 60% of the way there (west to east) but probably about 50% of the total workload over the two days.
Depends what you want. As someone who rides 95% gravel vs MTB these days it's a great ride if the weather is good. Big skies, great views, a feeling of stepping outside your normal life. It's tough when doing it as fast a possible with limited breaks. Pleasant at leisurely pace.
It does feel more of an adventure than you might expect being slap bang in the South East. We slightly underestimated how little there is in terms of food/supplies along the route and got a bit lucky a few times. Notably the Frankland Arms in Washington has a massive motorbike meet on with a BBQ! Got a burger, chips and a pint of coke all in a 30 mins stop not far off route.
I think the only moment I had a bit of a sense of humour failure was the tiny short climb through the woods just before you get to Housedean Farm camping and cross the A27. It was late, i was very hungry and really didnt appreciate anymore climbing!
I would say the section east of Ditchling and across the top of Firle Beacon would be my favourite sections, just classic massive sky, views and chalk downland.
I had a bit of a sense of humour failure was the tiny short climb through the woods just before you get to Housedean Farm camping and cross the A27
It's one of my least favourite bits, that and the bottom of the climb from Southease to Rodmell heading in the other direction. Both of which are not on the original route but changes made to make it safer in particular for horses
I quite like the climb through the woods, although unless you're doing the official SDW, most of us locals would opt for either Balmer Down or straight down to Sussex Uni to avoid the bstrd and get to Housedean that way!
the tiny short climb through the woods just before you get to Housedean Farm
And shortly therafter the short sharp climb through the woods to the start of the slog up to Kingston Ridge, though not quite as bad.
Is the SDW as good as WHW - dunno - never done the WHW. But the SDW, or perhaps just the downs, does have a certain aura that pulls you in and takes you under its spell. As above, it's not that technical, but it's not just the ride (as much ascent in a day as the Marmotte, though not on metalled roads), it's the whole package on offer.
The different terrain (woods, sandy gravel, chalk, grassland, and the fact that you are riding 100 miles along a single geological feature.
The views - mistaking the IoW for the mainland and wondering why your map reading is off; the sight of Arundel Castle on the shoulder of a hill on the southern skyline. The view across to Lewes Castle that never seems to get closer or further away as you round Kingston Ridge. The fact that on a clear day you can probably see 30 miles in either direction and be pleased at your progress, or cursing what is yet to come.
It's the history, the string of iron-age hillforts that top almost every summit on the route, the many Beacons used for signalling and the iron-age burial mounds you can get some air off of, the section of Roman cobbled road above Bignor, The Long Man of Wilmington.
Maybe i should come and try the WHW, I'm sure it is as beguiling as the SDW when you get to know it.
Maybe i should come and try the WHW,
Maybe you should become press officer for the South Downs National Park, that's a really great sales pitch and really sums it up well 😊
I live right on the edge of the downs just a couple of miles from the SDW and I've been riding on it since 1985 and I never lose the love of riding them, it feels as good today as it did back then.
Lovely write up, susepic.
the fact that you are riding 100 miles along a single geological feature.
It's pretty cool. Someone needs to put together and Weald-Artois Anticline Loop.
English bit is sorted: SDW from Eastbourne - Winchester, KAW to North Downs - NDW to Dover.
The French bit looks just as decent too:
Just need a liason from Le Touquet to Dieppe for the ferry home to Newhaven.
riding on it since 1985 and I never lose the love of riding them, it feels as good today as it did back then
I'm a positive newcomer Avdave2 - 93 for me. Hurstpierpoint, and can be at the windmills in 30 and beacon in 40.
Someone needs to put together and Weald-Artois Anticline Loop.
Now that is a cracking idea nedrapier! have had a quick look at google maps to see if you can get geological overlays for French route planning - needs a bit more in-depth googling or google-earthing.
Many thanks for the comments on what it's like. It's confirmed my view that it's exactly what I would have really liked 4 years ago, but now I'm knackered I'm not so sure.... Will have a think.
As a geologist that Weald Artois idea very much appeals! and you get a nice break on the ferry!
Now that is a cracking idea nedrapier! have had a quick look at google maps to see if you can get geological overlays for French route planning - needs a bit more in-depth googling or google-earthing.
Glad you think so too! Don't know about geological overlays, but topo shows it up pretty well:
https://en-gb.topographic-map.com/map-cvtgt/Europe/
Unfortunately, being a relatively little curve, the French side doesn't seem to have made it to being such an obvious and historic path as NDW or SDW.
Still, if someone does piece it together, could it be called the Tour de WAA, please?