• This topic has 20 replies, 13 voices, and was last updated 10 years ago by DrP.
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  • South Downs Conditions? – Update Please.
  • awptechnical
    Free Member

    Hi

    I’m riding the Wiggle Rough Ride this weekend. The organisers have changed the route; it now runs east of Amberley. I appreciate it’s going to be wet and muddy but how bad? I’ve never ridden on the South Downs; does it drain quickly? The forecast for this week isn’t too bad so hopefully it’ll improve the conitions?

    Thanks in advance.

    missnotax
    Free Member

    It’s going to wet, muddy, and – bearing in mind the South Downs are chalk – probably a little bit slippery in places too!

    I’m doing it too though – that’s not enough to put me off! The organisers will have re-routed it to the best possible option.

    timnwild
    Full Member

    Rode about half the route Saturday – pretty boggy, muddy, slippy and slow. Might dry out a bit this week, but I’m going prepared for a full-on mudfest.

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    awptechnical
    Free Member

    Thanks for the update.

    I will come prepared!

    john_l
    Free Member

    Rode 30 miles around Cissbury/Chanctonbury yesterday morning. – was fine.

    bikebouy
    Free Member

    Have you and umbrella and wellies??

    I’d take em’ 😆

    I Roadied it on Sat and Sun, the lanes were about as good as the trails, wet, scree, mud, slime, clay, chalk, running water…

    Great fun though 😀

    lotus777
    Free Member

    I’m riding saturday aswell. 34 mile mudfest, it’s going to be a long slog by the sounds of it.
    Praying for dryness for rest of the week….

    awptechnical
    Free Member

    The forecast looks pretty good for the rest of the week and fairly warmish for Saturday.

    missnotax
    Free Member

    Ah well, at least it’s a morning (day?!) on the bike 🙂

    See you all there!

    martib
    Full Member

    Sportive Photo mentioned on Twitter they were doing a recce today for Saturday, so I asked what conditions were like, they replied –

    “a bit sticky in places, SDW had a few puddles but nothing too bad that I saw.”

    My first event and very much looking forward to it 😀

    tomaso
    Free Member

    Scarp and vale – so chalky slippery tops and claggy clay bottoms. You are after a mud spike in the dips and semi-slick fast rolling tyre up top.
    Perhaps something skiny to allow for both Max clag and min rolling resistance.

    winston
    Free Member

    I was up that way on Saturday. Its rideable but not enjoyable. Forget getting out of the saddle on a climb, its spin city and the descents are slower due to mud. Watch any off camber section as you will have zero grip, even on a nice looking grassy bit as I found out to my cost….

    awptechnical
    Free Member

    My first MTB event too. I think I’m looking forward to it!

    It’s started to dry out here around Cambridge already.

    lotus777
    Free Member

    I’m starting to wonder if choosing the epic course was a good idea. It’s going to be make or break !
    Have fun everyone ….

    scottfitz
    Free Member

    QECP was running great last night. If the SD stay dry ish till then rough ride should be OK. Have fun guys.

    wwaswas
    Full Member

    The SDW near Brighton and the south escarpment was fine last night. Wooded stuff is pretty sticky as it starts to dry out a but another couple of dry days with a breeze should help.

    It’ll be fine, enjoy 🙂

    bartimaeus
    Free Member

    Everywhere seems to be drying out now… so the chalk and well drained sections are much better, but the muddy, poorly drained sections are if anything worse as they are very sticky.

    Weather looks good for a few days now so everything should improve significantly.

    I think your main worry will be the impact on the soft sections of several hundred riders.

    wwaswas
    Full Member

    Had a good day for it 🙂

    lotus777
    Free Member

    very enjoyable ride in the sunshine. I found it hard going in places, the ground being a bit sticky and draggy but was expecting it to be a lot worse. Some tough climbs towards the end but also some great downhills.
    Absolutely cream crackered now !

    awptechnical
    Free Member

    Not sure where the mud was? If that was muddy in places I’ll take it any day compared to the sh*te I’m riding at the moment. 98% was flinty tracks! I’m a bit pissed as I took my 26″ (as it has gears)having stripped my tubeless X-Kings off to fit Medusa’s and the X-Kings would have been perfect.
    Some tough climbs though – we don’t get hills anything like that in Cambridge.

    DrP
    Full Member

    Looked a the route on Wiggle/strava – took in some good local bits – looks like you had a good one out there chaps!

    DrP

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