[Closed] Advice or reasons not to greatly appreciated...South Downs Way...

Normal wind direction make Winchester a better starting point - but it does flip, so check the forecast.

There are a lot of hills, and 100 gates.

If you haven't ridden any of it before, doing it a day might be a big ask

Winchester to Eastbourne has much better views.

Do it - you just need to be reasonably fit, and reasonably determined, in equal measure. You don't need to be megafit or anything.

I usually manage about 12-13 hours, which is nothing special.

Take a GPS. Put the route into it. It is *very* easy to go zooming past a few of the turnings and find yourself at the bottom of some big hill going in the wrong direction. This is quite...frustrating.

Done it quite a bit over the years. As above check the wind direction it makes a big difference, dont do it on a clear hot day. There is very little cover and its quite exposed to the sun for most of the route. Taps are pretty easy to find. If its wet the chalk can be very slippery. Not trying to put you off but if you think you are average in terms of fitness you might fing it hard in a day. Travel light, keep moving, eat on the go...

And yep, coming into Eastbourne is a much nicer finish, the Winchester end is a bit meh..

I've done it loads of times, west to east, east to west, overnighters and even attempted a double of couple of times and all sorts of bikes from CX, CX SS, MTB and fat bike.

Navigation is not that difficult but there are a couple of places where it easy to go wrong as straight-ahead is the wrong option. GPS highly recommended to reduce the faff-factor which stacks up at the end of a long day as does opening gates - worth doing with a faster mate who can hold all the gates open for you too.

There are plenty of taps but not always working, so best to work on a 2-hour refill strategy in case you miss one / not working.

Biggest kit recommendation is tubeless - once rode it with 4 mates, one with tubes who had 5 punctures and the rest of us, none and he used all our spare tubes (thanks Dave!) and we lost over an hour of faffage.

Plenty of places to park free in Winchester - bottom of Petersfield Road - so you can leave at first light and still have a chance to get back to your car by train by mid-night.

@belugabob That’s pretty good to know, I must admit, starting at Eastbourne affords me a couple of things, I have family in Portsmouth and family not far from Winchester, both of which wouldn’t mind a drive if I got into too much bother, plus, somewhere to crash for the night once done at the Winchester end

If starting at Winchester would be considered a much better way around, I’m more than happy to rethink

@oldnpastit Thankyou for the confidence boost especially regarding fitness

I was thinking about 14 hours wouldn’t be too unreasonable

Regrading gps, I did post a question here just recently looking into which units would be a good way to go

@beanieripper Thankyou for the comments too, thinking of doing it sometime in may so it SHOULDN'T be too hot or clear (well normally isn’t anyway ha ha)

Another to recommend starting Winchester is starting to make me think there’s something in it

@dovebiker Thankyou for the comments, already running tubeless so as long as I check sealants etc before I head off, I’m confident that I’ll run into minimal if any tyre issues

As someone who has done it several times in both directions, if you were to recommend start at Winchester or start at Eastbourne, which would you go for?

Loose plan at this point, train to Eastbourne hotel room late afternoon, set off early next morning, plough on and have the mothership meet me at Winchester when I’m done if I didn’t feel like riding the further 30 miles to where she is

An equally simple plan could be made for the start at Winchester way around but would just have fewer (none) options for rescue towards the end if I run into trouble

Load the route onto a GPS for minimum faffage and stoppages navigating.

Get off the bike for 5 min every hour. I wouldn't stop for a long time.

Snack little and often. Nuts, Mars bars and scotch eggs.

Plenty of water taps, but map them out and top up at everyone.

If its a clear day, use suncream.

Winchester to Eastbourne is better because of wind/views.

As for fitness, if you can ride OFF ROAD for 70-75 miles, you'll be fine. For training I built up to 150 miles a week off road and I made it.

If its been raining a lot, I'd seriously consider postponing because wet chalk is like ice.

Go tubeless as said above. The only time I've punctured on it was when I had tubes.

Oh, and the biggest bit of advice about doing the SDW. Take a bell. It may not be "cool" but the walkers appreciate it and get out of your way. They might even open a gate for you.

I've did the BHF SDW in a day twice and live about 3 miles away from it.

Plenty of reserve food and fluid plus battery power packs are really the extras I THINK I would need to add over what I would ordinarily carry, happy to accept any suggestions

Usual items within hip pack
Pump
Spare Tube
Tyre levers
Scabs
Cleats
Quick link
First aid kit
Valve cores
Lights
Multi tool(s)

Its harder than you think it ought to be
The 11.000 ft of climbing does make it a big day out.
I have singled it 4 times, and alsp failed 4 times..
Navigation isn't as easy as you'd like it to be
Some of the taps require a small detour
Its treacherous in the wet and a head wind will have a large impact due to
accelerated airflow over the rising terrain
I use 1 bottle and carry food and clothes in mt backpack
Stopping at the taps kills your average speed
Avoid any running or charity events on tje day
Take a load of food, minty chewing gum, bum cream, high 5 zero tabs, sun tan cream, earphones and some ibiza classics

Are the taps actually working at the moment? Several I passed, admittedly a few months ago, were switched off due to covid.

Don't do it on a windy day!

@cobrakai some very useful points you make there, thankyou

Once again, start at Winchester seems to be favoured so I’m starting to seriously heed this advice

@mudeverywhere ooh sir! Very good shout!

@singletrackmind again, some excellent considerations and thoughts regarding what to pack

But unfortunately I have to disagree, the Ibiza classics just don’t do it for me I’m sorry to say ha ha

I’ll second (third, seventh?) the Eastbourne end being the better finish. There are some big climbs but they’re measurable and you get a big drop the other side, so you can tick off the last few miles. The Winchester end drags a bit by comparison whereas it flys at the start. You also do butser hill the right way going west-east.

Oh, and the wind and the views....

If you get a hot day beware, there’s basically no shelter after, oooh, chanctonbury? And not a lot in the 10 miles before. I did a late start at night a couple of years ago and made good progress until the sun came up on the hottest day of the year. It was roasting by 7am. After devil's dyke I had to stop in each valley and sit in the shade until I felt a bit less likely to die. Looking back, there was some pretty bad dehydration going on!

It’s one still one of my favourite days out on the bike, even after 4 or 5 times and a couple of ‘most of it’. Enjoy.

stopping at taps might damage your average speed, but not as much as severe dehydration or starting with 10kgs of water.

def get a GPS, borrow one at the very least.

Don't get all excited when you first see Eastbourne after climbing up from Jevington, you've got miles of travelling round Eastbourne before you start getting closer to it. I've seen 2 major failures of sense of humour on that section!

If you want to read more:

https://www.southdownsdouble.co.uk/

http://www.bikedowns.co.uk/

the "double" page looks like it's been updated more recently. Has GPS tracks to download which I bet are reliable.

I did it as a last minute thing on one of the hottest days last year after reading poopscoops thread.

The Eastbourne end is sort of epic with the drop down to the sea, whereas Winchester had mellow rolling countryside, which is nicer to start out on... everyone is right, start from Winchester.

I punctured just the once on a sharp flint that sliced my tyre, that was tubeless aswell.

Make sure the weather is good and has been dry, it would be a bad day out in the wet.

Of course you could just do the Original South Downs Way - Between Buriton (just South of Petersfield and the beginning of the proper ridge riding Downs) to Eastbourne - This misses out the least enjoyable part of the current SDW between Winchester and Buriton (a section added to the SDW in 1987) - We do this once a year and it's still an epic day out. Sometimes head over the QE 2 park and do a lap or two before heading off east or sometimes start at Petersfield and head over towards Butser Hill for the views and a nice descent into QE2 park. Have done the full SDW but can't quite get too excited about doing it anymore.

I did post a question here just recently looking into which units would be a good way to go

One that lasts 12 hours or more...!

If its wet the chalk can be very slippery.

Very much this. I personally would bail in that case.

I've stayed in the YHA in Eastbourne, which is quite easy, and I've also just taken the train from Eastbourne back to Winchester (via Victoria, it was a couple of hours IIRC).

I'm planning to do it again this year with a few friends.

Good luck, it is absolutely epic.

*The taps were off last week*

I don't know how long they're off for but do not think about doing this if the taps are off unless you have a very good backup plan.

Maybe contact the National Park authority and ask when they'll be switched back on?

@donslow

Do it, do it, do it!!

https://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/so-the-multi-day-sdw-adventure-begins-tonight-next-to-the-a31/

Heres my three year old thread which will be updated again this year when I ride it in a day again (hopefully) and possibly try the double.

Some of my best biking memories are from riding the SDW. Not just the riding or (incredible) scenery but the people I meet (and occasionally get threatened by!)

It's an incredible feeling to roll into Eastbourne absolutely shattered but also feeling on cloud 9.😁

I LOVE the SDW everyone should ride it at least once.

Oh, just watch out for the "rut of death". I crashed in the same rut 2 years running. You'll notice it now as it's not white chalk anymore but rust red from the blood of my arms and legs.😉

Seriously though, do it!👍

Try and do it on a cloudy day as above it is brutal on a sunny day.

The taps are hard to find I only found 2 taps.

Unless you go off route you don’t really go through anywhere with food apart from towards the end so take a lot!

It’s 11,000ft of climbing

It is a brilliant day out but it’s not an easy one.

Video of when I did it a few years ago.

I've done it over 2 days, staying at the YHA, as an event.

This meant we parked up in Winchester and dropped our bags with the organisers. They moved the bags to the YHA and then to Eastbourne for the finish. They also transported us back to Winchester with our bikes at the end. They also had a couple of food/water stops each day.

It was a very enjoyable two days, and as others have said, far harder (more climbing) than we expected. We also had glorious weather, not too hot and no rain.

Doing it in one go? Not for me. But I'd happily do it again over two days.

It's a fabulous day out if the weather and conditions are right, we did it completely blind the first time, literally, it was at night. Neither me or my mate had ever ridden it before.

As some have said, it's not a question of fitness in some ways, but a question of determination and outright stubborness. I failed it once in 5 attempts as my legs simply said no... I was fried by Brighton. I bailed onto the road and jumped the train. But was it just my legs that quit that day or my brain, i'd say 50-50.

if the BHF do an event this year it's worth jumping on theirs, it makes it a great day out.

Water info here: http://www.bikedowns.co.uk/Water%20taps.htm

It's a big day out for sure, pace, eating & drinking are key.

If you do it as a booked "event" your at the mercy of the weather, both the wet & significant heat would be a no for me.

Another one here to highly recommend it - I’ve done it several times and love it, it’s a cracking day out, but long! Do start at Winchester rather than Eastbourne. Take plenty of food - my issues were about not eating enough or often enough. We did it in 30 degrees a couple of years ago and that does make it tougher!

I’d also second the using a gps that lasts the distance, or take a power pack - mine ran out of juice soon after Brighton which was very annoying...

Do it, you’ll enjoy it and be so chuffed with yourself at the end. The. Tells us all about it....

If you get to where you're feeling fit and the weather's good, and you fancy it, but it's actually too hot as per warnings above, a night ride is a genuinely sensible option. And amazing.

Sunset, sunrise, the hills to yourself, full moon (if you time it right), LOADS of wildlife. did this a couple of years ago with pictonroad off here. dovebiker up there^ (hi!) joined us for the first 25ish. It's only really dark for a few hours in midsummer, I only took an exposure joystick, on the head with a clip on the bars for the odd bit of road. Had it switched off, riding by the moon quite a bit, too. you need to take another sandwich as you can't load up at Alfriston Deli, but otherwise, you're as self sufficient as you need to be during the day.

pics towards the end of this: https://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/sdw-overnight-brilliant-or-stupid/page/2/

This is exactly why I love this STW forum, so much advice and help right off the bat,

I’ve been reading all of the comments and am overwhelmed by the help and advice, rather than reply to each one individually (as I tend to try and do) I’ve made som points and thoughts below, feel free to pick holes where necessary

-Winchester is definitely the best place to start
-in regards to water stops, will definitely ask the authorities regarding when they’ll be back on, not sure I’d do it if there’s little chance of refilling bottles so thanks for the headsup @pictonroad and @mudeverywhere

@qwerty Thankyou for the link, I also found a filter on OS Maps for highlighting the water stops along the route as well

@weeksy Thankyou for the advice, think the brain is raring to go, @cobrakai good suggestion regarding off the bike for 5 minutes every hour, I was personally thinking a few minutes every couple of hours but I guess it’ll come down to judging it better on the day

@nedrapier Thankyou for the advice and the links, will get onto reading through them

@jonnybike I’d seen that video previously, some things to consider with your comments and the video together

Regarding a gps unit, I’m currently eyeing up a garmin edge explore and getting a separate battery power pack/charging thingy, anyone using these, from my reading, it’ll do what I want it to with minimal fuss

Advice heeded for checking the previous weather prior to starting

I’ll continue to read through the comments and reply but thankyou all so far, really great advice and comments, I’m feeling a little more confident/encouraged to take this on now

Please do keep it all coming

Of course you could just do the Original South Downs Way – Between Buriton (just South of Petersfield and the beginning of the proper ridge riding Downs) to Eastbourne

Very much this. Unless you particularly want to do the whole thing.

The section between Winchester and QEPark is really dull, even more so with the current road diversions, which seem to change constantly.

I can see a case for the bit between Winch and QE being “dull” relative to some other bits of the SDW, but as bike rides go, it beats a lot of others.

Some good climbs and fun descents and wonderful views over Winchester from Cheesefoot head, the Meon Valley from the top of Old Winchester and especially the Solent and the IoW from Butser.

Still, it’s a convenient excuse if you cba to do it properly

MAKE SURE YOU HAVE A TAIL WIND!

It's very windy on the south coast, and you'll be high up a lot of the time, making it worse.
Often a gentle breeze on the coast feels like a gale on top of the downs.

99% of the time this means Winchester -> Eastbourne make most sense.

You don’t need to be megafit or anything.
I usually manage about 12-13 hours, which is nothing special.

I very strongly disagree with this. The very fact you've done the 100 mile route multiple times suggests you are quite fit. It's a hard slog.

Still, it’s a convenient excuse if you cba to do it properly

LOL!

Go West to East, you need it to be a dry day with a tailwind for the best experience. Drop supplies off or have some support if possible. Do it in June or July and start early, very early. Do all of it but don't fall off going down Butser Hill at speed and watch out for Giant Hogweed dropping down to the River Ouse. Don't stop more than absolutely necessary, you might need to stop quite a bit and it can really eat into your total time, be strict about this. Coffee stops in the sun are nice but this won't be the right day to do that, stop, eat, drink and go. It's as much a mental challenge as a physical one so keep pedalling and make sure you get to The Pilot Inn while they're still doing food. Good luck and enjoy it!

Did it in a day a few years ago, planning on doing it again this year as I want to get under 12hrs!

A few things I picked up before and during my first go at it:

Before the ride make sure your bike is in great mechanical condition and that your riding position is as comfortable as it can be.
Get your kit choice sorted a few rides beforehand, don't use box-fresh kit on the ride itself!
Take a mixture of foods, savoury and sweet. Also make sure they all agree with your digestive system, there aren't many places to dive into a hedge and empty out!
Get a good night's sleep beforehand.
Start as early as you can, it's a great morale boost seeing so many miles done by 10am, midday, 2pm etc.
Carry as much as you can on the bike, makes it far easier on your joints and back. I went for 1 water bottle on the bike and 1ltr in the bladder as I had only room for a 500ml bottle on the frame and had to carry a pack.
Winchester to Eastbourne is definitely the best way, as long as the wind is favourable!
Keep stop time to a minimum. Take photo's while coasting, time drink and food stops with gates etc.
Don't let the east start from Winchester fool you, the hills get longer the further you go.
Use a GPS for route finding and also to keep track of your pace. A 12hr ride is 8.4mph average so keep that in mind. As a guide an average over the first 40 miles of 9mph will bring you in under the 12hrs as the average slows a bit as you get further in due to tiredness and the bigger hills.
The last two hills before the end are tough on weary legs, I blew up on them due to getting my pace wrong!
Have a bail-out plan, even if it's just a credit card and the phone numbers of local taxi firms.

The most important thing though is enjoy it. It's more a mental challenge than physical provided you have a reasonable amount of fitness.

Easterly this weekend, so start Eastbourne!

I live there and much prefer this way. It gets (a bit) easier as you go west.

Taps at Southease YHA and Jevington Church have worked throughout lockdown.

I had one failed attempt (dodgy knee) and the rest of the group got in to Eastbourne about midnight, 18 hours with a couple of big breaks. I then did it successfully but still took a long time, I was not fit enough and didn't have enough low gears on my bike (1x Alfine 8) so walked a few hills. Not sure if I could have done it unsupported, hot pizza 2/3rds of the way was a lifesaver!

Fitter now so I'd hope to do better!

If aiming for 12 hours, you really need a 10mph moving average speed as it's very easy to lose an hour+ just due to gates / navigation / filling bottles / whizzing / faffing. As you'll inevitably slow down during the day, it means that if you can't get to QECP (40km) in under 2 hours, you're unlikely to get to Eastbourne on schedule. Don't let that put you off, but I've seen people in despair on the climb up from Cocking when they realise its a lot tougher than they expected.

@reluctantjumper Thankyou for the time and effort, some valuable information / points you bring up in your post, a lot to be heeded for sure. Was thinking about as much on the bike as possible, was thinking about my usual hip pack plus something like this (6ltr version) for everything else plus maybe a small saddle pack, happy to consider any tried and tested alternatives...

https://www.topeak.com/global/en/products/288-Bikepacking-Series/967-MIDLOADER

@spooky_b329 Thankyou for that, I’ve fired and email off to the SDW website contact page so will see what they say

@dovebiker I’ve seen a lot of people getting the 12 hour mark give or take, personally, I’m allowing 14 anything less than that is a bonus, anything more is an “ah well”

I agree with much of what has been said, and I can confirm that you shouldn't do it if its wet. In 2017 I binned the bike twice because of wet chalk. It really is like ice. The 2nd time I knocked the mech out of alignment so wasted some more time (and 2 or 3 more stops until I figured it out properly).

I think it *is* hard. 100 miles, and 11,500ft how can it not be, but the fact that I've done it 3 times now (over 3 days, and twice in 1 day) and I'm contemplating doing it again says a lot for what a lovely ride it is.

I "double-bag" (padded liners under padded shorts) use liberal chamois cream, and sun-cream if its warm.

As others have said, don't wear, eat, or carry anything, that you haven't tried out in practice (for miles). I can point you at my strava for 2017 and 2019 if you are interested.

Do it, its brilliant.

LR

Honestly though,
1 day is a bit of a brutal chore
2 days is one of the most enjoyable trips around
I'm planning a 3 day double some time, I think that might be alright esp with stashing opportunities if using the same overnight spot for both nights. Easier logistics than 1 way.