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Just over a week to go and no sign of the rain relenting. I'm taking it easy this week to save the legs for next Saturday, just hoping it's not a complete washout. Will give it a go whatever the weather mind.
A few other folks on here are signed up, how you all feeling about next week?
Last I read is that there are over 450 riders signed up for this event.
All kicking off at 5:30 from Chilcombe Sports Hall
My advice is to get there, register/sign in and get going EARLY (probably 05:15 if you can). Beat the hordes to Winchester Hill, it's going to be a bog-fest there come 6:30 when they all come stamping through.
Knobblies for the first 30 miles then switch to easy rollers if you can for the remaining 70
Yuk.
[i]switch to easy rollers if you can for the remaining 70[/i]
I'd want something knobbly all of the way - I rode from Devils Dyke to Ditchling Beacon and a bit beyond on Sunday. Even the 'usually reliably dry' bits were a squidgy mess.
Having said that, do people *really* change tyres halfway through a long ride?
Having said that, do people *really* change tyres halfway through a long ride?
Why ever not? Whatever get's you through it I say. Change clothes, shoes, even the bike.
Having said that, the forecast is set for blue skies and heat, so now we have hot temperatures and a bogfest - nice
It was pretty wet for the first 20 miles or so last June when I did it, hoping it won't be any worse! No changing tyres for me, I'm carrying as little as possible and anyway, I've never changed tyres until they've been worn out and it's never been a big deal for me.
Getting pretty excited about Saturday now, especially with the weather forecast being so good. Bring it on!
Anyone who did the SDW on Sunday, it was the day after the Xtri24 and Trailwalker so was shredded.
Was marking/sweeping after the Xtri24 and the conditions were horrid, all night raing following slow people. Nice trail though at night 🙂
URG I was planning to do the SDW on saturday. Don't really want to be caught up in the masses though. I was planning to start nice and early around 6pm 🙁 Not early enough by the looks of things!
So whaddya reckon, are we in for a mudfest? If so for how far? The high ground will be ok won't it? Getting nervous....
In Brighton.
Weather OK now.
5 day forecast looks good, with a bit of wind to blow you round.
Marvin
There are pockets of clay high up on the downs, this holds water and results in mud, regardless of the height.
Storrington onwards is normally pretty OK and should be drier as the downs become more flinty.
Winchester end is always a problem, long rutted tracks full of mud and barbed wire fences overgrown with long grass - don't come off!!
Doing some training for our own charity sdw ride later in the year.
Conditions so far at the Winchester end
Appalling on the section from chilcoombe to cheesefoot, used knobblys but the trail is ridiculous.
Winchester hill is also ridiculous, always boggy but now!
Out after qecp and between cocking two weeks ago there was a cm thick layer of liquid Teflon on the trail in random patches on ascents and descents, go carefull now!
My advice is some form of mud spike that clears well, biggest problem we've had is mud building up on our wheels and jamming them. Pretty soul destroying at the moment.
Oh well, my plan is to go for it with blind optimism and see how far that gets me 🙂
Oh well, my plan is to go for it with blind optimism and see how far that gets me
...there's another plan!
C U there. What time R U arriving. I hear there are 400+ riders. With 3 registration staff last year it's going to take ages to get everyone signed in.
I'm leaving at 5:15 once they open the gates
Was planning to camp at Chilcomb tonight, then set off about 5am. But last night my wife came down with a really bad bug and so I'm staying here with her. Might have a go at the SDW on my own next weekend, and get the train back - will be an adventure! And maybe the trail will be drier.
Hope you have a great day and let us know how it goes.
Planning another pop at it on the 28th too. Train from London and back.
As marvin, fingers very crossed for a heatwave next week to dry out the porridge.
Good luck for tomorrow.
SDW around Brighton was pretty good last night.
If it stays dry today it should further improve.
SDW from storrington to devils dyke has dried out pretty well considering the mess it was in last weekend. The trail walk event certainly made the stretch from chanctonbury to Annington very erm shi**y.
EDIT: I will add that I tip my hat to the people doing it. Especially the lady that was wading through the deep mud in flip flops!
How did you get on folks?