I live in Brighton. I have been biking around the downs for the last couple of months and loving it. I wondered if people would recommend a few rides building up to around 75 miles before I do the South Downs way in June? I was thinking maybe Crawley to Brighton and then the BHF London to Brighton routes?
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I would suggest that before doing an unusually long ride it's a good idea to increase the distance you ride, yes... Is that a trick question?
I wouldn't worry too much about where it is, just get some miles in. That said, if you're doing it next month and asking this now, I fear it's a little late.
Thanks njee20, think I may have phrased it a little wrong. I currently ride 100 miles plus off road on a weekend, work permitting and about 200 a week. I have only just got into mtb. So I'm not really asking about fitness, I'm asking about where some nicer long rides are from or to Brighton.
Have you done much of the SDW? You could do Pyecombe or Ditchling to Eastbourne... that will give you a good idea of the final 30 miles, which has a number of big climbs. You could even do it out and back if you want to do 60-70 miles.
Bartimeus, thanks. Yep, I was thinking of that. I have done some of the SDW both sides of Brighton but not all the way to Eastbourne and back, so may try that tomorrow.
Devils Dyke to Eastbourne and back is a good ride, and probably the hardest end of the SDW, check wind forecast, it can make or break you. Plenty of places to bail out and get the train back to Brighton, like Lewes and Southease. Beautiful 360 vistas of the Sussex too.
rewski, thanks!
It was bloody windy today, uphill was not a problem, it was getting back into Brighton into the wind that killed the legs.
I've had to pedal downhill in high winds, not the greatest conditions.
You'll need some training in being bored. Which is what you will be, until around Harting Down. The best stuff is beyond the Shoreham gap...