[Closed] SDW for this weekend?

little bits of green chalk in shady bits near me (ditchling) yesterday - but the ground itself was dry as all the water had drained out. The only section I rode was quite high up - in the woods (not the SDW) near me it was still muddy af. Its dry all yesterday/today/tomorrow so should improve.

its going to be a scortcher though, and an easterly wind on sat, so maybe consider doing it 'backwards' (ie from eastbourne)

Only done a little this week up on the top, and it has been mostly dried out up there. Stanmer is another story entirely!

Totally dry on the SDW between Pyecombe and Lewes (Blackcap). Although a bit of a westerly wind this morning. The lower woody areas in some areas are a bit splashy in places but we have another two days of sun before the weekend!

Should be pretty much bone dry, will be very hot up on the tops so make sure you have plenty of sun cream and stay hydrated.

yeah... know your tap stops!

@mccraque yep,

here's some info from a previous SDW thread:

On google they are numbered in order if you are travelling W to E
https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mid=1_Vb1XIlgkARr1__gJlGcneunAa2jlAzP&usp=sharing

and a link to a folder with the GPX tap locations:
https://1drv.ms/u/s!AoccEIKi1FCoiu8bYkNWEEbBtxUuBg?e=Vi0p4S

There's also some good little pop ups if you want a slice of cake too. I'm on the eastern half of the downs...

Bury Hill Cafe
Amberley Riverside Cafe is good (slightly off track, but only 2 mins)
Cadence Cafe - Truleigh Hill
Devils Dyke - Pub and Icecream man
Pyecombe - filling station
Ditchling Beacon - Ice cream man
Streat Hill (NEW!) - Pink van selling coffee
Southease (Not sure if open or not - YHA)
Alfriston Deli / Cadence Littlington

@mccraque new coffee van? Why wasn't I informed of this important development?😃

there's also a little van selling refreshments at the jack and jill windmill (clayton, between ditchling and pycoumbe). Its not right on the SDW, but its only a 100 yard detour.

if the windmill is open, they're often selling cups of tea and homemade (by volunteer) cakes in the bottom too..

Wish I'd had that list of cafes 3 weeks ago!

Can't really help with conditions. I'm not a local. But just wanted to wish you a good run. Enjoy!

I can say that even though we had a heavy afternoon and evening of rain in the middle of ours the surface of the tracks that followed it (Brighton to Eastbourne) were fine. Illegal rave halfway along was an interesting interlude.

Its still a bit 'green' in places but that should be better by saturday with another day of sun.

I've noticed the sheer volume of water that must have been flowing during the recent heavy rain has worn out quite a few channels as its run off the hillside so be careful of disloged rocks and unexpected chasms on the trail

If things had gone to plan this morning, I could have offered a report on how things looked around Beacon Hill on the West side of sdw. However, today's lesson is always carry a spare saddle clamp bolt, in case your mate's (or your's) shears! 😮

So all I can offer is that after the torrential rain on Monday and the scorcher Wednesday, is that there are still unusual run off areas on Knowle and Alma Lanes just west of Lower Upham. No idea if it's still an issue, but yesterday there was apparently still flooding issues at Botley Mills and to a lesser extent on Allington Lane, according to Echo news.

It wouldn't surprise me if it was still damp either side of Butser Hill and Old Winchester Hill.

But given no rain is expected despite how overcast it has been this afternoon, plus how hot it's supposed to be until beyond the weekend, surely the ground will dry up and your biggest issue will be not running out of drinking water between the taps.

Coffee van at the top of old Winchester hill as well now, 15 odd miles done so i wouldn't consider it.

I did a loop last night that included the short section from the sustainability centre to butser Hill and the meon valley trail.

The very heavy rain has eroded the path so only the bigger boulders are left so a bit bumpier than usual. Bone dry up top though.

Meon valley trail is not really on the route but good indicator of lower sections. Muddy in places but fine.

I have heard the hells angels are camping at the milburys this weekend.

From yesterday evening - Cissbury / Chanctonbury/ Steyning / Truleigh... all running dry if in the open air - but I went down the Lion Trail at Steyning - as surprisingly wet / muddy in places. The SDW itself on mainly dry - but with the usual sitting puddles.
Forecast for this weekend is hot/ dry. You will need sunscreen / loads of water ...

Very dry on Tuesday around Beachy Head.