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It is really hot up on the Downs at the moment. Lots of fluid & take extra care on the dh sections as a lot of it has become quite loose with random floating lumps of chalk & flint, especially around the section between QE & Cocking.
I was thinking of attempting the organised South Downs in a day CX Sportive on the 7th of July on the cross bike so following updates with interest.
Was up near storrington yesterday super weather you have a blast!
mattbee
take extra care on the dh sections as a lot of it has become quite loose with random floating lumps of chalk & flint, especially around the section between QE & Cocking
It's that section that I crashed on last year! Lol
Small problem at the moment....the"fixed" stuck down Monarch Plus.....isn't so fixed. It's packed down over night. 😠
Got to fit a spare Monarch today and send the Plus away to TFT when I'm back I suppose.
Hoping to start the ride on Friday from the look of it.
Right, bike checked over as good as possible. Backpack all packed. Only taking a "disposable" emergency bivvy as I don't reckon I will need it.
Haglofs Lim Down +1's second outing and although bloody expensive it is warm and insanely light.
Decided to go to bed early and set off for Winchester about 4 am.... Then off we go!
Best of luck mate, be careful with heat etc.
Sounds good, but sounds like you think you’ll be on top for quite some time.
Best of luck. I’m still licking my wounds from a one day attempt . I’m keeping my fingers crossed*for another attempt in July.
* tailwind!!
Just did bishops Waltham to Amberly 2 days ago. It's in great Nick but because it's soooo dry the gravel patches are pretty slippy!
Group of 5 of us going to attempt a one day Eastbourne to Winchester SDW tomorrow (Sat). Date was set over a month ago so amazed that its looking like good weather and even a partial tailwind.
I'm on a Whyte T129, others on Cube 29r hardtails or Giant Anthem. Will keep an eye out for anyone on a Jeffsy.
I'm planning a Devils Dyke-Eastbourne-Devils Dyke ride tomorrow early. Will be on a Niner RKT. See you all out there.
Did Steyning to QE Park yesterday, was very fast and very hot!
Watch the gravel on the descents.....
Settling down for night in a field at Cocking.
2 minor crashes but enough to get blood everywhere.lol Took a flap of skin off a finger but insulation tape sorted that.
Crashed on the SAME place that ended my STW attempt last year! FFS! It's my nemesis obviously. Luckily was going a bit slower this time.... Took several off piste adventures too.....meaning I got lost and add a few miles on to the ride!
Drinking water like it's gone out of fashion. A rider and some residents in cocking gave me water.... The guy who owns the only shop in Cocking actually reopened it for me to get water and food.
Most prime are innately good you know. It's not like all the doom and gloom on the news.
BTW, Pub in Cocking is closed. Had to carry on down road to an open pub..... 2 ales later the aches went away.lol
Pikes fubared but will make another post about that. They are functioning though so ploughing on tomorrow! 😁
Oh, wearing a bright blue helmet,a Catlike Leaf. Hopefully see done some of you tomorrow!
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Second one is where I crashed.lol
Nighty night.
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👍
👍🤳🕺
It’s been hot out there today. Currently relaxing at the White Horse, Graffham, after a glorious day of roadying around E Sussex. Have a good one OP and stay safe
Today was brutal. Felt nauseous, balance went even when pushing the bike. Dropped it twice because I was just staggering along. About 2ish I ditched the bike and rucksack and laid in some shade. Felt a lot better afterwards. Was drinking tonnes, stopped at houses for to ups. No amount of water made me feel better.
I repaired the Pikes but it included a 6 mile round trip to Steyning (speed?) A big thanks to the guys and South Downs Cycles for lending me the tools.... 2 tokens had come loose. Amazing the amount of noise 2 bits of plastic can make!
Also.....on A24 crossing.....I managed to back track WEST.... I didn't even notice! Lost about 10 or more miles I was totally gutted... You have no idea.
Arrived at YH at 10 to 10... Just before they close. Beasted myself to get there.
No rooms, so bivvying here.
Tomorrow will be a birch! Lol 😆
Crack on you should be there soon .
Bravo so far.....
Well, that is about survival now. Pretty bad OTB and legs just have nothing on them. Nothing. Can barely walk straight.
I'm determined to get there. Wish me luck!🍀
Are you sure you should be allowed to ride on your own? 😁
I think you need a riding buddy to look after you!
The best memories come from tough adventures, keep up the good work.
Hope you do it poopscoop, you picked a hell of a w/e to do it on but put yourself first they'll other chances to do the ride.
Poopscoop, are you there?
#prayforpoop
I did the SDW last weds on my fatbike. Was very hot, used all the water taps, felt queasy all dag in the heat. Missed the turn at black cap which added an extra climb and lost an hour. After a 6am start at Winchester we got to Alfriston at 9.15pm and decided to call it quits. Only 8 miles short but 2 more bastard hills and no light!
That was a hard day. Unfinished business though so will be back!
Also need to do a multi day bivvi to enjoy the ride and scenery a bit more - definitely the best option.
Good luck poops, it's a tough old ride!
Second one is where I <span class="skimlinks-unlinked">crashed.lol</span>
I think I crashed in pretty much exactly the same spot!
There was a moment of "wait, what" followed by "this'll be fine, I can sort this" followed by "nggghghghgrr".
You sound like an absolute disaster. 😯
Also…..on A24 crossing…..I managed to back track WEST…. I didn’t even notice! Lost about 10 or more miles I was totally gutted… You have no idea.
How the hell did you manage this ?
Did you take the alternative route over the bridge into Washington then back up the Bostal Road then manage to cross the A24 again ????
Any way, keep the report coming as its keeping me smiling 🙂
You sound like an absolute disaster.
Shhh. This is the 'encouraging noises' thread. The piss-taking can start once we know he survives. 🙂
Quick bump - is he OK?
Quick update. Got back home late last night.
Had to abort with 12 miles to go. Was running on pure obstinacy (sp?) but as n night set in and my cheap head torch went flat I had to give in. I'm a carer for my mother and had to be back Sunday night without fail so my sister could head of home. I was exhausted, gutted and beyond tired.
I will check on Strava as at some point but I ride an extra 15 miles approximately do to a detour to the bike shop and DOUBLING BACK ON MYSELF TWICE. TWICE!
That was like a Greek tragedy in my head I can tell you.
Had 2 more crashes,both fairly bad. The last one coming down a fast, smooth decline to a gate.... broke too late and just managed to avoid the gate by streering left into bramble.... And a barbed wire fence....which slowed down my left arm and leg even further.....
I look like I've had a fight with a guy who was hitting me with wire wool.
My arse is on fire, my vision is a little odd and I was so out of it I didn't remind my son we had to go pick up my car when I aborted. So we went home to Kent before I even realised....So going so Winchester as I type, to pick it up!
Oh,a bloke in a car got out to have a fight with me because apparently I thought "I owned the road."
The ending to that little issue was comedy genius though!😂
Will post pics and more details in a day or so!
It’s an extraordinary thread. How are you crashing on the SDW? How are you getting lost on the A24?
i mean, kudos for trying and not being a quitter but surely there’s an easier way? 😳
You didn't so much ride the SDW as go to war with it by sounds of It ! Ten out of ten for effort poopscoop.
Hard luck. The SDW is a bit like 'Nam ,Man , as you leave a bit of yourself there ! 😉
You more than most. 🙂
How many crashes was that then on the SDW in 1 trip ?
Sounds like far more of an adventure than i've ever had doing the SDW that's for sure.
'Touching the Void' had nothing on this.
I’m not having a pop at Poopscoop but you have to really make an effort to crash five times on the SDW!
Chapeau on perseverance but good god man learn to crash less!
I'm thinking that maybe the SDW locals like myself should club together and guide Poopscoop on his next attempt of this epic journey.
Let get him from start to finish in one piece !
3rd time lucky they say........
Vicarious pleasure out of this. I've had to abandon my attempt this year due to an injured back. So I'll watch this thread and use it to fuel (hopefully) training for next year...
But, you don’t mention that you enjoyed it 😜🔥🙏
Sounds like a proper adventure!
I'm cooking up a unique SDW challenge to take place at the beginning of September; should be one to keep the forum riders chatting for a while.... just got to get used to hauling an incredibly heavy bike around for the day.
So if you want to tag along Poopscoop, there will be a wheel for you to get on for a bit of a tow.