[Closed] PSA - Tonight BBC 4 9pm "South Downs, England's Mountains Green"

Cheers fella. Don't know it at all, so that'll be interesting.

I'll be sat in a flat cap, stroking a whippet, and tutting obviously 😉

Obvz, we'd expect n'owt else w'od w'e.

😆

Genuinely interested as I've recently illustrated the Downs, and it's the first time I've done a landscape I don't really know, purely from photographs. So I'm really interested in seeing it and getting a feel for it

Hopefully I'll get down to ride it in person soon

The South Downs are beautiful.

However, to call them "mountains" is just so Southern. Soft ****s! 🙂

Agreed, I didn't write that title.

If I did it'd be:

"South Downs, a few bumps along the way to the Sea. Wrap your shawl Edna, and drink up your tea dear"

Image link Binners?

Cheers OP. Watching from my living room. Saw a yellow van with cherry picker up at Chanctonbury Ring last summer, suspected it might be part of film crew.

Did you see the caterpillar feeding ants it's sugary dumps?!

Riding rubbish, it's really flat and boring and there's no Singletrack in Friston or Stanmer.

Though there is a school of thought amongst the locals that a 160mm gnarrpoon will be faster than a 100mm HT.

He speaks really, really oddly.

He speaks really, really oddly.

yeah, turned it off 😕

I like the riding. Bimblers Paradise.

It's a great show so far

great riding, but what i think of as 'big sky' - long climbs with great views rather than gnarly singletrack.

Agreed. panoramic sky's on every ride. It's makes for great rambling cathartic riding.

Did anyone catch the name/location of his local pub?

Well, Wow.

I am honoured and humbled to be part of this landscape. To live and breath the seasons, to see and feel the land and waters that flow.

Each day goes by I see those hills and people who make this land our home.

The presenter gave a simple and touching feel to the programme, a man I'd share a pint with.

Utterly brilliant.

Ride the shit out of the SDW, grumble and strain as you ride along the backbone of my Soul.

Well, Wow.

I am honoured and humbled to be part of this landscape. To live and breath the seasons, to see and feel the land and waters that flow.

Each day goes by I see those hills and people who make this land our home.

The presenter gave a simple and touching feel to the programme, a man I'd share a pint with.

Utterly brilliant.

Ride the shit out of the SDW, grumble and strain as you ride along the backbone of my Soul.

I didn't see it BTW.

Well said bikebouy. Also made me feel very proud, and I enjoyed Nicks honest delivery.

slimjim78 - Member

Did anyone catch the name/location of his local pub?

that was The Ram in Firle

Bugger, didn't realise this was on. One of my favourite stretches to run/ride/walk. [url= http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b08fsbtk ]iPlayer [/url]to the rescue. Ta for the PSA.

Still haven't watched the Blencathra one 😳 will download this later

He grated on me slightly to start but I warmed to him after a while, beautifully put together programme.

Mint Sauce captures the essence of mountain biking and it was all set in South Downs.

There's no 'big sky' feeling like the SDW over 2 days in June.

Ditchling Devil last summer was epic.

South Downs are an under-appreciated jewel of SE England

Easy now, we don't like folks not from round here round here.

Sorry, but that was full of technical inaccuracies and some footage of stuff that was not where they said it was. This place is where I work and play. I spend a great deal of my time in the places that he was spouting tosh about and there are far better stories to be told than those they glossed over here.

The photography was great, but they obviously were limited on their filming days. The stories that can be told are limited but so few days in the field. That was a collection of a few days out at specific sites strung together with some shots without the presenter showing the Downs with varying degrees of success.

I suppose I am disappointed by such a lacklustre production of such an amazing place. There was also no reality check on the pressures on the environment and the amount of effort that goes in to protecting, managing and putting right some of the practices that have destroyed much of the downland's fragile ecosystem. For example the spread of the otter population is as much down to the decrease in persecution as it is to anything else. I have been lucky enough to see otters, see spawning salmon in winter streams, found out how the whole downland ecosystem is linked. It is a very rare type of habitat and this barely scratched the surface. As mentioned by brooess Mint captures the essence of the Downs far better than that hour did. Jo captures the small things that change on the downs very well indeed.

Definitely a sense of a missed opportunity.

Steady now, you're stamping on the soul of bikebouy's backbone. Or something.

Manton, are you attempting to steal my crown of negativity?

The programme has encouraged me to head further afield, seek out those blue butterflies, see the view from Black Down for myself, search for that writers/artists meeting house, sample the best of the fizzy English wine, visit Seven Sisters again, and we even plotted the walk to Cissbury Ring (under 2 hours away, brilliant!). Above all, I soaked in the camera work, which well captured the beauty of the rolling hills.

Not bad for an hours work.

Definitely a sense of a missed opportunity.

Agreed.

We should do more of these "regional" programmes. The UK needs showcasing, bringing all the beauty and local knowledge out to the masses.

I'm certainly looking forward to a Welsh one (olo did a good one not so long back) what about the north west, say the Morecambe coastline up to the lakes? Or an Essex one like Robson Green just did ? Or Northamptonshire or Berkshire or flipping ek, anywhere of natural interest...

Whilst it's blowing it's tits off down here, I've gathered a couple of mates together and we're riding the eastern Downs tomorrow..

i tried to watch it but had to turn it off - so much pretentious claptrap.

We should do more of these "regional" programmes. The UK needs showcasing, bringing all the beauty and local knowledge out to the masses.

Save £10m+ not having Graham Norton Friday nonsense or Lineker host MOTD

One thing the TdF does is showcase France, it was one of the founding objectives. Yes agreed we need much more of this. Coast did it a bit as did Dimbelby's Art related tour years ago.

I'm sure more can be done with the "slow TV" idea to show off the wonderful natural environment we have. Just leave out the music OK?

Oh and jambalaya is dead right about the TdF and the French countryside. The Yorkshire Grand Depart did the same for ours.

[b]I[/b] [b]C[/b]an't [b]E[/b]mphasize [b]E[/b]nough [b]H[/b]ow [b]M[/b]uch [b]T[/b]he [b]P[/b]resenter [b]I[/b]rritated [b]M[/b]e.

I really enjoyed it.

Learnt a few things got to see some familiar places from unfamiliar angles.

I walk the dog on the Downs around Brighton for a couple of hours every day, cycle on them a few times a week. I love them.

I know Terry Pratchett was talking about a different chalk in the Tiffany Aching books but there's a solidity and strength under that gentle rolling countryside - an assertion that there's a welcoming exterior that will bend to an extent but a flint core that will resist beyond that point.

The Sussex phrase 'We wunt be druv' maybe sums it up for me https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/We_wunt_be_druv - I think it applies to the Downs too.

Watched first two thirds this morning whilst doing other stuff, enjoyed what I saw, it was more non chalk ridge based than I thought it would be.

Think I'm quite lucky as Black Down, Marley Common, Fernhurst, Selbourne and even Kingley Vale are all on mtb routes from my doorstep, Ebernoe aint far either and features on road rides out on to the Weald too.

He spoke in a weird way.

Good to see some bits of the downs I'm not familiar with (being at the western end).

Riding rubbish, it's really flat and boring and there's no Singletrack in Friston or Stanmer.

Though there is a school of thought amongst the locals that a 160mm gnarrpoon will be faster than a 100mm HT.

Or some weirdy belt drive singlespeed nonsense. And the people are peculiar and say things "We wunt be druv".

[img] [/img]

FWIW I thought the presenter was good. Quirky, interesting way of speaking, genuine enthusiasm, different. Do we really want sanitised Middle England voice-overs for everything?
I grew up on the South Downs, so it's a special place to me, and I think he distilled some of the "specialness" 8)

I didn't watch it, but I've recorded it. Will probably give it a viewing this evening

pictonroad - Member

Image link Binners?

there tha goes....

[url= https://c1.staticflickr.com/6/5478/30912185620_a21a4f6ee2_b.jp g" target="_blank">https://c1.staticflickr.com/6/5478/30912185620_a21a4f6ee2_b.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/P6B2PA ]Leith Hill[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/14162682@N00/ ]bin lid[/url], on Flickr

Done for Peekay, of this parish, as its his playground, and features himself and his better half. The North Downs, not South, specifically Leith Hill. Interesting to do somewhere I don't know, and have never ridden. I generally take a somewhat 'loose' attitude to geography with my pictures, and instead try and capture a 'feel' of it instead, which can quite often be very different. So watching this should be really interesting

We all speak like that down south 😉

watched about 2/3rds. Grew up in the area and it was nice to see, brought back a lot of memories. Somewhat disappointed my belief all the yews were planted to make bows for Agincourt was wrong though.

With all his talk of neolithic hill forts, he forgot to mention what good mtb jumps they make (for a 15 year old self, I would naturally be more responsible now 😆 )

Very nice Sir, very nice indeed.

If the programme inspired anyone to get out and live the Downs, then thats great.

FWIW I loved the presenter, a Guy from the area with great local knowledge of his bit East, and discovering our bit West. Loved his accent, a direct tone and clear and precise.. (unlike the plethora of complaints the Beeb are getting for the over embellished, hard to hear what the actors are saying, "epics" of late)

Glad the programme didn't focus on just one bit, glad it featured some sections that are rarely seen from a car window at 60mph. Some broad history enough to make you think..Oh, whats down there..

Definitely should be more "regional" programmes like this.

bikebouy - Next time I'm down at our kids in London, I'm definitely taking the bike, and I'm going to get out on the downs. Fancy volunteering for guiding duties?

I'm half way through it. We there be advice concerning the best tyres for wet chalk?

Nice photography and clearly a beautiful place

Found the presenter a little odd. Struck me as somebody from a privileged background (Africa hence accent perhaps?) and was a bit to 'head in the clouds'

No mention of difficulties for young folk in the area (which I'm sure are there) etc

6/10

Confused, what am I supposed to do if I meet someone that I assume is from a privileged background on the SDW?

I feel privileged to live literally within a stones throw of the SDW, within a National Park. I'm not from Africa though.

No mention of difficulties for young folk in the area (which I'm sure are there) etc

This confuses me more though. In a 'WTF?' kind of way.

No mention of difficulties for young folk in the area

They have it tough, no uplift at Steyning. That hill is a killer climb back to the top 🙂

Try riding up Bostal every ride as a 'warm up'..

I could do with the fitness boost but....no thanks 🙂

They also neglected to film all the fridges dumped on Windover Hill. Those yew trees were awesome though.

The South Downs on a hot sunny mid summers day is just wonderful. The views just go on and on and on.
Need to get over there from the Island this year, overdue a ride on the SDW!

Binners , be a pleasure. Let me know near the day/date.

I know of some decent pubs too.

Thats them Northern Surrey Hills Binners, not the South Downs. 😉 They're both splendid riding though the appeal is different for each.

Get in touch if you're down, I'll join in.

#BuryBinners
I'll join in. I have a lovely loop that starts by the masts above Fishbourne Roman Palace and heads out North to the TV mast not far from Rogate , then back via Midhurst

OooWee, a STW bimble in the Downs.. 😀

I have a nice *flat* scenic route at the Eastern end, with such strava segment names as "OMG are you serious"', the B'stard, Windover Express Elevator and Fight Club. Be happy to show you round.

*flat* may well be a lie.

Me Me! I wanna come!

Oh and @Twiglet Monster, "no more hills, just a few cheeky lumps.......".

Shit, what have we started ?

In true fashion I went to the pub tonight, grabbed a pint of Hampshires finest and reached over for a book, this looked perfect..
Like most of the country, we were blasted by it, hard.

When Storms were "Storms" and photographs were on film..
[img] [/img]

I'm just off the east end of the SD too! Often ride from Jevington, up the long man, through Alfriston, up Firle Beacon, down to Seaford and finish in Friston.

I live a 100m or so from the south downs national park and while I appreciate my local area I am certainly guilty of taking it for granted. This programme just made me fall in love with this place a bit more. Can't wait for summer now!

Binners get the map / Google out ... [b]very roughly[/b] North Downs runs from Guildford (or maybe Hascombe) to Dorking ... the South Downs from Winchester to Eastbourne.

just started watching it now (as someone from the North Downs)
I think I need a new map. Can't find Waynechester or the Himarliers. Must read up on aquifiers too. That accent might get annoying soon.

PS and the North Downs run way beyond Dorking all the way to the White Cliffs of Dover

Enjoyed the programme......... thought the presenter a bit quirky, but that actually was a plus......it would have been a lot less interesting if they had Titchmarsh or Humble f'instance.
However, no mention of the nutters who do the SDW Double
I ride up Plumpton Bostall sometimes, but Streat Hill Farm lane is a bit steeper!

Just caught up on it. Now I know nothing about the South Downs and being a Northerner I like proper big hills so I wasn't expecting much.

I was enormously impressed, some wonderful and very varied terrain. I think I shall have to visit. Oh and I liked the programme too.

South Downs bimble? I'm in! 🙂

bikebuoy - remember that well. I was in secondary school - 2 classrooms lost their roofs and we had a week off. Bonkers amount of trees down.

Wonderful programme.
The chap's passion for the area was fantastic and I really warmed to him as the programme went on. Having just read up about him he really does seem like a good egg.

I'm also in for the Binners Bimble.

Well I'm somewhere in the middle, I could set up a refreshment/cake pit stop en route

I enjoyed that - thanks for the PSA. Did I miss the bit where they explained why the presenter was wearing a cowboy outfit?

Really enjoyed the programme but have to admit my slight local bias with the national park being about 5minutes ride from my front door. I've heard the whole of the South Downs described as "flat" "rolling" and "no real hills" . True there are no real mountains but obviously people who say it's flat haven't gone riding with Ming the Merciless on one of his Imperial Tours or "Long Mans revenge" rides 8)

As for singletrack, Friston? Stanmer? Whiteways? Kingsley Vale? QECP? Nothing to see there, move on 😉

roughly North Downs runs from Guildford (or maybe Hascombe) to Dorking

Very roughly - North Downs are generally regarded to go from Farnham to Dover.

Reeth, N. Yorkshire...

Hope you can see the video.

Cheers
Paul

Very roughly - North Downs are generally regarded to go from Farnham to Dover.

This - we've even got a little sculpture in Farnham noting the fact it's the start of the NDW.

And living in Guildford, I can easily testify from regularly riding either east or west onto the North Downs that although lacking the absolute height of their southern neighbours, there's still enough steepness to count as a decent a warm up.

Apparently the ND to the east of London aren't so good, either in terrain, scenery, or under tyre conditions. A mate and I have hypothesized several times about a ND/SD circuit - but the obvious link is the Downslink and that means you use hardly any of the NDW, so maybe picking up some of the offroad LTB route and hitting the SDW at Brighton before heading west, leave the SDW at somewhere around maybe Kingley and head back North....... some time and a map is needed. Maybe in a pub.

Depends what you mean by "isn't so good". They're certainly not flat, at least at the Surrey/North-West Kent end. And the highest points in North and South Downs are the same to within about 3 feet afaik.
Certainly a long old slog riding up the steep side of the escarpment.
All the best bits as an MTBer are footpaths, with no cycling signs. I used to be a roadie around there before defecting.
Might not be as hilly as the Peak District or somewhere, but it's not flat. The Fens are flat.
Dover to Farnham to Winchester to Eastbourne would be a fun ride.

As a local to the South downs national park i think it captured the essence of the park perfectly.

The south downs are a soft landscape in terms of the views being easy on the eye and the hills gently roll and fold over and into each other. There aren't any rocks, we don't have any water falls, there are no hard edges, so its not like some of the other national parks in the country. It's different and as such stands up to scrutiny on its own.

I think the programme fairly reflected that it's mostly a managed landscape and the look results from the agriculture taking place. Yes there are pockets of 'wilderness' but it's mostly a worked landscape, but still magical.

I would sum up the downs as windy and wet in the winter, hot and dusty in the summer but always a big view landscape.

will look back here for bimble updates, am in the area 18th of march and sad i am missing the epic echappee because of it. a bimble would quite make up for that.

What i mean is:

http://www.nationaltrail.co.uk/north-downs-way/information

Can I ride or cycle on the Trail?
The North Downs Way is predominantly for walkers. However of the 153 miles (246 kilometres), 31 miles (50 kms) are public bridleway, 21 miles (33 kms) are Byway or Restricted Byway and 30 miles (48 kms) are metalled road. Horse riding and cycling is not permitted on footpaths.

So only half of it is actually accessible (officially) and a chunk of that is on roads. Also that IME it can get very muddy in places which makes cycling on it a chore. At least on the SDW it isn't so prone to mud (although there are sections) - they get green chalk which is some trade-off!!

Lovely views & underestimate those hills at your peril.
Btw ,If you do a #burybinners south downs ride , I''d be happy to come along and translate for the Lowlanders. 😀

I'd be up for a show binners the Downs jolly.

Bit of wooded singletrack at Stanmer too?