Doing the SDW in a day soon leaving Winchester at stupid o’clock (probably around 04:30). Wondering if anyone has a tip for somewhere to get something resembling a breakfast 10 or 20 miles in, so probably around 6:00?

No time to stop if doing it in a day! Flapjacks, nuts and pork pies ftw.

From memory cafe at QECP (about quarter the way, you’ll be too early), half way at Amberley (or pub), two thirds the way just before Truleigh Hill YHA, soon after at Devils Dyke, ice cream van at Devils Dyke and then at Ditchling Beacon, YHA cafe at Southease, Pub and shop at Alfriston, Pub at the end of SDW – Pilot Inn.

Theres also the Cadence cycles cafe at Upwaltham.

When I did it we had breakfast at QECP.

Good sandwiches and coffee at Cadence at Upwaltham, but that’s more like 35-ish miles in.
It’s easy to find though as it is right on the SDW.

Did an early start at 5.30 back in August – nothing really open along that half of the route that early. QECP wasn’t open, and no coffee vans or the like along the top until much later so best be self-sufficient for that first half until you get to Upwaltham (opens @ 9)

THere is a coffee van in the layby just after you cross the adur and before truleigh hill.

I had heard that the Cadence just before Truleigh Hill YHA was moving east to the taps on the A27 – does anyone know if that has happened?

There is a coffee horsebox at the Jack and Jill usually

There is a pink horsebox coffee van at the top of streat bostal

Often an ice-cream van at the carpark just before Firle beacon at weekends

Thanks all. Cadence at Upwaltham seems like the spot to aim for then. I obviously plan to take plenty of food but I spilt my Frosties last time I tried to make breakfast whilst riding.

QECP is 40km from Winchester. There may be something at Meon Fisheries at Whitewool Farm depends on whether they’ve restocked their fridge – I’ve dived in there for a pork pie – or the Sustainabilty Centre cafe just after Wether Down (weekends only I think)

Cadence on Truleigh Hill is still there atm

Marvellous coffee at them Cadences.

Bad news is it was always worth a v.slight detour at the foot of the last climb, to the Eight Bells at Jevington. No more sadly, it’s now a very unwelcoming poncy restogastopub, so save beer money for the Pilot.

I’ve never used it, but someone here might know the times when the van cafe parks up on Old Winchester Hill.

I’ve never used it, but someone here might know the times when the van cafe parks up on Old Winchester Hill.

Not sure, but not 6.30amish i suspect 😉

Is the cafe at the East Meon sustainability centre still open?

Googled. Yes.

It was very decent a few years ago. We turned up absolutely soaked through and spent an hour in there, dripping all over the place, eating cakes and drinking tea and coffee and getting some warmth back in. Tehy were lovely about it. Cakes were good too.

Not open until 8:30, though, might be too late for you.

Not a cafe stop but as you come through QECP and drop down through the Hall Hills car park at the back of QECP and then carry on up a road towards the SDW, on the right you will see a stall outside a house/driveway with water, flap jacks, dog biscuits and a honesty box

Worth grabbing a couple of Flapjacks from there for £1 each, they put them out early in the morning, good size too

escrs
Not a cafe stop but as you come through QECP and drop down through the Hall Hills car park at the back of QECP and then carry on up a road towards the SDW, on the right you will see a stall outside a house/driveway with water, flap jacks, dog biscuits and a honesty box

Worth grabbing a couple of Flapjacks from there for £1 each, they put them out early in the morning, good size too

Good to know – thanks

Whiteways cafe small detour of 300mtr or so. Reckon its 5 to 5 1/2 hrs from the start if your making progress at a sensible pace.
Outdoors though, toilets en block too.

Cheers for advice all, I made it to Eastbourne in daylight. Took some food and can of coffee to eat on the tables at QECP, then got flapjack from house on way up as suggested.
Coffee and cake stop at Cadence, Upwaltham after 40 miles. Some hot food at Cadence, Truleigh after 60 miles, then dipping into gels and bars I had on the bike until the end. Passing through Alfriston late on I know the village store does a decent coffee and cake too but didn’t feel the need. Until next year then…

You did that today and finish already? There’s quite a tailwind but that’s amazing.
Well done

You did that today and finish already? There’s quite a tailwind but that’s amazing.
Well done

Not quite! Rode Saturday, and didn’t have the energy to open the laptop to post yesterday.

Nice one, @jenky.
Well done.

To finish before dark at this time of year is impressive. Nice work.

I did start at 4am!