[Closed] South Downs Way Double in 24 hours. How hard can that be ?

You're a mental for even thinking about it, but good luck to you mate. You're probbly the type of person who could achieve it actually. I've seen your thousand yard stare at Mayhem... 😯

And if you decide to go ahead, ittud be an honour and a pleasure to join you for at least part of the journey.

Do it for charidee? Bulheart?

If it was a given would it be worth doing?

You're probably in with as good a chance as anyone but bear in mind that if you do it 'alpine style' you'll have to carry 24 hours worth of nutrition and rely on the available water supplies on the route.

I managed it this year, so anyone can do it! No really, I'm not joking. Please feel free to contact me if you've any questions. I live in North Wales, so not being being local wasn't a factor.

Yeah, if I knew I could do it, it wouldn't be a challenge, but then I don't want to drive 130 miles to waste my time attempting the impossible.
I did 5000m of climbing at SITS and it's the climbs that really knock me back.
Would the 1100m less climbing on SDW equal an extra 80km though. Carrying a backpack as well if unsupported.

There's some very useful information here, http://www.southdownsdouble.net/routeinfo.html
Looks like I would never be more than 13 miles from the next water.
I know how much I eat during 24 hour solos and it would easily fit in a backpack.

It would be good to have some company on sections of the ride.
I hadn't really thought about sponsorship. It's more of a personal challenge to me.

as a local and having ridden it in a day i would think that an alpine attempt really needs a scouting mission first (could tie it in with training);

Some bits of the route are tricky (gps would help) but some of the taps are tricky to find. Indeed one i have never found?!

Well I'd be happy to ride long for some of it, and support you on your quest, Graham.

And as for the charidee thing; folks could just bung a couple of quid into the [url= http://www.justgiving.com/TeamBullheart ]Bullheart Justgiving[/url] page, and mention your endeavours. Up to you of course though mate. Seems too good an opportunity to waste mind!

And let's see if we can't get a support crew going for you, if you want. I'm sure plenty on here would be only too happy to help you out on such a monstrous challenge.

Where are you getting your figures from? According to http://www.bikedowns.co.uk/Profile%20All.htm there is 3553m of climbing W-E and 3611m E-W.

I have done Winchester to Brighton and Brighton to Eastbourne, you need to be used to riding long hard climbs.

The wind can also be a real factor. I think most of those who have failed have done so due to this fact.

It normally blows from the Southwest so if you do it as most people seem to from West to East to West then you'll have it in your face for the return leg. Not nice 🙁

Good luck if you do try it. Personally i can't think of anything more boring than riding the SDW all day but each to their own 😉

as above - it's about 12000ft of climbing [i]each way[/i] - there's not much just 'going along a flat bit'

Looks like I would never be more than 13 miles from the next water.

don't bank on that. some taps get vandalised. others stop working. some have disappear.

i'm not sure of a tap between winchester and cocking either. 30+ miles

Is it essential to you that you do it alpine style in the conventional way? If not you could park along the route and do it in 2 loops meaning you wouldn't have to carry as much stuff. You could choose a halfway point or you could choose a point where you have a long loop which stretches you but you're confident you could do and a smaller loop to complete the whole thing if you feel up to it. You could do from South Harting to Eastbourne and back which is the original route and then do the Winchester extension and return.

I'm a local (Brighton), have done it one way and would like to think I might have a go at the double one day (when I grow up)... I saw you going round (and round and round) at SITS and I think if you can do that for 24 hours then already you have the mental (and posterior) toughness to do it!

As above, the elevation gain isn't 3900m for 320km, it's twice that - about 25,000ft in total!

Good luck if you decide to go for it, it would be a fantastic achievement. I definitley think a scouting mission would be massive help to the endeavour. I'd try it one way in a day and see what time you can do - that should give you a pretty good idea of the terrain, tap locations and how you'd fare on the return leg.

Taps: Don't think there's a tap between Winchester and Cocking but if the QECP visitor centre is open when you pass, you can fill up there. Vandalism isn't too bad on taps - the only one that seems to get broken regularly is the one at Botolphs and that's only useful on the way back (you dont' want to fill up there and then carry all that water up Truliegh Hill when there's another tap at the top!)

Graham,

Do it!! It's not a technical singletrack fest, but it is so pleasing to cover the distance. I did Eastbourne to Winchester earlier this year and agree totally with thomthumb above - scout it first. When you get tired (and in the dark will be worse) it can be easy to get lost. Your average speed will be high due to the smooth and hard surface (if it's dry!) and so missing a signpost is very easy.

Buy the SDW Harveys map (waterproof and durable) and get familiar with all the main areas.

Beware of taps also as they don't all work. There are plenty between Amberley and Eastbourne but a lot less in the west.

I'd suggest doing this:[/url][url= http://www.trailbreak.co.uk/maxx_exp/ ]Exposure SDW night enduro[/url]. It'll get you started in your training and you can tick off that section of scouting. Then in early spring head down and do Winchester to Eastbourne, perhaps starting at lunch time and finishing in the dark?

Then smash it in May when trails are hard packed and dry.

Best of luck - please email if you want more advice or enthusiasm for this challenge!

Whoops, that's my first setback, I didn't read it properly. 😳
I got the figure of 12700ft from http://www.southdownsdouble.net/routeinfo.html Despite the site being called southdowns[b]double[/b] that figure is for one way. 😕
7000m of climbing puts a whole new perspective on it.
I'm beginning to think this could be beyond me.

avdave2 - you can do it how you like - I think most people follow the 'norm' as it defines the challenge more clearly and gives them a basis for comparison.

Having a helper follow the route and hand out water/food is fairly common and having mates come along for a bti and do the gates for you is another - they both move away from the 'alpine' ethos but it's a personal challenge as much as anything so no reason not to do either.

From your other endurance "results" it would appear that you are in the ball park for ability surely, with enough lee way to still make it a challenge. Personally I'd still want to attempt it one way just to get the lay of the land. I can't imagine that just turning up without any experience of the area would help you to achieve the desired effect. If you just simply wanted to ride "there and back" for the hell of it with no time constraint you surely could, but I would imagine some sort of reccy is required before attempting the double in 24hrs, especially if you do have to end up doing it with no support.

i'm not sure of a tap between winchester and cocking either. 30+ miles

There is one at the back of the cafe in the QE park. It's round where the bins are! I had to ask to find it.

The only tap I know isn't working at the moment is the one at Beeding.

I'm also happy to hook up for a session. Have been longing to find the time to do the SDW in a day - there's no way I'd attempt the double. That is proper nutjobville.

Like others have said, there are plenty of sections where you can easily miss a turning. And heading 1 mile downhill in the wrong direction means climbing back up.

Thanks for all the replies, advice and offers of help.
This is still a long term daydream for me. It definitely won't be this year.
I like the idea of starting in the middle and doing it as two out and back loops. That way I would only need to carry lights and warm clothing for the half where they're needed.
I'll do a few local epics first to get the feel of riding long distance unsupported.
If I get to the stage where I think I'm in with a chance, I'll drive down to the midway point one Sunday, then see how far West I can ride in 6 hours before turning round.
Do the same to the East another Sunday, then see if I still think it's a realistic goal.

+++1 on reccying it. Having done the Pennine Bridleway Double, I reccied it on 2 occasions, plus knew the Mary Townley Loop very well anyway. As others have said, when you're tired and it's night time you need it handed to you on a plate, you do not want to have to think.

There's also a big difference between lapping 24h races (going past pits every hour) and doing a ride into the wilds up to 100 mile from home, often without access to water or food.

I carried 9000 calories with me and used most of it. Pack it into your pack + water and see how it feels.

yep dont underestimate the mental stimulus by riding in groups/near other riders

ive done 24s , silly long audaxes and even fairly silly long solo road rides

WHW with its gates and stop start push nature coupled with a lack of mental stimulus ****ed with my head.

I don't think you'd manage. I've done Bristol 12 a few times but have only done one 24 hour race and I didn't get anywhere near double my 12 hour distance. And I've done the one-way SDW once and found that hard enough that I know there's absolutely no way I'd have managed the double.

You need to have recc'ed the route anyway to find out where the taps are so you may as well use that to see out how hard one way feels for you.

It is strange but what the above guys are saying is true - it can feel "lonely" and "wild" although London is just over there and there are always people just a few miles away.

When I did it I had a few panic moments of "have I got enough food?" or "what if I rip a sidewall and wreck my last tube?"!! All cured in a minute remembering that you're not in Alaska but the feeling of being on your own is in your mind a lot. That was part of the enjoyment. It's also great to turn round on Cheesefoot head, the last hill, and look back along the ridge and know you've gone 100miles from Eastbourne. That's a good feeling.

I did run out of food with 20 miles to go but a really nice man gave me a pack of Dextro energy!!

200 gates I think, if you are doing it both ways!

done it one way almost killed me, but im a bit fitter now and have a lighter bike.. if you want some one to ride along let me know, do you mind if we stop every few hours so i can have a bong or two.. and maybe some cider

From a driving to it perspective Washington sits on the A24 & is about 1/2 way - so the easiest mid way point to get to I'd think. If you wanted to go for the double loop from the middle.

Yep do the West loop first as most think the climbs are harder.

It's interesting to note the route is a there and back route whereas at Eastbourne the SDW actually does a loop at the end. So just bear it in mind when look at the signposts (particularly if tired).

Good point about the solitary nature of it, alanbill99.
I find, when riding 24s, having someone shout "Go Vegan" to me at least once a lap and knowing I can come back to my tent and deck chair at the end of every lap for a sit down and some food if I need to is a big help.
Being on my own miles from anywhere with only what I'm carrying to eat and drink would be very different.

I started this thread to see if it was a realistic goal.
I still don't know if it is, but I've got a few ideas now on how to work up to it.
So, my very loose training programme is;

1. Do some 12+ hour epics from home.
I've ridden 12+ hours and I've ridden with a loaded backpack, but never both at the same time.

2. Recce the route. Drive down there and ride it in sections.

I did two seperate reccie trips from North Wales for my SDD. First time camped at Washington and did two days of out and backs to cover 99% of the route. Next trip I stayed at Winchester and again rode an out and back. I thought it important to know the night section well. I had no GPS and to be honest, it's so well signed and well worn, I wouldn't bother. As far as training, I got my bike in March and completed it in July. The longest mtb training ride was approx 13hrs. Have faith in your ability and if you want it enough you'll do it. Simples 😀

[url= http://connect.garmin.com/activity/106311084 ]This[/url] was effectively my 8th SDWiaD trip since 2004.

I had two attempts at the double in 09, my best attempt involved woosing out after 15 hours / 130 miles; - [url= http://connect.garmin.com/activity/11348668 ]Ebo - Amberley[/url] & [url= http://connect.garmin.com/activity/11348661 ]Amberley - Winch - Cocking
[/url]
Some of the signage is pants in daylight and having chugged along there at night, in fog, trust me, a GPS is worth it's weight in gold.

Aside from various 6 - 12 hour bimbles on the SDW I've only done the Marin D2D as a race so can't comment on how riding a 12 or 24 hour event would prepare you.

The isolation actually appeals to me though there are some spooky mofo sections at night so I'd defo recommend taking some music with you.

I'm also seriously considering this. I want to do some big rides next year; LEJOG in 5 days, a 24hr event plus a few other longer rides in preparation for the TD the year after.

I'm planning on hopefully doing it one way before the end of the year. From what I've read, a cyclo-x bike might be a better bet than my 26'er xc bike - a 29'er would be the best of both worlds.

No offense intended, but I don't think you'd manage it in 24 hours. I suspect you'd manage it (assuming no mechanicals etc), but not in 24 hours. More than 50% more than you achieved at SiTS, on (significantly) more demanding terrain. Unless you felt you were cruising at SiTS that's a massive massive jump.

A very very fit friend (elite XC racer with top 24 solo experience) did one of (if not) the first doubles with a friend, before it became fashionable, did it supported, and still was just outside 24 hours riding, let alone faff time. Admittedly I think he'd admit they weren't going absolutely balls out, but it's a big effort.

I think you'll be fine, what with yuor 12+hr marathons and all that. It's mainly fast rolling stuff, some hard climbs granted but it's easy enough IMO and I've done it 3 times now (one way only mind)

I'd leave the lycra at home though.

Another account of a double [url= http://bikemagic.com/news/guest-blog/kevin-izzard-joins-south-downs-double-club.html ]here.[/url]

I reckon go for it but don't worry about the time. Sure it would be nice to say you have done it in 24 hours but is that really important? It would be a real shame to do it and then think you've failed because it took you longer than a 24 hours. If you set off with just riding it non stop as the goal then if you make it you'll feel brilliant and will still have achieved far more than most of us ever will.

Just going back to Daisy Duke's mare of a trip and hearing how he did finish after all the probs he had in the first 5 hours, I felt even more of a woose for bailing with some minor ailments.

[i]If[/i] I keep my fitness up over this winter, I will have another go next year, just to prove a point to myself.

Oh and the SDD website is out of date. I know a local chap who did very well in the National 24 hour road TT event in June and then 3 weeks later finally cracked doing the double.

avdave2's point is spot on. I had every intention of completing it within 24hrs, but there are so many things that conspire against you along the route that it would be a shame not to give it a try. Better to complete, than not to try at all. Sure I'll I'll have another crack at somepoint, but I need to hatch a plan for 2012 first!

As a tester why not plan a weekend away staying at Truleigh Hill YHA .
Its almost the middle in terms of distance, but abit nearer Eastbourne.
On Sat afto ride out for 3 - 4 hours East, then double back on yourself. R & R at YH overnight , then Sun am ride West for 3 - 4 hours , then return and head home.
You will have covered most of it by then , and by doubling back learnt the gates / hills / junctions better than just a one way ride.
Its a horrendous effort to get to one end , then turn round .
There was a write up of a rider on here who got caught out in the rain , whilst starting a SDD and ended up hypothermic in Amberly Station. I cant find it just now though

Found it.-
http://www.singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/this-friday-24th-june-sdw-in-a-day-whos-in-roll-call/page/3
Half way down ish

I'd leave the lycra at home though.

Huh? Why? It's the most appropriate clothing for the job!

Graham; even if you don't go for the double inside 24 hours, if you're going to do it, I'll still support you mate. In fact, I can pretty much guarantee you us Soft Southern Shandy Drinkers will be on hand throughout the route to ride along, bring you sustenance and generally give support.

Do it for Bullheart and you won't want for helpers, trust me. Plus, you'll be a legend.

I have every confidence you can do it mate.

A friend of a friend did, until recently, hold the the record for SDW each way in under 24 alpine style. He's a rep for 'dale, cx and road racer and all round bloody nice guy. I'm sure he wouldn't mind if you gave him a shout - @cottydale on twitter - if you tweet. I also know @johnmcfaul and @james_bowthorpe aborted an each way attempt earlier this summer and might be worth asking.

It's certainly possible, but it's bloody tough. Me, I'm psyching myself up for a one way in two day attempt! But, then I saw you sprint past me many a time at Erlestoke - I was pretty much in awe of your stamina!

Hi Graham

I did a one way trip W-E just a couple of weeks ago by myself in 10 1/2hr but that was with meeting my partner at Cocking and Bo peep Farm and I am not the fittest person alive and it was the longest ride I've done. You will meet quite a few people to chat too and get encouragment from along the route. To be honest Some of the climbs are hard long slogs especailly the eastbourne end and there is not many just flat bits. I would also agree that a GPS would be a real help as some of the signage is not great in places.

Go on give it ago even if you don't do it in the 24hrs at least you can say you did it.

give us a shout if you want a hand on a recce trip. i'm based at the winchester end and ridden that end quite a bit...

email in profile

No offense intended, but I don't think you'd manage it in 24 hours

So that means [i]if[/i] I'm going to attempt it, and it is still [i]if[/i], does that make it easier, because I'm allowing myself more time, or harder, because I'm on the bike for longer ?

Other things I've been thinking about today;
I was wondering how old everyone on [url= http://www.southdownsdouble.net/hof.html ]this list[/url] is. I did wonder if I might be the first veteran to do it, but looking at [url= http://bikemagic.com/news/guest-blog/kevin-izzard-joins-south-downs-double-club.html ]Kevin Izzard[/url], I'm guessing not.

Also, it's a long way to go just because it's an established challenge.
On the one hand, it's good that it's a well known route and challenge, anyone can look up previous times and read about other people's attempts.
On the other hand, it would be a lot easier to do something from home, but then saying I rode The Mercian Way or Avon Ring in x hours would be meaningless to most people. These challenges have got to start somewhere though. Someone's got to be the first to do a route.

Other things I've been thinking about today;
I was wondering how old everyone on this list is. I did wonder if I might be the first veteran to do it, but looking at Kevin Izzard, I'm guessing not.

I'm nearly 43.

I worked with Ant Gray a couple of years back and he's a similar age. I believe Neil Newell is mid 40's.

However, age is almost irrelevant. [url= http://cyclingtimetrials.org.uk/Default.aspx?&ge390__geka=0qr-ktkYrcYzPU7-JC7bf4TEQVysEdko9FNyoET_y_U4uDwOvQZxQjcFINd3LL9jm7iYsY1rBUcrws3E6SzVDRUnvr_e5iydEYKPdk5uSHuU3nXpHppA3ia0lD3XIDvghuXt-v7GkN4wlOwv4lQHc_P9FbX3cv3P7h6ownGNIkE&ge390__gevi=bkosVTEcmXX5ekdECVvBmA&gv391__gvac=2&gv391__gvff0=3288&gv391__gvfl0=0&language=en-GB&tabid=62 ]Here's the start sheet[/url] for the National 24 hours we had down here in June and as you can see, most of the field was 40 plus.

[url= http://cyclingtimetrials.org.uk/Default.aspx?&ge482__geka=8sW2Q7VKZmF8CUWP7ygm7riwpLFKNCEAIlX03Hp4_FhPDrktfqfkoQzxx15QQk__CWlsziSKUv3AcCxAYsrrpMacduPMw4LZB27J210xL5GqJAWEa-p9Ps9FjXHF-IPYzmah0w8Cvr0zSG20ncH4AKVjW6xix4y3u93a3FrWIM90DWL43xoWXOqdDfEiyJ2M&ge482__gevi=bkosVTEcmXX5ekdECVvBmA&gv484__gvff0=56363&gv484__gvfl0=0&gv676__gvac=2&language=en-GB&tabid=109 ]Here are the results[/url] if you want to see (well) how the old farts did.

If you're looking for alternative challenges then this woudl be a good place to start;

[url= http://www.ride7ds.com/ ]http://www.ride7ds.com/[/url]

Rob Lee's list of endurance rides. He said on a blog he'd be completing the site shortly.

I think it would be a harder ride than a 24 solo, assuming you actually just keep going, rather than stopping and camping. And no you certainly wouldn't be the first vet, nor SS, nor rigid, if you went down those routes!

All in all, I think it's best if I forget it for now.
I feel like I'm letting down all the people who have offered to help, but better now than to leave them waiting for me at a road crossing with fig rolls and water, only to find I've turned round and gone home.

I've got other commitments over the next few weeks, <spam> I'm putting on a [url= http://www.midlandtrailquests.co.uk/events-and-results/event-details.php?e=137 ]trailquest in the Wyre Forest[/url] and helping with [url= http://www.midlandtrailquests.co.uk/events-and-results/event-details.php?e=143# ]another one on Wenlock Edge[/url]</spam>.

I'll try to fit the [url= http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stourport_Ring ]Stourport Ring[/url] in between those dates, or at least this year before the days get shorter. That'll be close to 100 miles for me if I start from home, so it's a good first epic, then I'll see where I go from there.

Why? I think it would be a better achievement than a 24 Solo, you'd not be letting anyone down if you didn't do it in 24 hours!

Unless the tracks are very well surfaced, more or less like a road,

Plenty of your normal hardpack in parts, but also loads of flinty/chalky/rocky/pebbly stuff too (particularly on the ups and downs).

I'm with Njee20; I don't think it's an issue if you don't do it in 24 hours. To do it in one go is a massive, massive achievement I don't think I or most people on this forum feel they would be capable of. If you did it in one go, regardless of time, I'd say that's a tremendous thing to have done.

Plus, you could help raise money for a fantastic cause.

Go Vegan! 🙂

you'd not be letting anyone down if you didn't do it in 24 hours

I'll keep it as a long term plan, but in the meanwhile, I'll stick to making up my own local challenges.

Why not try the complete 200mile route in two days. Will give you a good idea of what it feels like.

Yeah, that could be a good intermediate challenge, but then we're getting in to bivi trips or hostelling, which is a whole different thing.
It would give me an idea of my time for the single route and how unrealistic the double would be.

I can't help thinking though, that if I'm not going to do the double non-stop, then it's no longer a specific challenge, it's just a long off road bike ride.
If that's all I'm doing, then there's no point in driving 150 miles to get there. I might as well just set off from home up the Mercian Way

It depends what sort of challenge you're looking for
- if for the adventure of riding it then just prepare and go
- if for a competitive time then check out the route first and then do it

Could use the two day trip as training? It's also good to know the route in your head. If you've not seen the landscape before it's a good idea to know which bits are toughies and which bits are more straight forward. I know it's a pain in the butt driving down there, but important you're familiar with the route before hand. Think I must have ridden it over three times in total before my SDD.

I did the SDW at the weekend, one way. Done it a few time before in a group. Done it there and back in 48hr bivying. In a day with a group and 3 failed solo attempts (when I was less prepared and less fit).

I've also been thinking of doing the double for a while (under 24hrs) and my personal qualification is to do it one way solo unsupported in under 12hrs. Managed this at the weekend (11h 15min on a SS).

I've been doing 24s and 12s and a number of years and I would say that the SDW is a different kettle of fish, you need to get your food right. All of my previous attempts have been thwarted by being sick at the side of the trail through eating just energy bars. Whilst with a 24 you can dip into your food box for something different.

So my advice would be to do it one way in around 11hrs and test the kit, food, preparation. Once you've done this then proceed to the next stage which is the double itself.

Ah, but a man's reach should exceed his grasp. Or what's a heaven for?

Ah, but a man's reach should exceed his grasp. Or what's a heaven for?

Depends on how long your arms are I guess...

Managed this at the weekend ([b]11h 15min on a SS[/b]).

😯

Lordy. There's something seriously wrong with people like you.....

Lordy. There's something seriously wrong with people like you...

Aye, I missed the BBB because of it (I'm the chap who did the website) but my main event this year is Kielder so it is a build up to that.

I think riding it one way in a day will answer all of your questions.

Is that you James? 😮

Interesting thread. This is what I'm attempting next year! 🙂

Yep!

I just can't imagine doing that one way, then deciding to turn around and do it again. I wouldn't have the arse or the mind power to consider it. I found it mind numbing enough one way. Huge respect to anyone who attempts that, you're in a different place to me.

Ride it one way, that's the only way you will know whether you could do it all again - straight away! Keep us updated, and best of luck!

I say go for it

FWIW
I've done a BHF one way ride when 40, pretty unfit and unprepared (it was well over twice as far as I'd ever ridden in 1 trip and more than I'd ever ridden in any week of my life, I reckon).

I was on an unsuitably "all mountain" bike and it was very wet/muddy for 1st half, though we had a strong partial tailwind too. We got a bit of support in terms of water & flapjack I think at a couple of points (mainly to prevent queues at taps I guess), but I finished with some of my own food left so could've done just as well without the help I think.

I walked up a couple of steeper bits of the later climbs and we took about 13hrs. I genuinely can't remember the last 20 miles or so, apart from getting off the route at 1 point and then the final downhill to Eastbourne.

I'd agree with the above about satnav - getting lost can REALLY piss you off as it's always back up a hill isn't it 😥 . We had paper maps but went wrong twice quite badly and a couple of other minor ones and this was on a day when there were loads of riders around.

I'm no great athlete but I reckon that if I rode as much as you seem to, I could get myself to a standard where I [b]could[/b] do both ways in 24hr [b]if everything went perfectly[/b] (dry, still, cool, no equipment failures)

Why not wait until you get your 'standard' replica sorted and then do it on that? Would surely be a first especially in the required period costume! I'd certainly come down with you to lend assistance and support!

you thought any more about this Graham? I'm going to recce it in a few weeks with the hope of building up to a double next year. By the time my fitness is built up to a decent level the trails will be claggy making a single direction hard going let alone the double so I will wait until next spring/summer when it fast and hopefully that wind has eased. I'm more concerned about making the double but if I finish in under the 24 hours then I would be well chuffed.

Out of interest one of the posts sauid that 7 people have tried the 24hours. I know Ibbet had proof that he did it in 24 hours but I would presume you can't just go it alone and say you've done it in under 24 hours? Is there a formal way of doing it?

[i]you can't just go it alone and say you've done it in under 24 hours?[/i]

a gps track is accepted I believe, but there's a fairly close group who are involved (see the people name checked in the link below) and they'd know who was telling porkies.

As you say, he set a new record last week - 17 hours 45 minutes.

[url= http://bikemagic.com/news/guest-blog/josh-ibbetts-record-breaking-south-downs-double-ride.html ]http://bikemagic.com/news/guest-blog/josh-ibbetts-record-breaking-south-downs-double-ride.html[/url]

I'd say conditions were near perfect this week, tbh.

Conditions will be good all week, dry, slight breeze and sunshine.

I may be able to borrow a GPS from my brother in law and to be honest I think I would want one given the stories I've read over the past couple of days that people got lost in various locations. I don't cope well with getting lost and last Sunday was no exception!!! Also don't think endomondo would be up to the task let alone my iphone battery.

I'm more concerned about completing it rather than the 24 hours but it's also the solitude that will get to me although I will no doubt talk to randoms on the trail as per usual except after dark when I will be talking to the darkness showing I'm not afraid of it... erm

wwaswas is spot on, conditions up there are as good it gets right now!

Being a bit involved and all, basically a reasonable degree of evidence is accepted for a sub-24hour claim. GPS logs are the gold standard, but pics showing the time at start, turn, and finish are pretty reasonable, pref. backed up with a bit of notification beforehand. It's not mandatory or anything like that - it's a personal challenge after all! Obviously record attempts and rides like Josh Ibbett's get a fair bit more scrutiny. Rory@Upgrade is the arbiter, but it's not like it's an 'official' event - just one, long, hard ride for the personal challenge of it.

As for the dark bit, that's always fun! Some like to get it over at the beginning, others like to leave it to the end (the imagination tends to take off after 16 hours in the saddle, so all depends how weird you want the night section to be 🙂 ).

Also worth noting that while a lot of the riders have been local, quite a few have been from further afield. Obviously racers who have done it tend to know each other from events, but otherwise it's been a pretty wide-ranging cross-section of riders.

Graham: You'd be far from the first vet! If anything, vet's have the edge in the experience and endurance needed (I was 48 when I did it, and fairly sure by no means the oldest) which made Josh's ride all the more impressive. Young 'uns these days....

One last thing: the SDD website records the people who made it (or came honourably close). At least as many again try it, and have bad luck, hit bad conditions, or just find they're not (yet) ready for it.

Who gives a dam whether anyone believes you or not. Unless your going to try and claim a record why would you need to prove what time you did it in. If you do achieve it you really won't care what anyone else thinks you'll just feel really good about having done it.

I don't really see the 24 hour thing being all that important either now that it has been done in less than 18. 24 hours was just an obvious marker for the first riders to aim at. And if 24 hours is going to be a target surely it should be within a single day starting at midnight. It doesn't matter how quick you do it if it's over 2 days you haven't done it in a day.

If you do the double no matter how long it takes you you'll have achieved something you'll be proud of for the rest of your life.

I'm not too worried about doing it in 24 hours and think I may have some troubles unless I can educate myself to eat when required and not when Im close to collapse. If I do it I would like some kind evidence as I would do it for charity. I'll be doing it one way before the year is out so will be getting an idea of the route as that is my primary concern without a GPS.