Want to ride the South Downs Way in a day and a half in the next couple of weeks. Do I really need maps or should I just rely on iphone and the signage?

Yes. There’s more than 1 track. I always get a little bit lost.

take a map. Signage is mostly good with a few ‘where do I go from here’ moments.

Get the Harvey Maps version and the whole route is on one piece of paper.

Thanks for the advice.

Google for it, there is a site for cycling it that has lots of info on things like pubs, water taps etc. Its pretty easy to follow the signs, but if you miss one you could end up riding the wrong way for miles.

Take an OS map as well, just incase your phone/gps dies.

well……… you failed to find the bike forum so a map might be in order

Doubt your iphone will last long enough and google maps is not of a high enough quality. A gpx file might be better in a proper app. Maps would be my preferred option though.

Yes. Whilst it’s well signed there are plenty of places to miss them – esp travelling at speed on a bike, and when you’re crossing the main roads and need to find where to pick the path up again.
And going the wrong way can mean a ride back up a very steep hill!

Get the Harvey Maps version and the whole route is on one piece of paper

.

And it’s waterproof which might be useful. 🙂

although do take some pegs to prevent lift off.

Thanks. I ordered the harveys map.