Cheers James. It seemed to work out well for you ;-)

Really chuffed to hear such interest in the route…that’s very much the idea!

As dave says, yes it’s dedicated to Ivor of ex-Red Planet Bikes in Swindon. Ivor sadly died a bit over a year ago & is greatly missed.

To avoid confusion, I’ve removed the links from the GPS downloads until I have them ready :-)

dknwhy – parking at the Avebury end is right at the start of the trail. Ivinghoe Beacon also has a car park a little up the road. All very easy logistically :-)

DavidB – as per original post above, download links will be dead until I’ve completed the ride on Monday :-). I still have a bit of tidying up to do on them.

That would be ace :-) Although, assuming I start on time then I’ll be passing that point at around 7am on the way out (I’m starting at Avebury end). Tricky to guess what time I’ll be coming past!

Thanks Dan! :-)

Thanks guys. jimfrandisco – we’re in Benson :-)

jekkyl – the section of Grims Ditch near Wallingford is some of the best singletrack in the area…and bizarrely hasn’t been included on previously published “official” Ridgeway cycle routes, even though it is part of the Ridgeway. Anyway, it’s on this route :-)

drofluf – yep, far fewer gates than my previous two gate-tastic ITTs – Pennine Bridleway and SDD…thank God!! In fact, the Ridgeway has only a handful of gates. Yay! :-)

Thanks, can’t wait! :-)

Cheers Greg :-)

No link sorry, it was in the paper version of the Henley Standard today.

Looks pretty, but so does a Niner fork which weighs 100 grams less (and is probably cheaper).

Not quite as sexy as a new bike, but I’ve learned to n+1 all the other bike related gubbins too. Bib shorts are a perfect example. I think I have seven or eight flavours now in my quest for the perfect one.

Alternatively, perhaps you’re bikepacking-curious? Your race bike will be shit for that. Ta-da! New bike time!

Thanks Spacemonkey :-) Definitely worth riding this route…it’s lovely!

Hi all. In case anyone’s interested, I’ve typed up an account of my SDD ride here:

South Downs Double – It’s all about the small print[/url]

Cheers :-)

We were there. Cycled the few miles from home on empty trails, got to the Clumps at 3am and it had quite the atmosphere as clearly lots of people had been there all night (with beer & more!). Glad we got to see it as we have the cooling towers on our club kit :-)

View this post on Instagram

Our club jersey is more accurate now… 3 towers left :-)

A post shared by Mark Goldie (@mark_goldie) on Jul 27, 2014 at 2:13am PDT

We spent an afternoon in HB on our way back from the TdF a couple of weeks ago. Really liked the town. Staff at Blazing Saddles were very friendly (and incidentally build up and excellent wheel). If you like your coffee then a huge recommendation for Cafe Solo… Best flat white I’ve had anywhere.

Ok, the typical “I love my bike” response, but… I really love my Supersix Himod Red. Super stiff and fast, but bizarrely comfortable on 200+ milers. It’s admittedly a bit garish and says “Cannondale” four or five times too often on the frame, but if it broke I’d probably go straight out and get another one.

Thanks Brassneck :-)

Mike…Neil & Rory seem to be looking after the website together, although I think plans are afoot for a refresh of the site.

Well done on finishing, Brakes :-). Considering the forecast it sounds like you were lucky to escape with only a little bit of rain. Although, I suppose a bit of rain might have cooled you down a bit!

Cheers guys (oh, and Elaine) :-) . I definitely made the right decision to move the ride forward a couple of days…biblical storm last night (so says my wife…I was sleeping like the dead!) and clearly the same along the route. I feel for the BHF riders..just missed the lovely weather but now it’s looking like they’re going to get stormed on tomorrow :-( .

Thanks guys :-) Beer is tasting very good!

Thanks all! :-) I was lucky to have some great conditions, if a bit hot today. I had a tough/slow couple of hours at the turn, and predictably did lose some time to navigation, but I’m pretty happy with a sub-20 hr time. Some beautiful views during the ride, particularly the pockets of mist dotted around far below me this morning as I headed back west. Wildwife is rife up there…3 foxes, 3 badgers, hares, deer, millions of suicidal bunnies etc. Bum is now firmly planted on sofa awaiting Thai takeaway and a beer :D .

Have decided to start late afternoon tomorrow (Wednesday). Selma is ready to go… :-)

An SPD pedal makes an excellent bottle opener.

Lots of sandy beaches in the far west around Arisaig. Decent camp site here: http://www.road-to-the-isles.org.uk/accommodation-details.php?id=27

For a little adventure, you could take the ferry from Mallaig over to Inverie. Some lovely trails (walking or cycling) eastwards from there, and nice & remote.

DrP…I enjoyed that, cheers. Those pictures just make me want to go and ride it now!! Also trying to resist Googling Kinesis Tripster ATR :D

Sidi megas for my wide feet. After trying loads of different makes, the Sidis were a revelation. Very tough too… Have survived far more mountainous hike-a-bike than any stiff soled bike shoes should be expected to.

Cheers Nick. We’re talking about the singlespeed record though, which I’m pretty sure Rob still has. I’m far too old and slow to have a realistic punt at Josh’s time (and probably Rob’s too!) :-)

Good stuff, thanks adsh :-). Rain-wise it’s looking ok until Friday so no worries there. I’m now considering a Wed afternoon start as the winds pick up a bit later on. Just have to wangle it with work now :-)

Oh, Rob D’s record sounds extremely fast to me :-). Thanks for the tip about those junctions, I’ve added a couple of notes to my route. I’m not sure the extra food/water stops would be entirely in the spirit of an unsupported double attempt :-)

Excellent, I’ll have a read of that. I hadn’t noticed Chris had recently ridden it…I’ll tap him up for some info :-).

hehe yes that was a little close :-)

Not sure I’ll get the chance to do the TCW again this year…although I might try & do something long on the weekend of Sep 13/14 in the run up to the world 24hr thingy…

Chris – got your email, will reply in a bit :-)

Thanks m1kea. Excellent ride there, and a good lack of time spent faffing instead of riding (often my downfall!)

FFS! Thanks for the spoiler. :evil:

Brilliant, thanks guys! Enjoy :D

Yeah, same gate hell on the Pennine Bridleway ride I did last year. Hateful things, but I suppose it’d be chaos in the countryside if all those sheep & cows could wander wherever they liked ;-)

Thousands you say? Ok then, my ride has just moved forward 24 hours!! Thanks for the info!

Yep no idea on numbers. If our paths do cross my brain will probably be mush so apologies in advance! Of course, I’m riding unsupported so “help” isn’t allowed :-)

richardthird…point taken on the prevailing winds, but logistics dictate a Winchester start. I may live to regret it…

Thanks D, much appreciated! Tough target indeed…if I’m honest probably not realistic, but gotta have a stretch goal ;-). Most doublers seem to still use the “classic” route for serious attempts. I’ve been e-chatting with Neil Newell and he’s going to confirm the route that Rob D took so it’s a level playing field.

Trans Cambrian…sure thing. I no longer hold the one-way record on it (mine was always a soft record anyway) but it’s a fun ride for sure. Not easy to navigate though. I quite fancy having a go at the TCW double sometime…I think it’s still only Ian B who’s had a pop at that. Only to be considered in dry conditions though!!

Best thing I did for this was get measured up on the Specialized arse-o-meter. Turns out I was riding a saddle that was too narrow for my rs.

Best of luck with your ride, Purbeckian :-). Riding the return leg with a bunch of other people is a nice idea, but I wonder if it’s the quickest way of doing things…more fun sure, but I’d have thought getting caught up in a constant stream of riders might not be a recipe for a fast time.