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I've done the east half (Amberly to Eastbourne) and back which I'm told is harder than the other end.
It's not so much that the hills are steep (which they are) or long (which they are) but that they just keep on coming. My 29er FS is currently set up with a 1x10 30T front 11-36 rear which I think is verging on marginal for me for SDW as I was very glad of 24t granny and 36 in some places.
SS rigid 29er-able? I've walked the first 25 miles but that was time ago, can't remember the terrain.