South Downs way, end-to-end, TBC

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  • Ok, attempt #2 anyone?

  • Si Day on the BCC forum is looking at this too matey, he's looking at a few ways to do it with a group.

    He also has another idea about resurrecting the Hell of the North Downs if you're keen?

  • Depends when, and where I am at the time, but maybe...

  • Keen for a second attempt. Some time in June for the extra daylight perhaps ;)

  • Yes, June I think would be good. I also need to finish building my cross bike, so if we get a date in the diary that will be a good motivator.

  • Also up for this.

  • Hmm, as I'm still following this thread.....

    Maybe, if I don't think it will kill me.

  • Hmm, June not so good for me. Although I could do the middle weekend - 13th/14th - as @Cycliste will be off playing pit-lane marshal at Le Mans that weekend.

  • Also still keen - but I wouldn't want to be your sandbag again. That said, I still haven't p*nctured since - really hoping it was just a freak occurrence (but I also have some tougher tyres to throw on)!

  • Hybrid with discs and maybe some cross tyres, or 29er full sus?

  • Depending on rota (as always!) I could be in..... Probably with bikepacking kit for a night out!

  • SS rigid 29er-able? I've walked the first 25 miles but that was time ago, can't remember the terrain.

  • Definitely want to ride this route soon - just need to build up a CX bike first. HOTN was dicey enough on the road bike! My parents live quite near the east end of the route. Handy.

  • 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.

  • mentalist. I'll be attempting a single in a day today (suddenly doesn't seem like all that much of an achievement) so I should see him heading towards Winchester some time this morning.

  • Done!

    https://www.strava.com/activities/311748606

    After my luck with no flats last year I suffered three punctures this time around - perhaps I should go back to heavy Land Cruisers. Also my straddle hangers were slipping under heavy braking load, which made for some interesting descending.

    In retrospect a mountain bike would probably have been as quick, more comfortable and I'd have been able to stop.

  • Doing this tomorrow. But on a time limit, slow and camping, so might just get beyond Brighton from Winchester. Bivvi time.

  • Good luck. Weather looks awful


  • Anyone that can get the time away is welcome to join me.

    PS: Thanks to this thread I know alot more about tyres, but am no more enlightened about the route than I was when I came here. #mtb

  • Ok. How any of you did that on crossers is beyond me. I'm assuming there was a lot of pushing, followed by a lot of holding on for dear life..

  • Photos looked rad - moderately to extremely jealous

  • Lets do it again!

  • Got a link to your ride? I'd like to stare at it with green eyes.

  • Since you insist. Didn't take many tho.


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South Downs way, end-to-end, TBC

Posted by Avatar for Dammit @Dammit

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