South Downs way, end-to-end, TBC

the blue line was sweet as

Ace, good job!

I knew I'd feel sad if I checked this thread :(

Looks excellent, and I would've loved to have joined you but duty called and I had to go and do the GF Nove Colli instead, again. Also feeling quite sad having checked out the photos. Next time...

How capable of a bike do I need to do this ? 30c tyres too ambitious?

I'd think yes, Don't you still have a MTB?

No.

:(

You'd die

How capable of a bike do I need to do this ?

@Howard

30c tyres too ambitious?

Yes you'd have a shit time.

For an example of how shit that time would be, go back to the beginning of the thread, and read @Dammit 's ill fated attempt at the end to end?

It will be less comfortable. @Dammit was on a retro rigid Klein MTB and is asking about what modern mountain bike he should buy...

I think, a regular 100 - 120mm travel hard tail is the perfect general bike for this. The less bouncy from there, the more uncomfortable the more, the harder work.

If i rode this on 30mm tyres on a gravel bike with drops my wrists would be mullered after 40miles. Edit 20.

@AdsH posted back in 2016.

There's some proper hilarious stuff in there, almost 'shit fixie skidders say' quality

my 44t 11-36 was fine for the inclines

(whole distance attempt - didn't reach Brighton)

Strava tells me we did 17kph average when we were moving

(whole distance attempt - abandoned)

it's not that hard

(whole distance attempt - abandoned)

I've done it SS 32x17 on 26inch wheels

(Turns out 'it' was Eastbourne to Petersfield)

There was a stretch of about 500m in which we had probably 4 punctures between us, snake bites all over the place.

(Distance unknown, probably abandoned. edit: abandoned Brighton...from eastbourne?! )

I cried - proper tears

(Amberley -> Eastbourne -> Amberley)

I'm planning on giving this a go tomorrow.... I'm not sure if I'll make it all the way...so that was tough. I got as far as Amberley, which is halfway, then took a train home

(whole distance attempt, abandoned)

My bivvy bag accumulated some water through the small breathing hole; last night it rained on/off with some stormy periods; wet sleeping bag meant barely any sleep and a bit cold at times. So decided not to proceed to Eastbourne and got the train home.

(two day attempt, abandoned)

It does take a lot more time than you expect

.

Is it super steep? I only have an old 90's mtb with a 1x9 gearing, and my kid is a fat lump. Will I die?

.

Sorry I called earlier. Congratulations for completing.

.

Really don't want to sleep in a ditch tonight

.

just as well it wasn't a boiling hot day!

(garmin registered 30 deg at Brighton / Devils. Successful attempt)

So wanna try this on mysinglespeed cross bike!

.

Attempt aborted at the halfway mark!

(whole distance attempt, abandoned)

averaged about 6mph

(whole distance attempt, abandoned)

Amazing

I very nearly turned up on Saturday with my CX bike, what a nightmare that would of been. The SDW is seriously rough in places, I would hate to do it on anything other than an MTB.

I am glad I chose to take the mountain bike.

It will be less comfortable. @Dammit was on a retro rigid Klein MTB and is asking about what modern mountain bike he should buy...

To qualify, this is more because I was riding a close to museum grade, all-original (down to tyres, grips) piece of mountain biking history, and started to think about what it would mean to crash and snap it. With that said, I was riding a very stiff, fully rigid bike on 2.1 tyres at 45 PSI - which hit 59km/h on one of the downhills. I was gripping the saddle between my thighs, with my hands sort of cupping the grips at this point - holding on was impossible.

= A modern bike would be (much) more comfortable, I suspect.

Got it! Thanks for the lols howard.

It's not that rough. Definetly possible on a cross bike with tough tyres, some finesse and a reasonable range of gears. Probably not the best bike for the job but at least you're lugging a bit less weight up the hills.

Interesting... I can go bigger than 30, it's just that's what I have right now. Pretty sure I can get a 40 in.

doing it on anything except a MTB = a shit and hard day out.

a regular 100 - 120mm travel hard tail is the perfect general bike for this

I found the lack of rear suspension pretty awful in terms of comfort, especially as I'm not exactly svelte. A good short travel full suspension won't be bouncy, will have better traction on the climbs, and you won't be jackhammered up the arse on the rough flat bits.

Not that it wasn't doable or anything, I made it, but fuck me does everything still ache.

Also mega props to @eyebrows for somehow being a rolling supply of interesting suncreams, energy foods and biltong.

And still being faster than me up all the hills while borderline delirious

I'll lend you an MTB if you want.

I rode this on a rigid 26 with panniers.

Once.

Never again.
(Well I tried again, but didn’t get far)

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@umop3pisdn and rigid ht - hard as nails!

I may be heading down by car to do Amberley - Eastbourne and back in a while.