South Downs way, end-to-end, TBC

I don't remember it being quite as 'full speed ahead' and downhill as this when I've ridden there? 😜
https://bikepacking.com/plog/south-downs-way-film/

Well now I feel like I'm no longer cool enough to ride there...

That depends...can you whip skid on grass?

Nah, I'd just giggle a lot and fall off my bike

yeah the editing is very "if four thirtysomethings went gravpacking and didn't make a video, did it even happen?"

@umop3pisdn where's the trail at 1:55?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QV2KUG1qnew

"if four thirtysomethings went gravpacking and didn't make a video, did it even happen?"

I dislike it even more now

I think it's the section after you cross the A272 at Cheesefoot Head. But not sure the cut at 2:03 is the same bit.

thanks, geograph seems to agree with you
https://m.geograph.org.uk/photo/3300144

“Gravypacking”

thats my kind of packing.

I think it's the section after you cross the A272 at Cheesefoot Head. But not sure the cut at 2:03 is the same bit.

100% it is, I've ridden that a lot.

Lael totally would

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if you think that riding on the South Downs is just romping across green and corngold whalebacked hills under big contrailed skies then think again. Not The South Downs Way follows the path less travelled and scurries you down hidden trails, through ancient tree tunnelled tracks and along the secret valleys that show a different side to the South Downs to that of the Highway which is never more than a mile or two and a world away. as such it’s a beautifully secluded ride, sandwiched between the busy coast and honeypot SDW it’s the preserve of the infrequent local dog walker, and squirrels

it’s a surprisingly wooded ride if you’re used to the imax views that unroll when you ride along the tops and unlike the barren SDW the route weaves through villages snucked into the folds of the hills so there are plenty of opportunities for resupply allowing you to travel fast and light if you want, or stop often for snacks

at 185km it’s longer than the South Downs Way but as it avoids following the high ridge of the hills and those long climbs and descents that dip in and out of the valleys there’s less altitude gain. that doesn’t mean there’s less climbing as it’s a route of continually wearing up and down with some sharp ascents sunk in the trees and several muttered oaths stings in the tail

there are some significant sections of tarmac on the route, although this is offset by appreciably more narrow rooty singletrack than the Way can offer and not much of the off-road is particularly gnar so it’s well suited to your sprightly multi-surface bicycle.

it’s a long day out in the saddle and is tiring in the way this length of hills does best, that of a gently cheerful yet perpetual series of picturesque hammer blows to the legs that dispel the myth that it’s flat down south. this might not have been the definitive route, this will make itself known in the fullness of time when curator @roryhitchens says it’s ready #ntsdw #notthesouthdownsway #southdowns #sdnp

https://www.instagram.com/p/CFxg5NRF2ez/

Parklife?

Traditional New Year's thread bump

A very late congratulations for this :-)

Well done!

I'm up for doing this later in the year.

Single or double?

Either depending on dates, work etc

Are you planning on attempting a quick one or just a big day out on the bike? It's slow up there at the moment though the low down woods are muddy the short grass is water logged in sections and the chalky stuff is slippery. I did about 60 miles on there a couple days ago. My tyre choice wasn't great though.

I live v close to SDW. I wasn't planning any speed/ time records at the no although I would like to do a timed attempt at some point in the future. I'd be happy to do a slower paced social ride later in the year. I'm only riding single speeds at the moment.

Good luck with it. It's nice riding up there at the moment though despite being a bit slow in places. I'm literally a couple of minutes from the downs at Southease and at the moment I'm able to get up there a couple of times a week for a stomp around the A283 to Eastbourne portion of it. I'll probably do the same as you a nice easy long day this lockdown now I've got time to kill and a PB attempt spring summer depending on work at the time. I've gone reasonably quick in the past so if I'm going to have a real go at it i do need to be organised and on/off lockdowns do make it difficult to plan ahead. I'll just enjoy the riding in the time being though 😁

Drop me a pm for a ride once covid chills out if you like, I live just up the road!

Nice one I'll bear that in mind and if you decide to have a crack at a quick one and need a hand pacing, carrying shit or general moral support for the later portions when things usually get tough give me a shout 👍

@Retro_bastard @sacredhart, interested to know what you'd consider a quick time for a single. Most talk re. records (FKT if you must) is about the double which isn't relatable for us mortals!