South Downs way, end-to-end, TBC

I'd like to cycle the South Downs way end-to-end at some point this summer, I'm starting this thread to gauge interest, and to help to plan- at the moment the date is not set, and there is nothing that (even in a bad light, from a distance) would pass as a plan.

Here is the route:

http://ridewithgps.com/routes/4736786

I'm going to ride my CX bike, as this will be mainly bridal way type riding, with some road (warning: Assumption!)

In the tradition of LFGSS, let's have a list of those interested.

1. Dammit
   

This looks really nice. However I'm not sure how I'd feel about riding that far on a mountain bike (the only bike I have that could do this ride)...

South Downs way, end-to-end ( approx 100 miles off-road? )

1. Dammit
   
2. BN ( depending on time, fitness, etc )
   

You'd need to do it the next couple of months, I think, just to ensure you have enough daylight to complete it in.

1. Dammit
   
2. BN ( depending on time, fitness, etc )
   
3. danstuff (subject to availability, timing, being in the right country etc)
   

I'm not sure how I'd feel about riding that far on a mountain bike

ahem GDR training?

;-)

1. Dammit
   
2. BN ( depending on time, fitness, etc )
   
3. danstuff (subject to availability, timing, being in the right country etc)
   
4. danb
   

1. Dammit
   
2. BN ( depending on time, fitness, etc )
   
3. danstuff (subject to availability, timing, being in the right country etc)
   
4. danb
   
5. Eyebrows (standard caveats)
   

I'd be interested if there was camping half way. Been planning on riding this with the fam over a long weekend.

1. Dammit
   
2. BN ( depending on time, fitness, etc )
   
3. danstuff (subject to availability, timing, being in the right country etc)
   
4. danb
   
5. Eyebrows (standard caveats)
   
6. lhl
   
   

Good excuse to dust off the xc machine.

quality route
did some of it as a back up to mate in 2010, do both ways?
http://southdownsdouble.net/

http://bikeitben.blogspot.co.uk/2010/06/south-downs-double.html

1. Dammit
   
2. BN ( depending on time, fitness, etc )
   
3. danstuff (subject to availability, timing, being in the right country etc)
   
4. danb
   
5. Eyebrows (standard caveats)
   
6. lhl
   
7. Dumps
   
   

Did L2B off road in Sept. Would love to do more round there.

A weekend in July for this, to maximise daylight?

I am already planning this exact trip later in the year with a couple of mates (with about the same amount of actual "planning" so far, but it will happen). My pal did it last year and said it was superb. First train of the day to Winchester, late train home from Eastbourne, epic day out. He did it on a fairly heavy duty hard tail, but this year has a more xc specific bike he'd use. I have the luxury of a CX or 29er hardtail to choose from. He said given the choice there's no way he'd do it on a CX bike as yes, it's largely fire road and bridleway rather than hardcore off road, but would still be a long day and tough on the wrists without a suspension fork.

I'd be game.

Which day would people prefer?

I had assumed that a Saturday would be the one to go for in order to avoid any "for your convenience we have cancelled the train you bought a ticket for and replaced it with a bus" nonsense.

Saturday for me for sure.

Saturdays work.

Did I miss Damnit's gravel bike thread ?

So this would be off-road? Should I bring the knackered pub bike with 32mm Marathons or the Orange MTB?

Off-road, use the Orange

Itching to.

1. Dammit
   
2. BN ( depending on time, fitness, etc )
   
3. danstuff (subject to availability, timing, being in the right country etc)
   
4. danb
   
5. Eyebrows (standard caveats)
   
6. lhl
   
7. Dumps
   
8. Sparky
   
9. KDense
   

1. Dammit
   
2. BN ( depending on time, fitness, etc )
   
3. danstuff (subject to availability, timing, being in the right country etc)
   
4. danb
   
5. Eyebrows (standard caveats)
   
6. lhl
   
7. Dumps
   
8. Sparky
   
9. KDense
   
10. Howard
    
    

Would rather Sunday pls.