The South Downs Way in two days - (July 4/5 2009) - Dave Robinson

For my final hard TransAlps training ride I considered having a go at the South Downs Way double in two days - Winchester to Eastbourne on day one and then back to Winchester the next day.
I didn't want to go alone and managed to talk some fellow club riders to take it in turns - riding with me one day and driving the car the next. We booked a room at the newly opened YHA right at the Eastbourne end of the ride.

Dave Billington came with me on the Saturday. An early start from home had us riding from Winchester at 7:30am in dull cool weather. He had two punctures before I managed to cut a large split in the side of my tyre. As I was making a bodge repair Dave B talked to a helpful walker who knew the whereabouts of a nearby bike shop. We had to leave the trail proper and drop down to Corrington for new tube and tyre. Back up on the downs for a late 11pm finish, in proper dark, wearing headtorches.

Nigel Sadd & Ken Snook had driven to Eastbourne early Saturday evening and we had kept in phone contact. They kindly went and got Dave B & I a take-away pizza to heat up in the YHA kitchen.
The next day Dave B drove my car back to Winchester and back into his own car to head home for a much deserved rest. Nigel, Ken and I headed back along the trail. This time there were no mechanicals, but the weather was hotter and the wind was slightly more breezy. We made good use of the water taps, that I had noted the location of the previous day and kept going quite strongly getting to Winchester just after 9pm (6:40am start).

The SDW riding is very similar to the Salisbury Plain - lots of chalk or gravel tracks. The hills are a bit steeper especially at the Eastbourne end.

I felt reasonably OK only starting to feel any tireness after 60+ miles on the second day. It remains to be seen if this was suitable training for my Alps ride. I sure hope so.

We clocked up 97miles on Saturday and 95 on Sunday. Riding time for both days was 11-1/2 hours with total height gained just under 3500 meters per day.

I've ridden the SDW (in one day) before and after this ride will give it a big tick and (probably) never do it again. Sue tells me I said that last time! As for doing the double in under 24 hours - no thank you!

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