So the South Downs off road ride finally arrived.... Roy, Nick and I met on board the train from Woking to Winchester, and steeled ourselves for the 60 mile ride ahead – the first day's challenge. We left Winchester station at around 08:20, and immediately took a wrong turning!!!! We back tracked to eventually find the start of the South Downs Way. The weather was favourable, and whilst it was still early morning the sun was quite warm. We made good progress and arrived at Winchester Hill to search for the marked route to the top. We bumped into a runner looking for the same route!! Thankfully we passed him on the ascent (but more about him later!!). Just beyond Winchester hill we bumped into a couple asking the route we'd just done. After a bit of a chat we wished each other luck, and given the bloke looked a little portly, we set off quick in front of them. After about 2 miles it soon became apparent that they were not slackers – and were more than keeping up with us!!!. Being gentlemen we let them go in front, to see that the “portly” bloke was in fact riding a single speed – and was faster than we were!!! Respect!!! And his mrs was quite good too.... Riding up Salt hill, we all got stuck behind a few young riders on horses... including single speed man!! The narrow track didn't allow us to pass easily so we were comfortable behind them – gave us a bit of breathing space anyway!!! We then heard Nick deliver the loudest fart you have ever heard..... following the curry he'd had the night before. He assured us it was the horse in front of him!!! Nobody was quite sure!!!! The girls on the horse giggled!!!
We arrived at QE park after the infamous downhill – touching more than 40 miles an hour... cool!! Stopping at QE park for a bacon sarnie or two – we took a well deserved rest. Within about 15mins of sitting down, our runner friend arrived that we'd passed before!!!! and proceeded to tuck into a nice sandwich and a salad!!!! Roy asked him where he'd come from – Winchester (25miles back) and he started only 30 mins before we did!!!! About 3 hours 45mins to do 25 miles, off road up and down... respect!!! Looked as fresh as a daisy too!! and about our age. Amazing thing was he was continuing to Amberly... another 25 miles – 50 miles in total!!! BIG RESPECT!! We finished up and got on the trail before he started – save the embarrassment of him beating us to Amberly!!!!
The next 25 miles were tough – lots of flint!!! But the weather was good.
We completed the second 25 miles and arrived at Amberly to look for a quaint English tea room.... and we found one... quite by chance!!! But boy did we need it!! Banana and cherry loaf, tea cake, chocolate cake and 3 cups of English breakfast tea.... perfect!!!We headed off for the last 12 miles to the b&b and arrived at the A24 near Washington ready for the infamous climb to the Chanctonbury ring!! So far no mechanical problems through all the flint and boulders we had to negotiate, until we came across the hard smooth tarmac of the A24.. and Roy managed to get a puncture!!! How does that work then? So with only 6 miles to go to the B&B we ended up changing our first puncture.
We arrived at the B&B about 18:00 for a well deserved shower and clean up!!! Once clean we headed off to the local hostelries for a well deserved pint and some carbs!!! First pub we entered, Roy bumps into a work colleague....small world!! After getting our fill of food and beer, we set off back to the B&B... at 21:30!!! All in bed by 22:00 – well... we were tired!!!!!
Day 2
Sore legs, sore bum and back in the saddle by 09:00. We set off for the first big climb of the day, as the introduction to the 40 miles for the day. The second day is always nicer, but takes a few miles to warm up. It was cooler today – the sun hiding behind the clouds. Nick started the day with his jacket on – sensible... Roy and I succumbed to an extra layer once we arrived at Ditchling beacon. All 3 of us were flying on the second day... so much so we kept pushing the boundaries.... we made it all the way to Alfriston – about 32 miles - to discover another quaint English tea room – and a fantastic round of home made ham and tomato sandwiches!!! Just the job after 5 hours of pushing in the saddle!!!
Last two climbs and only 7.5 miles to Eastbourne... but the climb out of Alfriston was a killer – a gruelling climb on chalk and flint which seemed to go on and on and on and on.......... We all made it without getting off though – a great achievement after nearly 95 miles in the saddle!!!
We arrived in Eastbourne to the finish of the route.... shouting for Nick to come back to the official finish so we could get some pics...... he'd been so focussed on his downhill technique, he'd completely missed the sign for the finish!!!
A good ride – thanks guys....
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